WV DHS helps with life skills for youth transitioning from foster care

Danielle Sandler
·2 min read

CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) — The West Virginia Department of Human Services, Bureau for Social Services recently announced to help children transition out of foster care.

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This transitioning includes 22 new transitional living facility beds provided by Golden Girl Group Home in Ceredo, Stepping Stones in Lavalette, and Stepping Stone in Fairmont. Transitional Living services help with children and youth who are currently in foster care to prepare and transition into adulthood.

When a child turns 18, their custody and status will determine what living situation they will be placed in. It will also determine the availability of Independent Living Subsides and Education and Training Vouchers. There are certain requirements to be eligible for these programs, some of which include:

  • MODIFY case managers – they can help with school applications, financial aid, and other housing needs. They can also assist when wanting to obtain specific certifications.

  • Agencies that help transition youth into adulthood programs – These programs help with life skill training and have services provided by the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia, which serves Berkeley, Fayette, Greenbrier, Jackson, Jefferson, Marion, Monongalia, Monroe, Morgan, Raleigh, Summers, and Wood counties, with other programs that help with other counties as well.

Youth that were in foster care can still get medical coverage up to age 26. After age 18, there are certain requirements that must be made to get medical coverage. To learn more about applying for Medicaid and for certain requirements, you can visit and apply online at wvpath.wv.gov, call (877) 176-1212, or apply at your local DoHS office.

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Another service called the Foster Youth to Independence Initiative Initiative helps with HUD programs and also helps with housing vouchers for homeless youth or are at risk of being homeless. Foster Youth to Independence helps work with local housing authorities as well to help keep youth off the streets.

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