SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 46

(By Senators Boso and Karnes)

[Introduced February 24, 2016.]

Requesting the United States General Services Administration resolve to support the KVC Health Systems, Inc., plan to reuse the Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Sugar Grove Support Facility for the purposes of establishing a specialized education enrichment facility primarily targeted toward foster care children.

Whereas, The Legislature recognizes that the Navy Information Operations Command Sugar Grove Support Facility closed on September 30, 2015; and

Whereas, This facility is being offered to eligible organizations through the General Services Administration real property disposal process; and

Whereas, Thirty thousand young adults age out of foster care each year; and

Whereas, Only two percent of those young adults who age out graduate from college; and

Whereas, These young adults are at high risk of becoming homeless, unemployed, incarcerated, victimized, or unexpectedly pregnant and, in all such cases, dependent on continued public assistance without the appropriate supports and opportunities; and

Whereas, There is a compelling need for real solutions to this social problem; and

Whereas, KVC Health Systems, Inc., has proposed a plan for reuse of the NIOC Sugar Grove Support Facility to establish a specialized education enrichment facility primarily targeted toward foster care children; and

Whereas, The Legislature is not aware of any other organization with viable plans for reuse of the facility at Sugar Grove; and

Whereas, KVC Health Systems, Inc., is a §501(c)(3) organization based in Olathe, Kansas with a subsidiary organization in West Virginia providing foster care services and related services; and

Whereas, KVC Health Systems is a national leader in delivery of foster care, adoption services, and related mental and behavioral health supports; and

Whereas, KVC Health Systems has consistently reported revenues in excess of $100 million annually, demonstrating sufficient organizational resources capable of managing and maintaining a project of this magnitude; and

Whereas, No facility of this nature exists in the nation; and

Whereas, The State of West Virginia has an opportunity to collaborate with KVC Health Systems, Inc., to effect positive outcomes for these young adults; and

Whereas, Establishment of a specialized education enrichment facility promotes economic growth in the state; and

Whereas, The plans of KVC Health Systems, Inc., for reuse have been endorsed by the Pendleton County Commission, Pendleton County Economic Development Authority, the West Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Governor of West Virginia; and

Whereas, Continuing growth and development of West Virginia's economy is of major concern to all our citizens, as is the well-being of our young people; and

Whereas, This is a unique opportunity to foster the promotion of both of those objectives through the establishment of the nation’s first specialized education enrichment facility designed for young adults aging out of foster care; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the United States General Services Administration is hereby requested to support the KVC Health Systems, Inc., plan to repurpose the Navy Information Operations Command Sugar Grove Support Facility, disposing of the Command's real property to the KVC Health Systems, Inc., for the purpose of extending foster care services to more children of West Virginia; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the West Virginia Legislature provides its full endorsement of the KVC Health Systems, Inc., plan for reuse of the Sugar Grove facility.