Strengthening support for children in West Virginia with WVCAN
Participants at WVCAN’s membership retreat. Photo courtesy of West Virginia Child Advocacy Network.
For children who have experienced abuse, getting help should not mean repeating their story at every turn. Child Advocacy Centers bring child protection, criminal justice and treatment professionals together in a child-friendly setting, helping families access coordinated services while reducing the need for repeated interviews.
West Virginia Child Advocacy Network (WVCAN) supports the state’s 21 Child Advocacy Centers through training, guidance and opportunities for professionals to learn from one another. Its work strengthens the network behind the local centers so children and families can receive informed, compassionate care.
During the 2025–2026 grant year, WVCAN brought together 32 family advocates from 15 centers for an ongoing peer learning collaborative. These advocates help families understand the Child Advocacy Center process and navigate what comes next, including preparing for court in some cases. Ten peer learning meetings gave advocates space to share resources and work through challenges together.
WVCAN also provided specialized training through its partnership with the West Virginia State Police’s Handle With Care Conference. A network-wide retreat connected 24 leaders from 16 centers, while a leadership cohort offered additional learning and professional coaching.
“The Foundation’s support helped us invest upstream—in the people, relationships, tools, and statewide infrastructure that make local CAC services stronger.”
- Shiloh Woodard, Executive Director, West Virginia Child Advocacy Network
Beyond professional support, WVCAN helps local centers build community awareness. Its #High5Drive for Brave WV Kids brought together 14 centers for a statewide fundraising campaign, with all proceeds going directly to participating centers.
Augusta Family Foundation’s support helped WVCAN provide professional learning, peer connection and the coordination behind these efforts. Building on an awareness video previously supported by the foundation, WVCAN also brought its message to movie theaters across West Virginia, helping more people learn about Child Advocacy Centers and the children they serve.
