2005 West Virginia Code - §5-26-1. — Legislative findings; statement of purpose.

§5-26-1. Legislative findings; statement of purpose.
(a) The Legislature finds that in order to avoid the human and financial costs to the state of individual and family instability, and to benefit the state and society as a whole, it is in the best interests of the state to provide programs and services to support children and families. The Legislature further finds that children and families are best supported by programs and services in or as close to the local community as possible.
The Legislature intends to accomplish its goals relating to children and families through a family-centered, comprehensive, community-based system for the provision of social services, programs and facilities for children and families overseen by the highest levels of state government.
(b) The Legislature hereby declares that one purpose of this article and the policy of the state is to achieve the coordination of programs and services to children and families through a cabinet in the governor's office which is independent from any state agency and which shall act as an interagency cabinet created to nurture a flexible system for the comprehensive, unified, effective and efficient administration of programs and services to children and families which avoids fragmentation and duplication of programs and services. For maximum effectiveness, the Legislature intends to provide services in a long-term manner with such intensity as the needs of the particular situation require.
(c) The service delivery system shall be driven by the needs and preferences of the child and family, shall reflect local community characteristics and resources, shall allow for local input, and shall focus on prevention, education and early intervention.
The Legislature intends, by this article, to allow diversity and regional, cultural and ethnic sensitivity in the development of programs and services for children and families. To the greatest extent possible, families and communities are to be involved in all aspects of planning, delivery and evaluation of services. This is intended to foster strong family and community program ownership while maintaining clear parameters for program goals and purposes through the governor's cabinet on children and families.