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Home > About Us > About Our CEO > Articles, Op-Eds, Remarks, Speeches, and Testimony

 
 

Letter to the Editor of the West Virginia Gazette

Letter By Shay Bilchik

11/4/03

Dear Editor:

Your editorial, "Wise Investment - Abused kids rate priority" was right on target. The Gazette is to be applauded for its support of the State's efforts to improve services to children and families.

While it is true that the Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) found West Virginia needs improvement in safety, permanency and well-being for children, it is an opportunity for the State to demonstrate it's commitment to the future. More than 8,000 children a year in West Virginia are found to be victims of child abuse or neglect. The $9 million requested by Fred Boothe in support of the Program Improvement Plan outlines clearly the priorities to provide children with safe and permanent families and insuring that those families are able to provide for their ongoing care.

West Virginia also has some very strong points. While the results of the CFSR may appear as failures, they provide a clear path to the areas needing attention. The West Virginia data collection system on foster care and adoption is one of five in the nation recognized by federal staff as meeting all federal requirements. Increased use of timely and accurate information and analysis of that data will help the Bureau of Children and Families monitor the progress towards the outcomes. The State also has very dedicated staff, along with a network of private agencies who are committed to positive progress supporting improved outcomes for children.

Governor Wise and the state legislature could do no greater good than to make West Virginia's children a priority by investing in this proposal.

Sincerely,

Shay Bilchik
President & CEO
Child Welfare League of America



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