Bill to Overhaul W.Va.’s Foster Care System Begins to Move in the House

We take an in-depth look at House Bill 2010 – modifying the state’s foster care system by transitioning it into managed care. We’ll also bring you the latest action on Senate Bill 1 – the ‘last dollar in’ community and technical college bill, and we have a piece on volunteerism in West Virginia.

SB 1, creating a grant program to pay the remaining tuition balance for community and technical college students was on the amendment stage in the Senate Tuesday, and it stirred up quite a bit of debate. Senior Statehouse Reporter Dave Mistich brings us the story.

HB 2010, which would significantly restructure the state’s foster care system, passed out of the House Health and Human Resources Committee Tuesday afternoon after a public hearing earlier in the day. The bill would shift the health care of foster children in West Virginia to a managed care system. It also seeks to make it easier to recruit foster parents.

Host Suzanne Higgins is joined by Sam Hickman, Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers, WV Chapter, and Jim McKay, State Director of Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia.

Some 3,800 National Service Volunteers work in West Virginia each year under the leadership of Volunteer WV – the state’s Commission. Reporter Danite Belay spoke with commission members on a recent visit to the capitol. 

On Wednesday’s show, we take a look at the growing oil and gas industry in West Virginia, including the perspective of property owners who believe their rights are being violated.