Bill > HB4796

This bill establishes a "Central Reception Center," a dedicated facility for children in foster care needing short-term supervision and assessment while awaiting placement, and "Emergency Resource Homes," which are specially trained foster homes providing immediate overnight care. The bill mandates that the West Virginia Department of Human Services contract with at least two central reception centers that will operate 24/7, offering supervised care, behavioral assessment and stabilization services (crisis intervention and support for mental or behavioral health issues), case coordination, and necessary educational and medical support, with children not to exceed a 72-hour stay before being moved to an emergency resource home or other suitable placement. Furthermore, the bill requires the Department of Human Services to expand recruitment of emergency resource homes, providing their parents with specialized training in trauma-informed care and crisis intervention, offering financial incentives, and ensuring 24/7 crisis response support, with a priority on recruiting homes for adolescents, justice-involved youth, and children with special needs, and the Department will report annually to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources regarding the program's effectiveness and progress.

Health and Social Services

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4796&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill