CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), Bureau for Social Services (BSS), has launched the WV Kinship Hub, a new online resource designed to help kinship and foster families understand their needs, identify next steps, and connect with support.
Families caring for children often face complex challenges, especially when grandparents, relatives, or foster parents step into caregiving roles. The Kinship Hub uses simple, expert‑designed screening tools to help families explore needs across areas including caregiver well‑being, child well‑being, family and parenting, health, education, financial stability, and social support. Based on their responses, users receive practical next steps and information about resources available in their communities.
“Families caring for children deserve to know that support is available when they need it,” said Carl Ayers, Cabinet Secretary of DoHS. “The Kinship Hub gives families a simple, private place to start, helping them better understand their needs and connect with resources without having to navigate a complicated system on their own.”
Privacy was a key priority in developing the Hub. Users do not have to provide identifying information, and the tool does not track individual activity or store responses in a way that can be linked back to a person. Families can explore the Hub at their own pace and choose the areas where they want additional information or support.
Available tools include:
- Caregiver Well‑Being — Resources to help caregivers identify and address factors affecting their own health and well‑being.
- Child Well‑Being — Information focused on a child’s health, development, and overall well‑being.
- Family & Parenting — Tools to help families navigate parenting challenges and strengthen relationships.
The Kinship Hub is part of DoHS’ ongoing effort to make services easier for families to understand and access. For many kinship and foster families, knowing where to begin can be one of the biggest hurdles. The Hub provides a clear starting point, helping families identify areas where they may need support and discover available options.
The WV Kinship Hub is available at kinshiphub.bss.wv.gov.
