Bill > HB4730

This bill mandates that by January 1, 2027, the Department of Human Services in West Virginia must create and maintain a comprehensive system of services and support for young people transitioning out of foster care, often referred to as "aging out." This system, called a "continuum of services," will be developed with input from service providers and individuals who have experienced foster care, ensuring it addresses housing, employment, education, and other essential needs. The bill specifies that this continuum must be in place before youth leave foster care and be available statewide, offering different levels of support and supervision as youth work towards becoming self-sufficient. Key components include three phases of living arrangements, training in life skills, and a structured payment system for providers that considers varying needs, aims to maximize federal funding (specifically Title IV-E, a federal program supporting low-income families and children), includes cost-of-living adjustments, and provides a monthly stipend to youth for housing expenses. The department will also implement a process for ongoing evaluation and improvement of these services, reporting annually to a legislative committee on their effectiveness and funding.

Health and Social Services

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4730&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill