West Virginia Code of State Rules Agency 79 - Children And Youth Commission
West Virginia Children and Youth Commission (Agency 79) – Overview
The Children and Youth Commission (CYC) is a state agency in West Virginia focused on the welfare, protection, and well-being of children. Its rules define the organization, duties, responsibilities, and procedures to ensure the safety and development of children in the state.
1. Purpose and Mission
Mission: To protect children from abuse, neglect, and exploitation, while promoting their health, safety, education, and overall well-being.
Goals:
Ensure safe and stable environments for children.
Support families in providing care and guidance to their children.
Oversee programs and policies that affect child welfare statewide.
Scope: Covers services for children at risk, foster care, adoption, and family support programs.
2. Organizational Structure
Governing Body: The CYC is led by a Commission, which sets policies, rules, and overall direction for the agency.
Executive Leadership: A Director or Executive Secretary manages day-to-day operations.
Regional Offices: The agency operates through regional and local offices to ensure statewide coverage.
Staff Composition: Includes social workers, case managers, administrative personnel, and other specialists trained in child welfare.
3. Responsibilities of the Commission
Policy Development
Establish policies and procedures for child protection and family support services.
Ensure policies are consistent with agency goals and best practices in child welfare.
Oversight and Supervision
Supervise local child welfare offices and service providers.
Monitor programs, including foster care, adoption, and family support services, to ensure compliance with agency rules.
Program Administration
Develop and implement programs to prevent child abuse and neglect.
Provide support for foster families, adoption services, and family preservation programs.
Evaluation and Reporting
Evaluate effectiveness of programs and services.
Submit regular reports on child welfare statistics, outcomes, and agency activities.
4. Services Provided
Child Protection Services
Investigation of reports of abuse or neglect.
Intervention and support for children in unsafe environments.
Coordination with law enforcement and other agencies when necessary.
Foster Care Services
Placement of children in temporary foster homes when families cannot safely care for them.
Support and training for foster parents.
Monitoring of foster placements to ensure child safety and well-being.
Adoption Services
Facilitate adoption for children unable to return to their biological families.
Support prospective adoptive parents through screening, training, and placement.
Post-adoption services to ensure stability.
Family Support and Preservation
Programs to help families prevent the need for foster care.
Counseling, education, and resource referral for at-risk families.
Intervention strategies to strengthen family units.
5. Eligibility for Services
Children under 18 years old (or 21 in certain circumstances) who are at risk of abuse, neglect, or abandonment.
Families in need of support to provide safe and stable care for their children.
Prospective foster or adoptive parents seeking to provide care for children.
6. Case Management and Procedures
Intake
Reports of abuse, neglect, or family crisis are received and screened.
Assessment determines if intervention or services are required.
Investigation
Social workers investigate claims to determine risk and safety needs.
Gather information from families, schools, medical professionals, and other sources.
Intervention
Removal of children from unsafe environments if necessary.
Placement in foster care, kinship care, or temporary housing programs.
Service Planning
Develop individualized service plans for children and families.
Include goals, responsibilities, timelines, and monitoring methods.
Review and Monitoring
Regular case reviews to ensure children’s needs are met.
Adjustment of service plans as required.
Reporting to the Commission on outcomes and progress.
7. Oversight and Accountability
Internal Oversight: Regional directors monitor staff performance and adherence to rules.
Audits and Reporting: The agency conducts regular reviews of programs and services for efficiency and compliance.
Public Accountability: Reports may be provided to the state government on children’s welfare, service outcomes, and program effectiveness.
8. Key Principles
Child Safety First: Protection of children is the highest priority in all decisions.
Family-Centered Approach: Services aim to support families whenever possible, preserving family unity.
Professionalism: Staff must adhere to ethical and professional standards in all dealings with children and families.
Equity and Accessibility: All eligible children and families must have access to services regardless of background.
Continuous Improvement: Programs and policies are regularly evaluated and improved based on outcomes and best practices.
In summary, Agency 79 – Children and Youth Commission establishes a comprehensive system in West Virginia to protect children, support families, and oversee programs that ensure the safety and development of vulnerable youth. It covers policy-making, case management, foster and adoption services, family support, and accountability measures.
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