Gov. Patrick Morrisey vetoed a bill that would have expanded West Virginia’s programs to support children emerging from foster care live independently, find jobs, continue their education and more. (Getty Images)
The Children’s Home Society of West Virginia operates 54 programs across the state to serve teens and youth transitioning out of foster care.
“They leave foster care without a plan and a place to go, and then the children become homeless,” said Mary White, executive director of the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia. “We were contacted by law enforcement about a young man living in a tent under a bridge.”
The program helps vulnerable youth – who have often completed multiple internships before their age – learn crucial life skills, such as managing their finances or doing laundry.
“We’ve had a lot of good success stories,” she continued. “If they get married and/or have children, we hope that their children don’t end up in foster care. That’s prevention.”
The program could employ an raise in funding, White said, because there are waiting lists for West Virginia youth who want to participate in the independent living program.
Governor Patrick Morrisey vetoed a bill that would have expanded programs in West Virginia who support children coming out of care with independent living, finding work, continuing their education and much more.
In his Veto messagethe Republican governor referred to the possible price House Bill 4730 contained “uncontrollable cost drivers”.
“…This expansion will cost a minimum of $5,000,000 in the first year,” Morrisey wrote.
“We are disappointed that the bill was vetoed because it would have expanded opportunities for organizations to provide this service to more children,” White said. “We don’t want these kids to be homeless and in prison when they’ve been through so much in their lives.”
Del. Adam Burkhammer, R-Lewis, sponsored the legislation, saying it was a solution to the state’s ongoing caregiving problems. He cited grim national statistics about children aging out of care, such as: estimated 20% of juvenile adults living in foster care will become homeless if they are emancipated at the age of 18.
The bill passed unanimously passes the Senateand the House of Representatives passed it on a. approved Voted 95-1.
“I’m definitely disappointed in the vetoes,” said Burkhammer, who is a foster parent. “Ultimately, I respect the process and want to continue to work with the governor and the leadership team to ensure we are doing what is best for all of our children and families.”
There are 5,922 children in foster care in West Virginia, with the highest proportion of these children being between the ages of 13 and 17. More than 400 juvenile adults in foster care are between 18 and 20 years senior.
The rejected bill would have made it necessary The state should maximize available federal funding earmarked for children transitioning out of foster care by age 21. West Virginia is not fully utilizing federal funding available to these juvenile adults in foster care.
“Child welfare is expensive, but I see it more as an investment in our future, and that’s why I think we need to be careful about investing the funds strategically and in the right places to ensure they have the best possible outcomes as children grow from childhood into adulthood,” Burkhammer said.
White pointed out that if the state doesn’t invest in helping these juvenile adults exit care, the state may have to pay more in the long run.
“We’re going to pay for it, whether it’s prison costs or homelessness … or a government assistance program,” she said. “That preventive piece to help them get back on their feet is really critical. I hope we continue to see stronger support for that.”
She noted that the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia has received ongoing support from the state Department of Human Services.
“We want to be a good partner, and unfortunately that’s out of their control. You know, they don’t control the budget. They don’t control the funding or the ability to expand the program. That has to come from the governor,” she said.
Morrisey vetoed several other bills focused on child welfareincluding a measure supported by BurkhammerTo do this, the state should have developed and implemented a solid plan to prevent children from being placed in foster care.
The measure House Bill 4393was passed unanimously by the House and Senate.
“We want to support local families and try to keep families together. We believe that this is the best approach if it can be done safely. This is one of the answers to our difficult crisis, which is to keep families together,” said Burkhammer.
The governor wrote in his Veto message that he felt that the legislation was too inflexible in its requirements.
A prevention plan “must include meaningful risk factors and focus on services needed to strengthen the family ties of those in need. Additionally, the plan must allow for flexibility and growth,” Morrisey wrote.
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