State Creates Child Protection Commissioner Program
West Virginia is adding specialized commissioners to help circuit judges handle abuse and neglect cases as foster care rolls grow.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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West Virginia has created the Child Protection Commissioner Program to assist circuit judges with abuse and neglect cases, sponsored by Del. J.B. Akers, R-Kanawha. Public Defender Services secured $3 million to help launch the program, which will start in two judicial circuits.
Why it matters
West Virginia has more than 5,200 children in its foster care system and faces a shortage of attorneys handling abuse and neglect cases. The program is intended to assign dedicated court personnel to these proceedings so important details are not overlooked.
The program is in its launch phase, with $3 million secured by Public Defender Services and rollout planned for two judicial circuits. Training, rules and success metrics have not yet been finalized.
The players
Public Defender Services
Public Defender Services is the West Virginia agency that secured $3 million to help launch the program.
J.B. Akers
J.B. Akers is a Republican member of the West Virginia House of Delegates representing Kanawha County who sponsored the legislation creating the program.
The details
The Child Protection Commissioner Program allows specialized commissioners to assist circuit judges with abuse and neglect cases, assigning dedicated court personnel to focus on these proceedings. The model draws on a Texas system that inspired the approach.
Timeline
Initial rollout will begin in one small and one medium-sized judicial circuit, with a start date not yet specified.
Legal Context
West Virginia's program follows the Texas system that inspired it, adding specialized commissioners to help circuit judges manage abuse and neglect cases. The approach responds directly to the state's shortage of attorneys handling these proceedings.
Families involved in abuse and neglect cases in the initial circuits may see dedicated court personnel focused on their proceedings. Residents in the two launch circuits will be the first to experience changes as training and rules are finalized.
The takeaway
Watching how the two initial circuits handle training and case flow will show whether specialized commissioners can ease pressure on judges and attorneys in West Virginia's child welfare courts.
Further reading
For more on the state's court system, see Criminal Justice coverage for West Virginia.
Live Poll
Should West Virginia spend more money to speed up child abuse and neglect cases?
