Latest news with #LEAD
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Morrisey announces foster care reforms, promises transparency as struggling system moves forward
Gov. Patrick Morrisey on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, announced a series of reforms that he said will end 'years of bureaucratic stonewalling' from within the state's troubled foster care agency and begin a 'new era of transparency.' (West Virginia Office of Gov. Patrick Morrisey video screenshot) Following years of issues within the state's foster care system, Gov. Patrick Morrisey on Wednesday announced a series of reforms that he said will end 'years of bureaucratic stonewalling' from within the agency and begin a 'new era of transparency.' The proposed changes are partially the result of a statewide listening tour, where Morrisey and other officials — including the new Department of Human Services Secretary Alex Mayer — heard from residents on challenges they've faced from the state agency in charge of child welfare. At those listening sessions, West Virginians shared stories lamenting lack of communication from the state's Child protective Services workers and other issues that have occurred due to the system being inconsistent, short on staff and offering limited support for many traumatized children. The reforms announced by Morrisey on Wednesday include: Having DoHS fully comply with the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act and follow federal guidelines requiring the public disclosure of key information in child abuse or neglect cases resulting in fatalities or near fatalities Overhauling the state's Child Welfare Dashboard to make it easier to interpret and more user friendly Requiring supervisors to conduct monthly reviews with their child welfare cases and work with the governor's office to identify opportunities for improvement. The state will also launch a department-wide 'Leadership Education and Development' (LEAD) initiative to train DoHS supervisors. Creating a Critical Incident Review Team that will conduct a 'deeper dive' into any critical incident that occurs Introducing a Comprehensive Practice Model to provide a framework that can be standardized across the state Allowing caseworkers to gather more comprehensive information on cases rather than relying solely on the referral process There are currently more than 6,100 children in West Virginia's foster care system. That number has skyrocketed during the state's drug crisis. The state's high poverty rate has contributed to the number, as well. The new reforms as well as the recent statewide listening sessions were initiated after several high-profile incidents of child abuse and mistreatment occured in West Virginia in recent years. Reporters investigating the incidents were often stonewalled by the state government, unable to get information about the events or the circumstances that led up to them. 'In previous years, the state stonewalled about the status of children in its care — and that changes now,' Morrisey said on Wednesday. 'We are rolling up our sleeves and getting to work. West Virginians deserve a child welfare system that is transparent, accountable and always puts the safety of children first.' Morrisey appointed Mayer to oversee DoHS in January. The 37-year-old came to the Mountain State from South Dakota, where he worked for the state government on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the child welfare system. Before getting involved in state government, Mayer was adopted. He spent time in the military before working at a residential facility serving people with severe mental illnesses. In an interview with West Virginia Watch earlier this month, Mayer said he was focusing his first few months on learning where and how the state could increase specialized care for children who need additional services, increase consistency in the state agency's processes and recruiting foster families to help care for children already in the system. This legislative session, lawmakers — who have struggled in recent years to get a handle on DoHS spending — allocated more than $300 million to foster care. The 2026 budget bill mandated that the agency spend some money on designated line items to prevent it from shifting money around to pay bills. But Morrisey vetoed that idea, saying it was too restrictive for DoHS. Morrisey — who made reigning in state spending a key tenet of his first legislative session as governor — also vetoed line item funding for programs that support foster children as well as babies born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. Mayer said he doesn't believe that more funding will solve the issues clearly present in West Virginia's child welfare system. Instead, he said, the state will likely rely on partnerships with the faith-based community, businesses and others that provide services to help children and families. On Wednesday, Mayer said he realized that change is long overdue for both the state's children and the adults who attempt to care for them. 'For far too long, we've asked families and frontline professionals to navigate a system that has not kept pace with the complexities our families and children face today. That must change,' Mayer said. 'We are listening — intentionally — and using that feedback to shape a more responsive, accountable and transparent system built on trust.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Morgantown announces alternative sentencing program for camping ban
