Camp Virgil Tate’s agreement to house foster kids is under review

Kanawha County 4-H Foundation Treasurer Oscar Hutchison said the agreement to house foster kids at Camp Virgil Tate is under review and the foundation has to present a corrective plan to the Kanawha County Commission. Hutchison went to Thursday’s Kanawha County Commission meeting to request $60,000 for the Kanawha County 4-H Foundation’s budget. Kanawha County Commission President Ben Salango expressed his frustration over a communication breakdown between the 4-H board and the commission involving the housing of at-risk youth. Last week, Kanawha County Circuit Court Judge Maryclaire Akers’ held a hearing to answer to the appropriateness of placing foster children in hotels and at Camp Virgil Tate. With the foster care agreement over, Salango and Commissioner Lance Wheeler said that before they could guarantee the $60,000 for the 4-H budget, they wanted to see a plan of action to correct issues and improve communication between the foundation and the county. They will meet back with the commission on March 18 to make a decision on the budget allocation.