<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><item href="/news/2026/01/fairmont-state-kicks-2026-legislative-session-commitment-west-virginias-future-through-child-welfare-care-advocacy-more.aspx" dsn="blogs"><featured/><pubDate>01/13/2026 10:00:38 AM</pubDate><title>Fairmont State Kicks Off 2026 Legislative Session with Commitment to West Virginia’s Future Through Child Welfare Care Advocacy and More</title><description>Fairmont State and its partners, West Virginia Schools of Diversion &amp; 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. </description><image><img src="/_images/news/fostercare_day_at_capitol_media_release-news.jpg" alt="Brittany Gould, Sarah Marshall, Regional Director of KVC Health Systems, and Emily Swain at the 2025 Fairmont State Day at the Capitol"/></image><tags><tag>Academics</tag><tag>Alumni</tag><tag>Events</tag><tag>News</tag></tags></item>