A homeless camping ban will go into effect in Morgantown, on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Voters rejected repealing the camping ban ordinance in April. (Getty Images) As an ordinance aimed at prohibiting homeless people from sleeping on public property goes into effect in Morgantown, the city announced Tuesday an alternative sentencing program for enforcing the camping ban. Morgantown's camping ban goes into effect Thursday, 30 days after the city's residents voted 986 to 905 against repealing the ordinance during its election April 29. According to a news release Tuesday from the city, beginning June 4, the city is launching the sentencing program with Valley Healthcare Systems, a provider of mental health, substance use treatment, housing services and case management. Valley Healthcare Systems will be contracted through the city to 'conduct assessments and guide individuals toward support systems that address housing instability and offer recovery options,' the city said in a news release. The organization will help define the requirements of completing the alternative sentencing program under the ordinance, the city said. 'City staff and administration are committed to enforcing all local provisions, laws, and ordinances with fairness and objectivity,' Brad Riffe, the city's public relations and communications director, said in the news release. 'Our responsibility is to apply these regulations as written, ensuring accountability while always acting in the best interest of the entire community. We will always strive to balance compliance with compassion and any strategy we follow will reflect a model that offers consideration to all citizens.' The alternative sentencing program will be similar to the West Virginia Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program, a diversion program for low-level offenses that are often related to substance use or mental health issues that allows offenders to get treatment or recovery services, the news release said. 'We're proud to partner with the City of Morgantown to help develop meaningful alternatives for individuals cited under the new ordinance or anyone for that matter,' Steve Bennett, director of the LEAD program and crisis services for Valley HealthCare Systems, said in the news release. 'By connecting people to housing, treatment, and long-term support, especially those struggling with substance use disorders, we can reduce repeated offenses, improve public safety, and offer individuals a real path toward stability and recovery.' Bennett did not immediately return an email seeking more information. According to the ordinance, people who violate the ban are first given a warning and information about shelter, second violations are subject to up to a $200 fine, and a third violation within 12 months may result in a fine of up to $500 or 30 days in jail along with information about available shelter and alternative sentencing options. Morgantown City Council originally passed the ordinance in September. The Morgantown Coalition for Housing Action successfully petitioned the city council to reconsider the ordinance by repealing it or putting it on the ballot for voters to decide. Council members chose the latter, and city voters upheld the ban. Proponents of the law have said homeless people sleeping in public areas is a health and safety issue. Opponents of the ordinance have pointed out that the city does not have enough emergency housing beds for the 100 homeless people that were counted in Monongalia County during the 2024 point in time count, and that the camping ban does not address the cause of homelessness. Morgantown is one of dozens of cities around the country that have implemented camping bans after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a similar ban in Grants Pass, Oregon last summer. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Dominion Post
4 days ago
- Health
- Dominion Post
City brings in Valley HealthCare for camping ban sentencing program
Morgantown City Hall MORGANTOWN — The city of Morgantown is finalizing the implementation of Ordinance No. 2024–29, which establishes Article 1157 of the City Code, titled 'Camping on Public Property.' The ordinance makes camping on public property unlawful and outlines citable offenses while prioritizing service-oriented responses for citizens in violation of the ordinance. Beginning June 4, the city will launch an alternative sentencing program in partnership with Valley HealthCare Systems, a local provider specializing in mental health, substance use treatment, housing services, and case management. For decades, the organization has served West Virginia, and it is now a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) in accordance with federal law. Serving as a third-party provider contracted by the city, Valley HealthCare Systems will conduct assessments and guide individuals toward support systems that address housing instability and offer recovery options. Their expertise and already established working relationships with community and regional service providers will enable the identification of additional service opportunities as well. Through this partnership, the city will be advised on best practices in connecting citizens in need of help with substance abuse, mental health, or case management to return to stable housing. The organization will also help define the requirements for successfully completing alternative sentencing under the ordinance. The initiative aims to address one of the most complex social crises facing Morgantown by offering accountability and opportunity through evidence-based programing. Brad Riffee, Public Relations and Communications Director for the City of Morgantown, emphasized the city's dedication to upholding local laws and regulations. 'City staff and administration are committed to enforcing all local provisions, laws, and ordinances with fairness and objectivity,' Riffee said. 