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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1999 		Contact: Michael Kharfen
(202) 401-9215

HHS APPROVES CHILD WELFARE DEMONSTRATION
FOR WEST VIRGINIA

HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala today approved a child welfare demonstration waiver for West Virginia that will allow the state to help children remain at home when safe to do so or with relatives while their mothers receive substance abuse treatment.

"Substance abuse is the leading reason for children to be removed from their homes, as two-thirds of the children in public foster care have been exposed to drugs," said Secretary Shalala. "West Virginia's demonstration will test a very important service model - mothers who know their children are safe will more likely be willing to complete a treatment program. This project holds great promise as a national model."

Under the demonstration West Virginia will focus on removing barriers to encourage successful completion of a substance abuse program and on coordinating substance abuse treatment services and child welfare services. Children will be placed with relatives or others close to the family rather than with families who do not know the children. A mother then can participate in treatment confident that her children are in good hands. This needed reassurance should help her to complete the program.

The substance abuse component seeks to improve the rate and speed of family reunification after a mother receives treatment, increase the number of mothers successfully completing short-term in-patient and/or residential treatment, and reduce the number of children placed in foster care. At the same time the state will encourage collaboration and the creation of comprehensive collaborative service networks between substance abuse and child welfare agencies. The project will be implemented in Boone, Cabell, Clay, Jackson, Roane, Kanawha, Lincoln, Mason, Mingo, Putnam and Wayne counties.

"A recent HHS report highlighted the need for better collaboration between child protection and substance abuse services. I want to commend West Virginia for recognizing the need to remove barriers and allow a mother to enter and successfully complete a substance abuse program," said Olivia A. Golden, HHS assistant secretary for children and families. "I am especially pleased that the state is moving forward in new directions that will improve the quality of services for the whole family."

The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 authorized HHS to approve up to 10 demonstration projects each year through 2002. West Virginia is the 23rd waiver approved under this authority.

The demonstration project cost will be cost neutral, independently evaluated, and last up to five years.

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Note: For other HHS Press Releases and Fact Sheets pertaining to the subject of this announcement, please click here (www.os.dhhs.gov/news/press/)for our Press Release and Fact Sheet search engine at: www.os.dhhs.gov/news/press/.