Slow progress is being made toward improving circumstances for state Child Protective Services workers and those they serve. Last week, state Department of Human Service Secretary Alex Mayer announced decreases in child welfare vacancies, which sit at a rate of 8.5% as of Sept. 1, compared to 27.3% in 2023.

Mayer focused on CPS vacancies in Doddridge, Pleasants, Upshur, Lewis and Ritchie counties, about which concerns had rightly been raised by Third Judiciary Circuit Court Judge Tim Sweeney. Mayer had been among those DHS and Bureau of Social Services officials ordered by Sweeney to appear to receive assignments as CPS workers.

Though Sweeney had his hand slapped for the move, it does appear to have spurred action. Ritchie County still has vacancy issues, as does Lewis County. But Doddridge, Pleasants and Upshur counties now have zero vacancies.

Among the changes made have been implementing a mentorship program with CPS workers, and traveling Training, Technical Assistance and Practical Application teams that offer one-on-one guidance and support for complex cases. The bureau is also working with Marshall University on a new Trauma-Sensitive Workplace team.

Good.

Slow progress is better than none at all.

But Sweeney was right to risk public admonishment for the sake of Mountain State children in desperate need of allies. Here’s hoping Mayer and his colleagues continue to work toward ensuring neither Sweeney nor any other West Virginia judge feels compelled to do so again.