West Virginia Department of Human Services Archives - Mountain State Spotlight

Foster care, News, West Virginia Legislature

Lawmakers fill some foster care gaps after Mountain State Spotlight investigation revealed the state is failing kids

by Erica Peterson March 17th, 2026

After Mountain State Spotlight reporting, West Virginia lawmakers passed bills expanding support for foster youth and kinship caregivers.

Statehouse Spotlight

Will Morrisey’s foster care plan fix a broken system? Here’s what our investigation found.

by Erica Peterson February 26th, 2026February 26th, 2026

Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s signature foster care proposal won’t fix West Virginia’s troubled child welfare system

by Erica Peterson February 25th, 2026February 25th, 2026

West Virginia Legislature

Relatives who take care of foster kids could get financial support from the state more quickly under new proposal

by Erin Beck February 12th, 2026February 12th, 2026

West Virginia Legislature

State lawmaker proposes help connecting foster kids to more resources following Mountain State Spotlight investigation

by Erica Peterson and Henry Culvyhouse February 5th, 2026February 6th, 2026

Statehouse Spotlight

West Virginia’s child care crisis is keeping parents from working. Here are three ways lawmakers could help.

by Tre Spencer January 29th, 2026January 29th, 2026

West Virginia got federal money to help foster kids succeed as adults. The state sent millions of dollars back.

by Erica Peterson December 16th, 2025December 16th, 2025

Economic Justice

West Virginia child care providers say state funding change will trigger more closures

by Tre Spencer October 30th, 2025

‘An ecosystem of dysfunction’: West Virginia still has a child welfare worker shortage, and it’s taking a toll on foster kids and families

by Erica Peterson January 30th, 2025February 26th, 2026

News

West Virginia’s foster care system depends on grandfamilies. It does little to support their mental health needs.

by Erin Beck January 29th, 2025July 30th, 2025