The first ombudsman for West Virginia’s overloaded foster care system has resigned. Pamela Woodman-Kaehler’s resignation will take effect June 6, according to a spokesperson for the West Virginia Department of Health Facilities.
Elizabeth Hardy will serve as the acting office director for the foster care ombudsman in her place. The foster care ombudsman position was created in 2019 and intended to advocate for the rights of foster children and foster parents. A dashboard for West Virginia’s child welfare system shows that more than 6,000 children are in state custody.