Fired Deputy DHHR Secretary Samples speaks out
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CHARLESTON - Giving his first detailed statement since his firing by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources last Thursday, former deputy secretary Jeremiah Samples cited a difference of opinion on how to best solve the problems the agency is trying to address.
In a full statement released Monday morning, Samples thanked Gov. Jim Justice and DHHR Cabinet Secretary Bill Crouch for allowing him to serve as DHHR deputy secretary since 2017. However, Samples said he and Crouch fell out over how to address fixing the agency and how to address the major health and social problems the agency is charged with fixing.
"Unfortunately, Secretary Crouch and I have not shared the same views on what the problems are, how to handle them, or the urgency of achieving results, but I respect this parting of ways and pray for the State's success in solving these issues," Samples said.
DHHR fired Samples Thursday afternoon with news leaking out about the firing Friday morning taking current and former DHHR employees, lawmakers and friends of Samples by surprise. DHHR released a statement Friday morning confirming that Samples was no longer employed by DHHR, but declining to comment further, citing personnel issues. Samples issued a brief statement Friday night, stating he would release a full statement Monday.
In his detailed statement, Samples praised Justice and the Legislature for allocating more funding and resources to DHHR over the last several years. However, Samples said despite this level of support, DHHR continues to address a number of serious health and social issues.
"Despite having an allocated budget of $7.5 BILLION, tireless dedication by wonderful staff and Commissioners, and an expectation for success from the Governor, DHHR has struggled to make and even lost, progress in many critical areas," Samples said.
"Child welfare, substance use disorder, protection of the vulnerable, management of state health facilities, EMS and provider capacity, supporting client transition from public assistance to the workforce, contract management, and many more DHHR responsibilities have simply not met anyone's expectation, especially my own," Samples continued. "While the answers to these problems are complex, solutions must be found. As a society, we can never forget that every statistic is a real person. We must do better."
Samples has more than 15 years with DHHR, including serving as an assistant to the cabinet secretary starting in 2013 and moving up to deputy secretary in 2017 after newly elected Gov. Justice appointed Crouch as DHHR secretary. Prior to returning to DHHR in 2013, Samples had prior leadership roles at the Governor's Office of Health Enhancement and Lifestyle Planning and the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner.
One of the biggest struggles for DHHR has been the foster care crisis, driven in part by the state's opioid crisis as well as increased numbers of abuse and neglect cases. According to the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, more than 35,000 abuse and neglect cases were filed in county courts between 2011 and 2018, representing 51% of all new juvenile cases.
According to the latest data from DHHR, the number of foster children increased by more than 58% over the last decade, from 4,183 in March 2012 to 6,618 as of March this year. The Legislature has passed several bills over the last few years making reforms to the foster care system, though an attempt to pass another bill this year failed after it was gutted at the request of DHHR.
"For every child protected from harm and family supported, I am far more cognizant, even haunted, by those that have not been saved or that will go unsaved tomorrow," Samples said. "I cannot properly articulate the level of responsibility I personally feel for those suffering and struggling that I have not been able to help."
Samples said he planned to continue working on health and social issues facing the state.
"I remain full of hope. My departure from DHHR is an opportunity to rededicate myself to serving West Virginia and our people," Samples said. "Despite our challenges, I feel positive about the future and the many new ways that I can help our State. I look forward to continuing this work with dedicated partners moving forward. Thank you for allowing me to serve you."