Committee advances bill to create coordinated continuum of care for youth exiting foster care; fiscal note lists about $10 million House Bill 4730 would require the Department of Human Services to develop and maintain a coordinated continuum of independent living and transitional services for youth exiting or aging out of foster care; counsel cited a fiscal note of roughly $10,000,000 based on serving an additional ~250 youth annually, and witnesses and senators debated federal funding and whether the fiscal note accounted for Title IV‑E and Chafee funds.

A new bill aims to create a robust support system for youth exiting foster care, potentially impacting 250 lives with a $10 million investment—will it make the difference they need?

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#WV #WestVirginiaFosterCare #FederalFunding #CitizenPortal #YouthEmpowerment #SocialServices

Committee Adds 30‑Day Reimbursement Rule and Sends Minimum Clothing Allowance Bill to Full Senate A committee approved a committee substitute for Senate Bill 546 setting a minimum initial clothing allowance of $375 and a supplemental allowance up to $175 for children entering foster care, established three payment methods (reloadable card, CPS purchasing card, reimbursement) and added an amendment requiring the department to pay reimbursements within 30 days of invoice receipt.

West Virginia's Senate committee just endorsed a crucial bill ensuring a minimum clothing allowance of $375 for foster children and a speedy 30-day reimbursement rule!

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#WV #ChildWelfare #WestVirginiaFosterCare #FinancialSupport #AdministrativeBurden #CitizenPortal