Kanawha Commission Considers Camp Virgil Tate for Foster Children
- – The Kanawha County Commission convened to address escalating concerns regarding the temporary housing of at-risk foster children at camp Virgil Tate.The situation, which has led to multiple...
- The core issue revolves around the suitability of Camp Virgil Tate as a temporary residence for foster children with specific needs.
- County commissioner Ben Salango expressed his surprise at the arrangement, stating he was unaware of Child Protective Services (CPS) housing children at the camp until a recent circuit...
Kanawha County Commission Addresses Foster Children Placement Concerns at Camp Virgil Tate
Table of Contents
- Kanawha County Commission Addresses Foster Children Placement Concerns at Camp Virgil Tate
- Camp Virgil Tate and Kanawha County Foster Care concerns: A Q&A Guide
- Key questions and Answers
- Why was the Kanawha county Commission discussing Camp Virgil Tate?
- What is Camp Virgil Tate’s role in foster care?
- What concerns did County Commissioners raise about the foster care placements?
- What is the West Virginia Department of Human Services’ stance on foster care placements?
- what was the camp board’s response to the concerns?
- what are the financial implications for Camp Virgil Tate?
- What is the “action plan” the commissioners are requiring?
- what are the key actions and deadlines related to Camp Virgil Tate and the County Commission?
- Were there previous issues at camp Virgil Tate?
- What is camp Virgil Tate’s history and purpose?
- Key questions and Answers
KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. – The Kanawha County Commission convened to address escalating concerns regarding the temporary housing of at-risk foster children at camp Virgil Tate.The situation, which has led to multiple police calls in the past month, prompted a thorough discussion among commissioners on Thursday night.
Camp Virgil Tate’s Role in Foster Care
The core issue revolves around the suitability of Camp Virgil Tate as a temporary residence for foster children with specific needs. oscar Hutchison, treasurer for the camp board, clarified that foster children have been accommodated in a cabin on five separate occasions as 2023, with stays ranging from a couple of days to a week. This arrangement has raised questions about oversight and the camp’s capacity to handle at-risk youth.
Commissioners Voice Concerns Over Foster Care placements
County commissioner Ben Salango expressed his surprise at the arrangement, stating he was unaware of Child Protective Services (CPS) housing children at the camp until a recent circuit court hearing. Salango emphasized potential liability issues for the county, stating:
When you’ve got children out there threatening one another and attacking some of the workers, the liability is different.
The West Virginia Department of Human Services acknowledges the challenges of finding suitable placements for children in foster care.With approximately 6,000 children in the system, the department has resorted to “non-conventional placements for difficult-to-place kids.”
salango further revealed that the children were moved to Camp Virgil Tate after causing important damage to hotels, leading to their eviction. “They destroyed the hotels,” Salango stated during the meeting. “The hotels kicked them out.”
Doubt in Leadership
Commissioner Lance Wheeler voiced strong disapproval of the situation, stating:
I’m not against Camp Virgil Tate, but I have a loss of confidence in leadership. The idea of having CPS come out with at-risk kids should have been a no-brainer no from start.
Hutchison admitted to errors in judgment, stating, “We obviously made some glaring mistakes in allowing them there.” He clarified that while the camp provided housing, leadership was not authorized to have direct contact or involvement with the children.
Financial Implications and Future Plans for Camp Virgil Tate
The camp board has requested a flat budget of $60,000 from the commission, consistent with annual allocations as 2017. However, commissioners are now requiring the camp board to develop an action plan to address the issues raised before a funding decision is made.
The commission is scheduled to vote on the budget on March 18,with the possibility of revisions based on the camp’s proposed action plan.
Key Concerns and Actions
- Police Involvement: Multiple calls to Camp Virgil Tate due to issues with foster children.
- Liability Concerns: county perhaps liable for incidents involving foster children at the camp.
- Budget Request: Camp Virgil Tate requests $60,000 in funding.
- Action Plan: Commissioners require an action plan from the camp board to address the situation.
- Budget Vote: The commission will vote on the budget on March 18.
Camp Virgil Tate and Kanawha County Foster Care concerns: A Q&A Guide
This article addresses the concerns surrounding the housing of foster children at Camp Virgil Tate in Kanawha County, West Virginia, and the subsequent discussions and actions taken by the kanawha County commission.
Key questions and Answers
Why was the Kanawha county Commission discussing Camp Virgil Tate?
The Kanawha County Commission convened to address concerns regarding the temporary housing of at-risk foster children at Camp Virgil Tate. This arose due to multiple police calls and questions about the suitability of the camp for this purpose.
What is Camp Virgil Tate’s role in foster care?
Camp Virgil Tate temporarily housed foster children on five separate occasions in 2023, with stays ranging from a few days to a week. Oscar Hutchison, treasurer for the camp board, clarified this involvement. This use raised questions about oversight and the camp’s capacity to handle children with specific needs.
What concerns did County Commissioners raise about the foster care placements?
Commissioners voiced several key concerns:
Liability: Commissioner Ben salango expressed surprise at the arrangement, emphasizing potential liability issues for the county if incidents occurred involving foster children harming themselves or others.
Suitability: Commissioner Lance Wheeler expressed a loss of confidence in leadership, suggesting housing at-risk children at the camp shoudl have been promptly rejected.
Unconventional Placements: Salango revealed the children were moved to the camp after being evicted from hotels due to property damage, raising questions about the stability and appropriateness of their placements.
What is the West Virginia Department of Human Services’ stance on foster care placements?
The West Virginia Department of Human Services acknowledges the challenges of finding suitable placements for children in foster care. With approximately 6,000 children in the system, the department has resorted to “non-conventional placements for arduous-to-place kids.”
what was the camp board’s response to the concerns?
Oscar Hutchison, the camp board treasurer, admitted to errors in judgment in allowing the foster children to be housed there. He clarified that while the camp provided housing, their leadership was not authorized to have direct contact or involvement with the children.
what are the financial implications for Camp Virgil Tate?
The camp board requested a $60,000 budget from the commission, consistent with annual allocations sence 2017. However, the commissioners are now requiring the camp board to develop an action plan to address the issues raised before a funding decision is made. The commission is scheduled to vote on the budget on March 18.
What is the “action plan” the commissioners are requiring?
The commissioners are requiring Camp Virgil Tate to create an action plan that outlines how they will address the issues raised regarding the housing of foster children,including liability,safety,and oversight.
| Action | Details | Deadline |
| :————————– | :————————————————————————————————————- | :———- |
| Camp’s Action Plan | Camp Virgil Tate must develop and submit an action plan addressing the foster care placement concerns. | Unspecified* |
| Commission Budget Vote | The Kanawha County Commission will vote on Camp Virgil Tate’s budget request, perhaps with revisions. | March 18 |
Were there previous issues at camp Virgil Tate?
News reports indicate the camp faced potential closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The community was called upon to help, and the camp received emergency funds from the Kanawha County Commission to remain open.
What is camp Virgil Tate’s history and purpose?
Camp Virgil Tate was established in 1954 when Virgil C.Tate donated his 57-acre farm to create a 4-H camp for the youth of Kanawha County. The Kanawha County 4-H Foundation was established to manage the camp.