Bill > SB99

This bill aims to improve the assessment and handling of child welfare cases by introducing new tools and processes. It defines "family assessment response" as a family-centered approach to selected reports of child abuse and neglect, focusing on the family's strengths and needs, and "investigative assessment response" as a formal process to determine if a child is abused or neglected. The bill mandates the Bureau for Social Services to use a "system of differential response," meaning they will categorize reports based on their severity and use appropriate tools like screening tools to analyze risk factors such as prior involvement with child protective services and the age of the child. This system will help determine whether to conduct an investigative assessment, a family assessment, or refer cases for prevention services. Additionally, the bill requires the child welfare data dashboard to be updated more frequently and include information on child fatalities and near fatalities, as well as workforce data, to enhance transparency and system-wide reporting.

Health and Social Services

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=99&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill