Foster Care

There are problems in out-of-state group homes. West Virginia officials say they are going to ‘ensure this doesn’t happen again.’

On this West Virginia Morning, we learn about standards for a flatwater trail system in West Virginia. Also, in this show, a temporary moratorium against pushing foster children out of care after their 18th birthday has expired, and the first set of West Virginia lawmakers will begin this week the once-each-decade process of redistricting.

Foster children are at a significantly higher risk of developing mental and physical health problems than those who haven't been in the system — challenges West Virginia kids are already more likely to confront compared with their peers elsewhere.

At a critical time for West Virginia’s foster care system, the state faces two key shortages: It doesn't have enough Child Protective Service workers, the employees responsible for checking on the safety and well being of the kids. And there aren’t enough foster families.

When major problems — including abuse and neglect — come to light, the state doesn’t always immediately move kids to safety. West Virginia officials tasked with foster kids’ care won’t answer questions about how they vet out-of-state facilities or how often they check on the kids living there.

This week on Inside Appalachia, we talk with folks who are planting seeds of change — literally and figuratively. While many are finding joy through their gardens and food work, there are some people in Appalachia who are going through some of the most challenging times of their lives.

The pandemic has reshaped our world in many ways. Can you remember what life was like before you wore a mask to the grocery store? This has been a historic year for so many people, and we wanted to mark the moment. Let’s be clear, the pandemic isn’t over yet. But it’s good to think back on how far we’ve come. In this week’s episode of Inside Appalachia, we check back in with some of the people we've had on our show over the past year, and hear how they're doing now.

On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia’s foster care system has been overrun in recent years. We explore how deep trauma has affected children in foster care and how some struggle to find their place as they age out of the system. Also, we bring you a conversation with author Charles Dodd on his new novel “How Fire Runs,” and we have the latest coronavirus news in the state.

If you live in Appalachia, or for that matter, if you’ve ever lived in Appalachia, you are a part of our family. It defines us.

On this West Virginia Morning, we look at West Virginia’s overburdened foster care system and how the U.S. Department of Justice has been working with state officials for years to try to improve conditions. Also, we bring you this week’s Mountain Stage Song of the Week from songwriter Sam Beam.