The bill introduced on January 20, 2026, aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by adding a new section, 49-2-131, which mandates the Department of Human Services to establish a pilot program for supplemental caseworker aide services within the Bureau for Social Services. This program will involve contracting with qualified private entities to provide administrative support services, allowing existing departmental staff to focus more on personal interactions with children and families. The caseworker aides will be required to meet similar education, experience, and training standards as current departmental staff, while the Department of Human Services will retain supervisory and decision-making authority over all cases.

The pilot program is set to operate for 15 months, including a three-month onboarding period and a one-year operational phase. It will be deployed in districts with specific criteria, such as high caseloads or persistent vacancy rates in child welfare positions. Before the program concludes, the department must submit a report to the Joint Committee on Health detailing its implementation, performance outcomes, and recommendations for future actions. If the evaluation shows improved case management capacity or outcomes, the department may choose to expand the program statewide.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 49-2-131