Study Identifies Needs For W.Va. Teens Aging Out Of Foster Care 

Young adults transitioning out of foster care in West Virginia can’t access key resources for success, according to a new study.  

The Foster Care Community Needs Assessment Report, conducted by the nonprofit FPC Hope, looked at available services for former foster teens in Kanawha and Clay Counties.  

It found significant gaps in service, including stable housing, mental health and substance use treatment, transportation and mentoring. 

“Life skills is something that people learn over time,” said Kyla Nichols, the Hope Center’s executive director. “It doesn’t happen overnight, and typically it’s something that you learn from family members and life experiences and consistency, and for a lot of these kids they’re not able to do that because they’re living in a continued state of trauma and inconsistency, in survival mode.” 

Transportation is also a significant need, she said. 

“If you’re outside of Charleston city limits, transportation is limited. Bus routes are limited. Ubers are limited. Certainly taxis are limited, and so if you don’t have transportation, you can’t access your medical appointments, you can’t access going to see a counselor, and it makes higher education harder to obtain,” Nichols said.  

There are roughly 2,000 teens in foster care in West Virginia. According to the study, only about 13% of those who age out get federally funded support services, compared to a national average of 81%.