When government agencies fail to protect vulnerable children, it’s not just a policy issue — it’s a life-or-death matter. That’s why West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey says he’s stepping in with bold reforms aimed at fixing long-standing issues in the state’s foster care system and Child Protective Services (CPS).
Last week, Morrisey unveiled six critical steps that the Department of Human Services (DoHS) will be required to implement. These changes focus on improving transparency, public communication, caseworker training, and how investigations are handled. At the heart of it all is a goal that Morrisey says can’t wait any longer: keeping children safe.
“We know it was difficult to hear about many of the issues that could’ve been prevented with better communication, fewer bureaucratic barriers, or stronger tools for CPS workers,” Morrisey said. “These problems have gone on for far too long, and it’s the kids who suffer the most. That’s unacceptable.”
One of the most important changes will increase public transparency following child fatalities or near-death cases tied to abuse or neglect. Morrisey said the public will now be given more specific information, including the child’s age and sex, what prior reports or investigations had been made, and how state services were (or weren’t) delivered in response.
This is a major shift from the way things were handled in the past — particularly in the wake of 14-year-old Kyneddi Miller’s tragic death. Former DoHS Secretary Cynthia Persily was criticized for withholding details that the public had a right to know.
“There was no excuse — I repeat, no excuse — to hide that information from the public,” Morrisey said. “We’re doing things differently now. We’ll be as open and honest with West Virginians as the law allows.”
Morrisey’s plan is not just about being transparent; it’s about rebuilding trust and taking real action to protect kids. These reforms are meant to break a harmful cycle of delay and denial that has plagued West Virginia’s child welfare system for years.
While the full list of changes is still unfolding, Morrisey made one thing clear: this is just the beginning. If these steps are carried out with a sincere focus on child safety, they could prevent future tragedies — and potentially save lives.
