Tag: Child Care

DoHS Closes Cross Lanes Child Care Center Amid Abuse Allegations

A Charleston-area childcare center has ceased operations pending further investigation by the Department of Human Services. It follows the circulation of a video that documented alleged abuse.

A Charleston-area childcare center has ceased operations pending further investigation by the Department of Human Services (DoHS). It follows the circulation of a video that documented alleged abuse.

On Sunday, DoHS placed Cross Lanes Child Care and Learning Center on a provisional license based on preliminary findings of violations including subjecting a child to physical punishment.

Preliminary findings also included: engaging in psychological punishment, failing to report serious occurrences within the required time frame, failing to supervise teaching and support staff and conduct regular staff meetings.

Families who rely on the center for child care can call Connect Child Care Resource and Referral at 1-800-595-8290 for information on available childcare options.

According to a criminal complaint obtained by West Virginia Public Broadcasting, Detective J.R. Coleman, of the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department said Mary Atkins, who used to be employed at the daycare facility, advised witnessing her coworker, Amber Seiler, on several occasions in the summer of 2024 strike a four-year-old special needs female in the mouth area with her hand(s) as well as yell at her during nap time.

Over the weekend, Seiler was arrested for alleged child abuse at the center. Seiler was charged with two misdemeanors for battery and one felony count of battery and assault of a disabled child.

On Friday, DoHS announced it was launching an investigation in response to allegations of misconduct at the facility, following the circulation of a video on social media.

DoHS also urged the public to report any instances of suspected child abuse or neglect directly through the Centralized Intake for Abuse and Neglect, by calling 1-800-352-6513, rather than posting on social media.

In Friday’s release, DoHS said childcare workers are mandated reporters, meaning, under W.Va. Code §49-2-803, certain persons are required to make a report not more than 24 hours after suspecting abuse or neglect.

Cross Lanes Child Care and Learning Center has the right to appeal the decision to place its license on provisional status and reduce the facility’s capacity to zero by requesting an appeal in writing within 30 days.

Cross Lanes Child Care and Learning Center did not respond to West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s voicemail left Monday afternoon.

An estimated 20,000 West Virginia children need a spot in a childcare facility, but child care centers struggle to stay afloat and maintain staff in a state where so many depend on fixed government subsidies.

During a recent special session, lawmakers attempted to ease the financial strain by passing the Childcare Tax Credit Bill, offsetting one to two weeks of the cost of child care for one child annually.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Marshall Health.

Video Sparks Cross Lanes Child Care Center Investigation

A video posted to social media has raised concerns about Cross Lanes Child Care and Learning Center. The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) has launched an immediate investigation in response.

DoHS sent the Bureau for Social Services’ (BSS) Institutional Investigative Unit (IIU) and the Bureau for Family Assistance’s (BFA) Child Care Licensing Unit to the facility. 

These agencies are investigating staff conduct, evaluating child safety protocols, and the center’s adherence to licensing standards.

DoHS will determine any necessary actions based on the investigation’s findings, which could include further involvement from law enforcement or the closure of the facility.

“Our top priority is the safety and well-being of children in West Virginia’s care facilities. We take these allegations very seriously and are committed to acting swiftly and severely, based on the findings,” said Cynthia Persily, secretary of the West Virginia Department of Human Services. “Our team is dedicated to ensuring that all care facilities meet the highest standards of safety and conduct.”

The department urges the public to report any instances of suspected child abuse or neglect directly through the Centralized Intake for Abuse and Neglect, by calling 1-800-352-6513, rather than posting on social media.

Direct reporting helps ensure that such concerns are addressed as quickly and appropriately as possible by the appropriate authorities.

Additionally, under W. Va. Code §49-2-803, certain persons are mandated reporters and required to make a report not more than 24 hours after suspecting abuse or neglect, including child care workers. 

In any case where a mandated reporter believes a child suffered serious physical abuse, the reporter shall immediately make a report to the West Virginia State Police and any law enforcement agency having jurisdiction to investigate the report.

You can view the licensure status of a child care provider here.  

W.Va. To Receive $68 Million For Economic Development

These are part of the latest round of recipients of ARC’s POWER grants, or Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization.

The Appalachian Regional Commission has awarded $68 million to dozens of economic development projects throughout the region.

They include job training programs, the promotion of outdoor recreation and improvements to health care access.

These are part of the latest round of recipients of ARC’s POWER grants, or Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization.

