Pamela M. Woodman-Kaehler

Pamela M. Woodman-Kaehler is the Office Director for the Foster Care Ombudsman unit within the Office of Inspector General, WV Department of Health and Human Resources.  This independent and impartial service, created in 2019, is devoted to improving child welfare by investigating and resolving complaints involving foster children and foster parents, monitoring associated legislation and policy, and maintaining an accountable reporting system for the purpose of system-wide improvement.  Prior to this role, Ms. Kaehler was a Child Protective Services Worker in Harrison County, where she was responsible for both investigative and on-going casework services to children and families.  Before devoting her career to child welfare, she served in executive leadership and consulting roles with multi-state responsibility for all operational, financial, quality and compliance functions in complex, outpatient healthcare organizations.  Concurrently, Ms. Kaehler was an approved Independent Review Organization by the U.S. Office of Inspector General and performed rigorous corporate compliance reviews for firms operating under federal Corporate Integrity Settlement Agreements. 

In addition to her routine duties, Ms. Kaehler served as the as the president of the West Virginia Medical Equipment Suppliers Association, was a member of the Medicare Jurisdiction C Council and Advisory Group and was a member of the American Association for Homecare Regulatory Council, where she provided analysis and recommendations regarding emerging and current legislation.  

She was active in her local community as well, serving as the chairman of the United Way of Monongalia & Preston Counties board of directors.  For her family’s contribution and support of the United Way Campaign effort in 2010, she was recognized as the United Way Advocate of the Year.  Ms. Kaehler was board member and officer for the Mountaineer Spay Neuter Assistance Program, a board member for the M.T. Pockets Community Theatre, and is a 2003 graduate of Leadership Monongalia.

Ms. Kaehler is an active advocate for children and families.  In addition to her past service as the state coordinator for the federally mandated Citizen Review Panel for West Virginia’s Bureau of Children and Families, she is a West Virginia DHHR certified foster/adoptive parent and was an active PRIDE co-trainer for new foster/adoptive parents.  

Ms. Kaehler received a master’s degree in business administration from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee and a master’s degree in Social Work from West Virginia University.  Ms. Kaehler is a licensed graduate social worker in West Virginia.