'Our responsibility is to apply these regulations as written, ensuring accountability while always acting in the best interest of the entire community. We will always strive to balance compliance with compassion and any strategy we follow will reflect a model that offers consideration to all citizens.' The program will adopt a model similar to the West Virginia Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (WV LEAD) Program. LEAD is a pre-booking diversion program that allows law enforcement to redirect individuals engaged in low-level offenses, often related to substance use or mental health challenges, away from the criminal justice system and into treatment and recovery services. The city hopes to incorporate elements of this model to offer the best alternative sentencing options to its citizens. Steve Bennett, Director of the LEAD Program and Crisis Services and the primary point of contact for Valley HealthCare Systems, reported that the program had a 60% success rate in the region in its first year. 'We're proud to partner with the city of Morgantown to help develop meaningful alternatives for individuals cited under the new ordinance or anyone for that matter,' Bennett said. 'By connecting people to housing, treatment, and long-term support, especially those struggling with substance use disorders, we can reduce repeated offenses, improve public safety, and offer individuals a real path toward stability and recovery.' The goals of the LEAD program include: – Saving lives by returning citizens to a more stable lifestyle – Decreasing recidivism – Providing better access to mental health services and housing options – Improving community and police relations – Reducing opioid overdose deaths by connecting citizens to treatment facilities Individuals cited for violating Article 1157 are eligible for alternative sentencing if they seek assistance with substance use, mental health, or housing-related case management. Valley HealthCare Systems will assist in developing and managing the alternative sentencing program. Under the ordinance: – A first violation results in a written warning and information about available shelter and services, both locally and regionally. – A second violation may result in a fine of up to $200 and information about available shelter and services. – A third violation within 12 months may result in a fine of up to $500 and/or up to 30 days in jail, along with information about available shelter and services and alternative sentencing options. Each day a violation continues is considered a separate offense. No citation or penalty will be issued unless the individual has been offered alternative shelter and has refused it. In a statement, Morgantown Chief of Police Eric Powell noted that this ordinance does not alter how city departments or officials interact with the public or individuals who are currently unsheltered. 'Morgantown remains committed to compassionate engagement, connecting individuals with treatment programs, housing services, and healthcare resources,' Powell said. 'For over two years, the city has employed a full-time social worker who supports our law enforcement officers in providing direct assistance to individuals in need. In partnership with the Morgantown Police Department (MPD), the city plans to hire two additional peer recovery specialists or case managers to expand intervention and follow-up services.' Powell continued to share additional thoughts about what he calls a service-driven approach to public safety. 'By prioritizing appropriate responses and resource accessibility through real collaborative partnerships like the one we are implementing, we can create lasting positive change while maintaining public safety,' Powell added. 'At the end of the day this is our goal. We care about everyone.' MPD's Police Social Worker, Kelly Rice, LICSW, was hired in 2023 to provide direct service and outreach to individuals who are facing crisis. Rice is a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in working with citizens who need mental health treatment, housing coordination, domestic violence support services, substance use disorder treatment, and trauma informed care. She also has significant experience with victim impact and crisis intervention. Since the beginning of the year, Rice has responded to more than 180 service calls with MPD. In 2025 alone, she has made 17 shelter referrals, coordinated more than 36 responses to mental health and treatment calls, completed seven disability assessments for the West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness (WVCEH), assisted in six mental hygiene hearings, and reported to Child Protective Services (CPS). 'When people wake up in the morning, they don't say, 'Hey, I think it's a good idea to be unsheltered or develop substance use disorders,'' Rice said. 'Street outreach has taught me that hundreds of factors can contribute to why an individual might be living outside. These added resources to the department and other meaningful partnerships will only strengthen our mission to get people to a safer and healthier place.' The city is in the process of posting signage in prominent locations that will help direct citizens to the appropriate contacts if they are actively living outside. Using the city's Pathways to Help platform, the municipality hopes to guide citizens to resources they can utilize to obtain help. The goal of Pathways to Help is to provide assistance to those in hardship by connecting individuals with essential resources that will meet their needs or the needs of others. By utilizing services like West Virginia 211 (WV 211) to link members of the community with local providers that offer lifesaving and life-changing services in Morgantown and across the state, citizens are more likely to receive help that meets their specific needs promptly, reduces barriers to access, and improves their overall well-being and stability. Other local agencies providing assistance to those in hardship include Catholic Charities, Lauren's Wish, Rape & Domestic Violence Information Center (RDVIC), Project Rainbow, The Salvation Army, Christian Help, and many others. Community members can inquire about shelter services by contacting Grace Shelter at 681-867-1002. In the event of an emergency, always remember to call 911. For non-emergency related issues, call 304-599-6382.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
