WV SB944

Creates the West Virginia Child First Advisory Committee administered by the Department of Human Services to evaluate child welfare outcomes, laws, and the performance of judges, attorneys, caseworkers, and administrators involved in abuse and neglect cases

Committee membership includes the DHS Cabinet Secretary (as Chair), Foster Care Ombudsman, two Governor-appointed child welfare experts, four legislative members (non-voting), and the Administrative Director of the Supreme Court of Appeals

Requires the committee to meet at least quarterly and submit annual reports to the Governor and Joint Committee on the Judiciary by January 1 of each year, beginning January 2026, with recommendations for improving foster care, adoption, family reunification, and system efficiency

Establishes the West Virginia Child First Fund to receive legislative appropriations, federal funds, and private donations exclusively for improving child welfare outcomes, with unexpended funds carrying over each fiscal year

Directs the committee to identify opportunities for reducing child removal rates, increasing family reunification, improving transparency and accountability, and modernizing workflows through technology or policy changes