West Virginia is facing a projected $40 million shortfall in funding for momentary assistance for needy families. The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources is located at One Davis Square in Charleston, West Virginia. (Photo by Leann Ray/West Virginia Watch)
There could be cuts to child care in West Virginia and to a voucher program that helps low-income families afford school uniforms.
These programs — along with several child support services — are funded by money from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, a federal grant that states administer.
On Monday, Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced that the state is expected to face a $40 million shortfall in its TANF funding. After TANF received an infusion of COVID-19 relief funds, Morrisey explained that the programs’ budgets exploded and remained that way even after the pandemic dollars expired.
“The emergency spending created a large structural deficit, and quite frankly, we had these silos within (the Department of) Human Services that resulted in inadequate oversight of the TANF budget, so obviously we’re trying to fix that,” Morrisey said during a press conference at the State Capitol.
Del. Rep. Evan Worrell, R-Cabell, said, “I will not support cutting child care subsidies or clothing vouchers at all.”
He asked whether the governor could reallocate the money after the Legislature had already approved about $177 million in TANF funding in its fiscal year 2027 budget. It could require a special session of the Legislature, Worrell said.
“I would like to see the data that we have a $40 million deficit in TANF because our family support centers, our resource centers … rely on those funds, so that’s a big deal,” Worrell said.
Morrisey also announced a series of audits of state agencies on Monday that found: potential savings of $168 millionbut the audits did not contain information related to TANF or a program deficit.
“I know (Morrisey) just announced a review by the DoHS of potential savings there. Can’t we use that to close that gap without cutting child care?” Worrell said.
West Virginia uses TANF dollars to support a number of organizations focused on supporting foster children and at-risk families.
West Virginia has a child care subsidy program that provides income-based assistance for parents who are working or attending school. It currently provides thousands of children with access to childcare.
The legislature recently decided their first typical child care lawwhich included better support for the child care subsidy program. Supporters of the Republican-backed bill hoped it would expand child care slots in the state through better support for providers.
Morrisey declined to sign the measure before it came into force.
Del. Rep. John Williams, D-Monongalia, worried that any funding cuts to the child care subsidy would be “three steps back after it took one step forward.”
“I’m really concerned considering child care is a public service that is absolutely necessary for families,” Williams said. “The percentage of child care costs to household income is huge compared to what it used to be. I think what we heard from the governor today was kind of a soft nudge that he’s going to cut TANF child care benefits.”
Worrell said it “just seems strange to be talking about cutting child care subsidies that we just supported in this past legislative session.”
Potential funding cuts could impact family support centers across the state.
“Family support centers are the local backbone of West Virginia’s child abuse prevention infrastructure. They are one of the most effective strategies available to reduce the number of children entering foster care,” he said Jim McKay is state director of Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia. “They are intended to help stabilize families before a crisis reaches a level that requires intervention by child protection services or the placement of a child in out-of-home care.”
Research shows that for every tax dollar invested in family support centers, there is a return on investment of $4.93, he added.
According to the state, there were about 4,200 TANF cases in West Virginia as of December Data. Federal funding will support legal aid, Good News Mountaineer Garage, student support services, community and technical colleges and more.
Morrisey said the state needs to better track TANF dollars.
“The program may take up to 18 months to complete, but we must make the changes now that will ensure there are no structural deficiencies within TANF,” the governor said. “All of this is achievable and we are ready to advance the number of initiatives administratively.”
The governor plans to inform the Legislature of the possible changes.
“You will see that we will have these briefings with the Legislature and have the opportunity to resolve a number of these issues,” he said. “We are definitely committed to being financially responsible while helping people who are in great need. Our children and our families definitely need the help of this TANF program.”
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