City brings in Valley HealthCare for camping ban sentencing program
May 27—MORGANTOWN — The city of Morgantown is finalizing the implementation of Ordinance No. 2024 — 29, which establishes Article 1157 of the City Code, titled "Camping on Public Property." The ordinance makes camping on public property unlawful and outlines citable offenses while prioritizing service-oriented responses for citizens in violation of the ordinance. Beginning June 4, the city will launch an alternative sentencing program in partnership with Valley HealthCare Systems, a local provider specializing in mental health, substance use treatment, housing services, and case management. For decades, the organization has served West Virginia, and it is now a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) in accordance with federal law. Serving as a third-party provider contracted by the city, Valley HealthCare Systems will conduct assessments and guide individuals toward support systems that address housing instability and offer recovery options. Their expertise and already established working relationships with community and regional service providers will enable the identification of additional service opportunities as well. Through this partnership, the city will be advised on best practices in connecting citizens in need of help with substance abuse, mental health, or case management to return to stable housing. The organization will also help define the requirements for successfully completing alternative sentencing under the ordinance. The initiative aims to address one of the most complex social crises facing Morgantown by offering accountability and opportunity through evidence-based programing. Brad Riffee, Public Relations and Communications Director for the City of Morgantown, emphasized the city's dedication to upholding local laws and regulations. "City staff and administration are committed to enforcing all local provisions, laws, and ordinances with fairness and objectivity, " Riffee said. "Our responsibility is to apply these regulations as written, ensuring accountability while always acting in the best interest of the entire community. We will always strive to balance compliance with compassion and any strategy we follow will reflect a model that offers consideration to all citizens." The program will adopt a model similar to the West Virginia Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (WV LEAD) Program. LEAD is a pre-booking diversion program that allows law enforcement to redirect individuals engaged in low-level offenses, often related to substance use or mental health challenges, away from the criminal justice system and into treatment and recovery services. The city hopes to incorporate elements of this model to offer the best alternative sentencing options to its citizens. Steve Bennett, Director of the LEAD Program and Crisis Services and the primary point of contact for Valley HealthCare Systems, reported that the program had a 60 % success rate in the region in its first year. "We're proud to partner with the city of Morgantown to help develop meaningful alternatives for individuals cited under the new ordinance or anyone for that matter, " Bennett said. "By connecting people to housing, treatment, and long-term support, especially those struggling with substance use disorders, we can reduce repeated offenses, improve public safety, and offer individuals a real path toward stability and recovery." The goals of the LEAD program include: — Saving lives by returning citizens to a more stable lifestyle — Decreasing recidivism — Providing better access to mental health services and housing options — Improving community and police relations — Reducing opioid overdose deaths by connecting citizens to treatment facilities Individuals cited for violating Article 1157 are eligible for alternative sentencing if they seek assistance with substance use, mental health, or housing-related case management. Valley HealthCare Systems will assist in developing and managing the alternative sentencing program. Under the ordinance: — A first violation results in a written warning and information about available shelter and services, both locally and regionally. — A second violation may result in a fine of up to $200 and information about available shelter and services. — A third violation within 12 months may result in a fine of up to $500 and /or up to 30 days in jail, along with information about available shelter and services and alternative sentencing options. Each day a violation continues is considered a separate offense. No citation or penalty will be issued unless the individual has been offered alternative shelter and has refused it. In a statement, Morgantown Chief of Police Eric Powell noted that this ordinance does not alter how city departments or officials interact with the public or individuals who are currently unsheltered. "Morgantown remains committed to compassionate engagement, connecting individuals with treatment programs, housing services, and healthcare resources, " Powell said. "For over two years, the city has employed a full-time social worker who supports our law enforcement officers in providing direct assistance to individuals in need. In partnership with the Morgantown Police Department (MPD), the city plans to hire two additional peer recovery specialists or case managers to expand intervention and follow-up services." Powell continued to share additional thoughts about what he calls a service-driven approach to public safety. "By prioritizing appropriate responses and resource accessibility through real collaborative partnerships like the one we are implementing, we can create lasting positive change while maintaining public safety, " Powell added. "At the end of the day this is our goal. We care about everyone." MPD's Police Social Worker, Kelly Rice, LICSW, was hired in 2023 to provide direct service and outreach to individuals who are facing crisis. Rice is a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in