Lorie Bragg is no longer the commissioner of the state’s Bureau for Social Services, a position tasked with overseeing the troubled foster care system.

Bragg officially stepped into the role in May of last year within Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s administration. She confirmed the exit to West Virginia Watch on Wednesday. 

“I was grateful for the opportunity to do that, to even step up into commissioner,” Bragg said. “It really was a privilege to work with the people that I worked with … I’m closing a chapter, and I’m just looking forward to what comes next, new opportunities and still making a difference with children and families. This has been my heart my whole career.”

Bragg had more than two decades of experience in child welfare and social services, including previously serving as Child Protective Services case aide. 

There are more than 5,600 children in West Virginia foster care. More than 500 of those children are living out of state due to West Virginia’s shortage of in-state care options, and the Department of Human Services continues to house foster children in hotel rooms.

DoHS Secretary Carl Ayers also confirmed Bragg’s exit this week.

“We can confirm that Ms. Bragg is no longer an employee of the Department of Human Services. This is a personnel matter, therefore, we cannot provide further information or comment,” he wrote in an email.

Former Department. of Human Services Secretary Alex Mayer resigned from his position earlier this year, marking another major turnover in child welfare under Gov. Patrick Morrisey. Mayer now works in the private sector. 

Bragg emphasized the hard work of the Bureau of Social Services’ staff during her tenure.

“I really have tremendous respect for them. Our providers, like our foster families, kinship families, the community partners that we work with, I feel like all of them truly do work together to support West Virginia’s children and families,” she said.

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