People involved in various aspects of the state’s child welfare system turned out to share their experiences and concerns with the West Virginia Department of Human Services in a series of extensive listening sessions last month.

They were foster and adoptive parents, biological parents and youth who’ve been in the system. A total of eight sessions were held in Hurricane, Beckley, Wheeling, Parkersburg, Burlington, Philippi, Martinsburg and Morgantown. Nearly 460 people came, representing 42 counties.

“When we would talk to the different groups during the different sessions, that’s one thing I emphasized with them was, ‘We’re really looking for the solution, and how the impact of people’s experiences and exposure to the child welfare system can help inform that work,’” said DoHS Secretar

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