Fairmont State Kicks Off 2026 Legislative Session with Commitment to West Virginia’s Future Through Child Welfare Care Advocacy and More

Fairmont State and its partners, West Virginia Schools of Diversion & Transition (WVSDT) and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), have come together to plan Foster Care and Child Welfare Day at the Capitol on January 14, which also marks the opening day of the 2026 legislative session.

Foster Care and Child Welfare Day at the Capitol will uplift the voices of youth with lived experience within the state, showcase the organizations working tirelessly on their behalf, and strengthen the collaborative efforts needed to ensure every child in the West Virginia has safety, stability, and opportunity. The following week, on January 23, Fairmont State University will also host its own Day at the Capitol where students, faculty, and staff will show legislators the institution's impact on the region.

"Fairmont State University is more than just a campus - we are woven into the very fabric of this state. As a public institution, we embrace our responsibility to strengthen West Virginia's future," said President Mike Davis. "Our commitment extends beyond education. We also drive economic growth, prepare career-ready graduates, and help build strong communities. Through strategic partnerships like these, we pursue initiatives that empower our youth and develop the next generation of leaders."

Through the creation of Middle College and RISE, Fairmont State has helped lead the way in serving the educational needs of youth and alumni with experience in foster or kinship care. Middle College gives West Virginia students who have experienced foster care the opportunity to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and an associate degree. RISE (Resilience Independence Support Empowerment) is a supportive and empowering network of foster care or kinship care alumni, advocates, and allies.

Fairmont State University's partners, WVSDT and CASA, are leaders in foster and kinship care support for children in West Virginia. The WVSDT's mission is to provide educational services to juveniles and adults in residential and other state-operated facilities, while CASA programs provide quality volunteer advocacy for abused or neglected children in the state court system.

"Foster Care & Child Welfare Day at the Capitol is an opportunity for lawmakers to hear directly from the young people and alumni who have experienced West Virginia's foster care system firsthand," said Fairmont State's Dean of Middle College, Emily Swain, "Alongside our partners at the WVSDT and West Virginia CASA, we are bringing together the voices, stories, and expertise of those working every day to protect children and strengthen the systems meant to support them. We look forward to collaborating with our state's leaders to create a brighter, more stable future for West Virginia's youth."

Brittany Gould, a Foster Care Education Lead Specialist at the WVSDT, shared her aspirations for Foster Care & Child Welfare Day at the Capitol, saying, "I hope that everyone who shows up can connect with organizations around the state who have a common goal, show up for kids, and show them that you care. I would like to see organizations spread the good work that they do throughout the state with legislators to show them that youth in care are important and valued."

Gould's role as a Foster Care Education Lead Specialist at WVSDT allows her to assist foster or kinship youth across the state as they move to new schools and provides them with other academic services as needed. She continued, "Youth in care are not just in foster homes but can be in kinship homes as well as facility placements across the state. This day also provides students in care a chance to have their voices heard."

The 2026 Foster Care & Child Welfare Day at the Capitol is a chance to show legislators the collective strength of West Virginia's child welfare community and the strides Fairmont State has taken to support these initiatives. Whether those present choose to table or attend to show support, their presence will make a difference.

Questions regarding Foster Care & Child Welfare Day at the Capitol should be directed to Emily Swain at [email protected] or by phone at 304-816-1359.

Individuals interested in attending Fairmont State University's Day at the Capitol on January 23 may contact [email protected].