The federal government's dereliction allows states to fall short on meeting minimum child welfare standards. Below is information specific to West Virginia:

CFSR Results Summary: In its Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) process, HHS determines whether each state is in substantial conformity with 7 specific outcomes (pertaining to the areas of safety, permanency and family and child well-being) and 7 systemic factors (relating to the quality of services delivered to children and families and the outcomes they experience).  In the first two rounds of the CFSR, HHS has concluded that West VIrginia was:

Round 1 (2002)

• NOT in substantial conformity with 7 of the 7 Outcomes
• NOT in substantial conformity with 1 of the 7 Systemic Factors

Round 2 (2009)   

• NOT in substantial conformity with 7 of the 7 Outcomes
• NOT in substantial conformity with 3 of the 7 Systemic Factors

Although federal law mandates that any state found not to be operating in substantial conformity during an initial or subequent review must begin a full review within two years after approval of the state's program improvement plan, HHS has announced that West VIrginia will not undergo Round 3 of the CFSR until FY 2017 (see CFSR Technical Bulletin #7 (March 2014)).

Documents from the U.S. Health & Human Services Children's Bureau

• Child and Family Services Review Reports and Results
  
  
  • West Virginia Performance Improvement Plan (Round 2)
  • Final Report: West Virginia Child and Family Services Review, 2009 (Round 2)
  • West Virginia Performance Improvement Plan (Round 1)
  • Final Report: West Virginia Child and Family Services Review, 2002 (Round 1)
• Title IV-E State Reports and Program Improvement Plans (PIPs)
  
  
  • Initial Primary (FY 2000)
  • Primary Review (FY 2003)
  • PIP
  • Secondary Review (FY 2005)
  • Primary Review (FY 2008)
  • Report Addendum
  • Subsequent Primary Review (FY 2011)
  • PIP
  • Secondary Review (FY 2014)
• Other Documents / Reports
  
  
  • West Virginia AFCARS Assessment Review (2003)
  • West Virginia section from HHS' Child Welfare Outcomes, 2009-2012, Report to Congress

Child Welfare In the News**

• Parents' rights focus of new House bill
  Beckley Register-Herald - January 25, 2015
  West Virginia House of Delegates Majority Leader Daryl Cowles, R-Morgan, has introduced two bills that he hopes will at the very least start a conversation about parents' rights and foster children's rights.
  
• Text of Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin's State of the State address
  Charleston Gazette - January 14, 2015
  "As we expand opportunities for our kids to succeed, child welfare reforms are critical to keeping our children safe at home. With this in mind, I've directed the Department of Health and Human Resources to work together with Workforce West Virginia to help parents find stable employment to support their families."
  
• Editorial: Agencies step up efforts in fighting abuse of children
  Herald Dispatch - November 25, 2014
  Curbing sexual child abuse cannot rely on the authorities alone. People in certain professions, such as teachers and doctors, are required to report any suspected abuse of children under their care or supervision. But the public at large also should be attuned to any signs that a child may be abused or neglected and report any suspicions to police.
  

**news summaries taken from daily newsfeed service of HHS' Child Welfare Information Gateway