Resignation of West Virginia’s First Foster Care Ombudsman
The first ombudsman of West Virginia’s foster care system, Pamela Woodman-Kaehler, has announced her resignation, effective June 6. The state Department of Health made the announcement, stating that Woodman-Kaehler is pursuing a new opportunity but did not provide further details.
Woodman-Kaehler expressed confidence in the ombudsman program’s ability to serve West Virginia’s foster care system. Elizabeth Hardy, the deputy director of the foster care ombudsman’s office, will serve as acting director after Woodman-Kaehler’s departure.
The ombudsman position was established by the state Legislature in 2019 to investigate complaints and gather data about the foster care system. West Virginia, grappling with the opioid epidemic, has the highest rate of children in foster care, with over 6,000 children in a state of around 1.8 million.
The state is currently facing a significant class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of foster care children in 2019. The lawsuit alleges that children’s needs are not being met due to a shortage of case workers, over-reliance on institutionalization, and a lack of mental health support.
In response to concerns about the ombudsman’s ability to independently investigate critical issues, lawmakers passed a law in 2023 expanding and specifying the ombudsman’s duties. In 2024, lawmakers voted to make the Office of Inspector General an independent agency to address fraud, waste, and abuse within the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, and Department of Health Facilities.
During a news conference, Governor Jim Justice dismissed speculation about issues within the office, stating that Woodman-Kaehler had found a better job. He praised her work and dedication to serving the children of the state.
Woodman-Kaehler’s background includes experience as a child protective services worker and state coordinator for a review panel of the Bureau of Children and Families. She was also a certified foster parent and trained others to become foster parents. The state expressed appreciation for her contributions and wished her well in her future endeavors.
