Increase in Foster Care Services in West Virginia

West Virginia has the highest foster care entry rate in the U.S., with over 6,000 children currently in state care, driven largely by a substance use disorder epidemic. A legislative workgroup has proposed solutions to the state’s troubled foster care system, emphasizing the need for improved quality and efficiency. Meanwhile, in Marion County, Florida, the Refuge of Hope Independent Living organization has opened a new facility to support young men aging out of foster care, offering assistance with education and career opportunities. In San Diego and Riverside Counties, there is a critical shortage of male volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) for boys in foster care, with urgent calls for compassionate men to step up as role models. Both regions highlight the need for positive male influences in the lives of vulnerable children, particularly boys who are disproportionately represented in the foster care system. The lack of male advocates is a pressing concern that could impact the well-being and development of these children.