By Steven Allen Adams, The Parkersburg News and Sentinel
PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — Lawmakers continued their questioning of West Virginia Department of Human Services officials Monday regarding where state and federal funding for child care subsidies come from and the lack of return on investment of billions combating West Virginia’s substance use disorder crisis.
The Joint Standing Committee on Finance met Monday morning at the Donald F. Black Courthouse Annex for the second day of legislative interim meetings in Parkersburg.
Cynthia Persily, the cabinet secretary for the Department of Human Services, testified before the committee during August legislative interim meetings two weeks ago at the State Capitol Building and Monday’s appearance by Persily was a continuation of that questioning.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, asked Persily about how the state funds the Child Care Assistance program through the Bureau for Family Assistance. The program provides financial assistance to working parents or parents attending public colleges to subsidize the cost of family-based child care or licensed center-based child care for families that meet income requirements.
