A Kanawha County Circuit Court judge, Maryclaire Akers, has rescheduled an important hearing about the practice of housing foster children in hotels.
Originally set for March 3, the hearing will now take place this Friday to accommodate the newly appointed West Virginia Department of Human Services DoHS Secretary, Alex Mayer.
Akers has expressed appreciation for Mayer’s cooperation in attending the hearing, which will focus on concerns raised after a foster child placed in a hotel attempted suicide.
The hearing, which is available for virtual observation, will address the safety and appropriateness of such placements, considering past incidents that have raised alarm.
These incidents include reports of physical injuries, medical distress, and children engaging in violent behaviors while in hotel placements. Akers also highlighted concerns about the lack of emergency placements for children in state custody, with over 6,000 children in DoHS care.
The hearing will discuss the processes behind these placements, contracts, staff-to-child ratios, and staff training on restraining children.
This follows earlier reports on the state’s reliance on temporary housing, including hotels, costing $2.1 million annually.
Additionally, staffing shortages within DoHS have prompted other judges, including Judge Timothy Sweeney, to take action regarding the department’s ability to manage child welfare cases effectively.
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