WV SB937

Establishes a community-based child welfare system pilot program in Berkeley County, Jefferson County, and Bureau for Social Services Region IV, with any further expansion requiring legislative authorization

Bureau for Social Services retains exclusive authority over intake, Child Protective Services investigations, safety assessments, emergency custody decisions, and court responsibility during investigations

After CPS investigations conclude, ongoing case management, service coordination, and court-related functions transfer to contracted private community-based providers who must hold national accreditation and demonstrate financial solvency

Contracts use negotiated case-rate payments covering the full continuum of care, with shared-risk provisions allowing providers to retain savings from improved outcomes while assuming responsibility for costs exceeding the case rate

Department must submit an evaluation report to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance within 18 months, covering child safety outcomes, fiscal performance, and recommendations for continuation or expansion