“The investments announced in this round of POWER will help train workers, advance new industries, and build upon the progress already being made toward a brighter future full of economic opportunity for our region,” said Gayle Manchin, the commission’s federal co-chair.

West Virginia received 14 such grants. Among them are $2 million for West Virginia Health Right in Charleston and nearly $2 million for STEM education at Fairmont State University.

The West Virginia Department of Economic Development will receive nearly $2 million to increase affordable child care services.

Another $2 million will help promote tourism in 12 gateway communities to the Monongahela National Forest. And $2 million will support a new Wheeling visitors center.

See a complete list of awardees.

Acting Anecdotes, Declining Overdoses And Child Care Chaos, This West Virginia Week

On this West Virginia Week, we look back at the life of renowned actor James Earl Jones, who died this month at age 93. Jones was a cast member in the 1987 John Sayles film “Matewan,” shot in Thurmond, West Virginia.

Reporter Curtis Tate spoke to David Wohl, who invited Jones to speak to his acting class at West Virginia State University decades before his passing.

Plus, we’ll hear some good news about the overdose rate from public health issues, concerns over how to address a growing child care crisis and the latest on keeping students focused in the classroom.

In this episode, we also travel 110 years into the past, where a murder, payroll robbery and posse chase played out in one weekend in the hills of Mingo County.

West Virginia Public Broadcasting debuted an original radio play entitled “The Last Train to Glen Alum” this week. The story relives the century-old caper through the contemporary writing of News Director Eric Douglas.

Douglas sat down with historian Stan Bumgardner to discuss the dramatic moment in West Virginia history. You can learn more about the play at this link.

Jack Walker is our host this week. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.

West Virginia Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week’s biggest news in the Mountain State. It’s produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Caelan Bailey, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, Randy Yohe and Maria Young.

Learn more about West Virginia Week.

Justice Discusses Plans For Special Session, But No Formal Call Yet

Gov. Jim Justice announced a second special session at the start of September, but a formal call has been made.

A special session is expected to start on Monday, but details of the session have not been announced.

Gov. Jim Justice announced a second special session at the start of September to tackle a proposed additional 5 percent income tax cut, and to address child care in the state. Another special session in May focused primarily on supplementing and amending appropriations. 

But the governor has not formally called the legislature to convene Sept. 30, and no draft bills have emerged.

During a regular press briefing Friday, Justice told reporters that planning and discussion are ongoing.

“We’re still naturally finalizing different things, and we all want the same thing. We’re all really working together,” he said “Well, this is not like a food fight that’s going on or whatever, like that. It’s working together well.”

The governor said he expects the session to take multiple days, but does not want to waste state money or legislators’ time, especially if there is no guarantee of certain bills’ passage.

“If I were told at the 11th hour, ‘We’re not going to vote for this,’ or ‘We’re going to vote for a child care tax break, we’re not going to do that at all.’ Well, I mean, you know, why waste our time?” Justice said. “We’ve got plenty of things to do, really and truly, if all we’re going to do is bring people down and spend state dollars and they’re not going to get anything done on an issue, we don’t need that issue.”

On the issue of child care, Justice said the solution he hoped to see would be twofold. He proposed a one-time, merit-based fund administered through Workforce West Virginia to subsidize child care centers complimented by a tax credit.

“We’re going to add right with that, a state tax break to our families that are having child care,” Justice said. “It’s a complex issue and it’s a national issue, but we’re going to take it on. We won’t fix everything completely. We won’t do that. At the same time, if we can help what we want to do.”

Since the death of Kyneddi Miller earlier this year, legislators and advocates have discussed legislation to further regulate homeschooling being included in a special session. On Friday, Justice said a draft was being worked on, but that it was a complicated issue that may be better left to the general session in January.

“We’re trying,” he said. “We understand and the tragedy of circumstances that have happened with folks. We need to do better. There’s no question we need to do better. But boy, what a complex issue. And if we don’t watch out, this may be better in a general session than in a special session to tell you true.”

A Child Care Crisis And Banned Book Week, This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, estimates suggest one-third of West Virginia children are not receiving sufficient child care. Gov. Jim Justice is calling lawmakers to Charleston on Monday for a special session where child care will be a main topic of discussion.

Briana Heaney visited the Capitol and spoke to child care providers to learn more about the state’s growing crisis.

Meanwhile, we’re in the middle of Banned Book Week, an annual campaign that raises awareness about efforts to remove books from libraries and schools. Reporter Caelan Bailey tells us how restrictions on book access have affected West Virginia.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

Exit mobile version