MASON COUNTY, W.Va. — A mobile child advocacy center will bring coordinated services for victims of child abuse into Mason County, expanding West Virginia's network of centers to cover 49 counties and giving more than 95% of the state's children access to those services.
The expansion was announced by the Child Advocacy Center at Hoops Family Children's Hospital at Cabell Huntington Hospital, which has provided services in Cabell and Wayne counties since opening nine years ago. The new mobile unit will operate in Mason County under the Marshall Health "Marco Bus," according to hospital officials.
What the centers do and why they matter
Child advocacy centers offer a child-friendly setting where child protection workers, law enforcement, prosecutors and treatment providers work together to investigate allegations, hold offenders accountable and connect children with therapy or counseling. Advocates and medical providers say that coordinated care reduces trauma for children and leads to more reliable investigations.
The centers in West Virginia reported an increase in demand earlier this year. Over the past five years, new children served rose by about 7.5%, and last year the centers supported more than 4,732 children statewide.
"Even in small counties, we are, as teams, deciding that we're going to take care of the kids — that experience things that they never should," said Angie Seay, coordinator for the Child Advocacy Center at Hoops Family Children's Hospital.
Local impact and service details
Mason County residents will now have a closer, less intimidating option for initial interviews and referrals. Nearly half of referrals to the centers were related to allegations of sexual abuse, and during more than 4,600 interviews, 66% of children disclosed abuse, the statewide program reported. Children frequently are referred to follow-up therapy or counseling after their initial contact with a center.
- Centers now cover 49 counties in West Virginia.
- More than 95% of West Virginia children have geographic access to a center.
- Last year, centers served over 4,732 children; nearly half were referred for alleged sexual abuse.
Officials at Hoops Family Children's Hospital have described expanding into Mason County as a deliberate goal to ensure children in smaller communities receive the same coordinated response available elsewhere in the region.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Counties served | 49 |
| Children served (last year) | 4,732 |
| Interviews conducted | 4,600+ |
| Percentage disclosing abuse | 66% |
West Virginia continues to face a high child-abuse caseload compared with other states, according to federal data. Advocates say expanding mobile and regional services is a practical step to reach children who might otherwise face long travel times or limited local resources.
For families and community members in Mason County, the addition of the Marco Bus means there will be a locally available, child-focused entry point to begin investigations and access therapeutic support when abuse is suspected. Hospital and center officials said they view the expansion as filling a critical gap and strengthening the statewide network of care for vulnerable children.
Colton McRae is the West Virginia correspondent for News Block.
