West Virginia Child Care Association

06/10/2026

📢WV CARES Update!📢

You can now submit your variance request along with your WV CARES application. ✨

A complete variance request submitted upfront can help reduce delays and support a faster review process.

✅Include These Key Items When Submitting a Variance Request:

📝Detailed Applicant Statement: Tell your story. Explain your circumstances, background, and why you are requesting a variance. The more information provided, the better reviewers can understand your situation.

💼Job Title and Full Job Description: Providers should include the applicant's job title and complete job description. This helps reviewers understand the duties and responsibilities of the position.

📄Supporting Documentation: Strong variance requests include character reference letters, training certificates, proof of recovery when applicable, and documentation showing personal or professional growth. Character reference letters that are personal to you with personal example are also preferred over generic, form letters.

🌟Highlight Positive Changes: Share steps you have taken to improve your life and career, such as continuing education, certifications, volunteer work, employment history, and community involvement. This is your opportunity to brag about the hard work you have done.

📋Before You Submit:
-Verify all applicant information
-Complete and sign the self disclosure forms
-Submit only one application per applicant
-Submit the application before fingerprinting

A complete application and variance request helps WV CARES make informed decisions while protecting vulnerable West Virginians and supporting a strong workforce dedicated to serving our communities. 💙💛

05/30/2026

Oh how positively and powerfully true!

"Children need your attachment more than you need to protect your heart." - Jen Lilley, actress, foster & adoptive mom 💭

In Episode 93 of the Foster Friendly Podcast, Brian Mavis sits down with Dr. John DeGarmo and Jen Lilley to talk honestly about foster care, advocacy, community support, and their new book, Called to Foster?: An Honest Guide to Getting Started. 📖

Their conversation is a powerful reminder that while foster care can be challenging, every child deserves adults who show up with love, stability, and courage. 🙌

🎧 Listen to Episode #93 at the link below:
https://americaskidsbelong.org/blog/keeping-it-real-what-every-foster-parent-needs-to-know-with-dr-john-degarmo-and-jen-lilley/

05/30/2026

05/28/2026

Yay!

Today we celebrate our FOUR high school graduates, and a fifth who just finished his GED!

Congrats to the Class of 2026! Your future is bright.

Shout out to the Boca Shack for providing Boca Bowls and pulled pork sandwiches!

05/20/2026

✨Employee Spotlight: Jessica Bryant✨

From the close knit community of Gallipolis Ferry in Mason County, known by many locals as "Gabtown", Jessica Bryant learned early on the value of hard work, resilience, and neighbors helping neighbors. Growing up in a place where every child was raised by a village helped shape the leadership, compassion, and dedication she brings to her role as Director of the Foster Care Ombudsman Division each day. ❤️

Jessica's path into public service began in college when a favorite teacher encouraged her to join AmeriCorps with the Jobs for WV Graduates program. That experience sparked a passion for helping young people and supporting individuals through difficult challenges. What started as a calling to serve naturally grew into a career focused on advocacy, social services, and strengthening systems for West Virginia families.

Today, Jessica leads with integrity and a people first mindset. She believes the work goes far beyond reviewing concerns or handling complaints. It is about listening, building trust, and helping create meaningful change that improves outcomes for children, youth, and families across our state. Her commitment reflects the Office of Inspector General's mission to promote accountability, transparency, and positive outcomes for West Virginians. 🌄

Jessica is especially excited about expanding partnerships and outreach efforts in communities throughout the state while continuing to focus on systemic improvements that can create lasting impact for families and children. She carries with her two pieces of advice that continue to guide both her personal and professional life: "Always remember the people behind the paperwork," and her dad's reminder to "Adjust and Overcome."

Outside of work, Jessica's West Virginia roots shine bright. She spent more than 13 years raising market hogs through 4-H🍀 and even earned Reserve Grand Champion Market Hog honors with "Pig #2, The Saga Continues." 🐖 She also enjoys waterfowl hunting with her husband and recently celebrated snagging her first Pintail Duck this year. 🦆

Thank you, Jessica, for your dedication to serving West Virginia children and families and for helping strengthen systems that support safer, brighter futures for our communities. 💙💛

05/20/2026

Ethics, connection, and collaboration are coming together this August for the 2026 West Virginia Behavioral Health Ethics Conference: Upholding Integrity Across the Continuum! ⚖️🧠🔍

Join behavioral health professionals, prevention specialists, peer recovery supporters, counselors, social workers, and clinicians from across West Virginia for a full day of virtual learning and conversation focused on strengthening ethical practice across the continuum of care.

💻 Virtual Conference
📅 August 4, 2026
⏰ 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM EST
✅7.5 CEs pending for social workers, psychologists, LPCs, peer specialists, and addiction & prevention professionals.

Conference tracks include:
• Behavioral Health
• Addiction & Prevention
• Peer Recovery

Speaker sessions and conference agenda will be announced soon!

🌐Register at http://wvbh-ethics.org/

This project is funded in part by the West Virginia Bureau for Behavioral Health (BBH) through the West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), with additional support provided through a collaborative partnership with the Opioid Response Network (ORN) and the West Virginia Training, Support, and Outreach Program.

05/20/2026

Training Center Continuing Education Series Events aims to support, develop, and expand the behavioral health workforce by providing high-quality training at no cost to attendees. Register today: https://wvbhtraining.org/trainings/

05/02/2026

2026 Golf Tournament Info On May 16, 2026, Stepping Stones, Inc. will be hosting a Four-Person Scramble Golf Outing Fundraising Event at Creekside Golf Course in Lavalette, WV. All funds raised at our tournament will help purchase new furnishings and bedrooms for the boys. These boys have faced much...