working with citizens who need mental health treatment, housing coordination, domestic violence support services, substance use disorder treatment, and trauma informed care. She also has significant experience with victim impact and crisis intervention. Since the beginning of the year, Rice has responded to more than 180 service calls with MPD. In 2025 alone, she has made 17 shelter referrals, coordinated more than 36 responses to mental health and treatment calls, completed seven disability assessments for the West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness (WVCEH), assisted in six mental hygiene hearings, and reported to Child Protective Services (CPS). "When people wake up in the morning, they don't say, 'Hey, I think it's a good idea to be unsheltered or develop substance use disorders, '" Rice said. "Street outreach has taught me that hundreds of factors can contribute to why an individual might be living outside. These added resources to the department and other meaningful partnerships will only strengthen our mission to get people to a safer and healthier place." The city is in the process of posting signage in prominent locations that will help direct citizens to the appropriate contacts if they are actively living outside. Using the city's Pathways to Help platform, the municipality hopes to guide citizens to resources they can utilize to obtain help. The goal of Pathways to Help is to provide assistance to those in hardship by connecting individuals with essential resources that will meet their needs or the needs of others. By utilizing services like West Virginia 211 (WV 211) to link members of the community with local providers that offer lifesaving and life-changing services in Morgantown and across the state, citizens are more likely to receive help that meets their specific needs promptly, reduces barriers to access, and improves their overall well-being and stability. Other local agencies providing assistance to those in hardship include Catholic Charities, Lauren's Wish, Rape & Domestic Violence Information Center (RDVIC), Project Rainbow, The Salvation Army, Christian Help, and many others. Community members can inquire about shelter services by contacting Grace Shelter at 681-867-1002. In the event of an emergency, always remember to call 911. For non-emergency related issues, call 304-599-6382.
Scoop
14-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Sound The Sirens: Are Voluntary Associations Under Attack?
Press Release – LEAD LEAD co-director, Garth Nowland-Foreman, asked today, What has this government got against community groups and member associations? And where is the Minister for Community & Voluntary Sector, when a regulatory barrage is being unleashed on the … A social enterprise that supports thousands of non-profits across the country, LEAD Centre for Not for Profit Governance and Leadership, is sounding the alarm on an unprecedented tax and fee grab from the country's voluntary and community organisations. LEAD co-director, Garth Nowland-Foreman, asked today, 'What has this government got against community groups and member associations? And where is the Minister for Community & Voluntary Sector, when a regulatory barrage is being unleashed on the sector?' 'At a time when social cohesion in this country has dropped below that of our Australian neighbours, membership associations are one of the most important vehicles in helping to build stronger communities, practice democracy, and support social cohesion.' Tax on Charities' earned income First, the government tried to tax charities, and while now been put on hold for this Budget (because it would be excessively complicated, add compliance costs, and still not raise any significant revenue), the threat still hangs over the heads of thousands of charities. And Charity Services is requiring charities to separately list so-called 'commercial' income in this year's annual returns. Tax on Associations' membership fees Inland Revenue now proposes to impose income tax for the first time on subscriptions and other transactions among members of community associations (ED0265). This will overturn a 70-year-old tax understanding of the 'principle of mutuality', with tax specialists warning it could threaten the existence of some small clubs and societies. Fees hike for Incorporated Societies At the same time the Companies Office is ignoring the public-good contribution of these same non-profit associations, with a major hike in one fee, and the introduction of three new fees for incorporated societies, including one that for the first time will need to be paid every year in perpetuity (Review of Companies Office Fees and Levies, 2025). Following funding cuts and increased compliance LEAD co-director, Sandy Thompson, said: 'This follows cutbacks in funding for many non-profits doing important work in the community. Many are still grappling with a new Incorporated Societies Act, which itself imposes increased compliance costs, and is demanding thousands of incorporated societies across the country re-register with new constitutions by April next year or risk loosing any legal protection. 'While individually, each of these threats may not appear monumental, taken together it's hard for community groups not to feel under attack, just at a time we should be supporting them even more.' Background information: Tax on membership fees: Increased fees for Incorporated societies: Complying with new Incorporated Societies Act: Cuts to Charities' funding: Who is LEAD? LEAD Centre for Not for Profit Governance & Leadership was established ten years ago to provide evidence-based training, coaching and other support to not-for-profit organisations and their leaders across Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific. In that time thousands of leaders and their organisations have been assisted by its consortium of highly expert and experienced not-for-profit consultants and facilitators.
