environment has been specifically tailored to meet educational , developmental and emotional needs through robust infrastructure designed to ensure long-term success .
KVC Health System , the organization behind this ground-breaking educational institution , is a nonprofit organization based in Olathe , KS , with subsidiaries in West Virginia , Kentucky , Kansas , Missouri , Nebraska and Washington , D . C . Recently recognized by Governor Jim Justice , KVC is a national leader in child welfare , youth advocacy and establishing outcome-based services , and it is a pioneer in trauma systems therapy . KVC ’ s success is built on a foundation of care focused on educational , medical and behavioral health care and social services .
Making a Home in Montgomery
The new school ’ s campus is located in Montgomery , WV , on the former site of West Virginia University Institute of Technology ( WVU Tech ), alongside BridgeValley Community and Technical College ( CTC ). It combines innovative educational methods with in-demand vocational skills training built on an infrastructure of specialized health services . Emphasis will be on post-graduation , on-the-job training opportunities and career placement support .
Montgomery was chosen because of its existing school structures and adequate space for future growth . The town is accustomed to a student population from WVU Tech ’ s history there . In addition , Montgomery has a local hospital with ready access to student health care and the potential to partner on educational programs . Montgomery is only 30 minutes from the state capitol and is close to towns strong in ecotourism .
In Numbers
Partnership for Success
KVC ’ s college concept , founded with a focus on partnership and collaboration , includes community involvement and will create a significant economic impact . KVC has partnered with BridgeValley CTC to provide the core educational component and accreditation . The KVC campus will feature hands-on classroom instruction , campus living experiences , on-campus internships , life coaching and access to health services necessary to bridge the gap between foster care and successful , independent living .
“ The partnership between BridgeValley , KVC and the YMCA will provide a sense of community and academic support to empower these students transitioning out of care ,” says Dr . Eunice Bellinger , president of BridgeValley . “ There is a dire need to increase the college-going rate of this population , and BridgeValley ’ s caring community and innovative curriculum is a perfect environment for these students to gain life skills and a college degree to unlock a bright future while helping revitalize Montgomery .”
Community Impact
In addition to addressing a national crisis , KVC anticipates its college campus will benefit the local Montgomery community , Upper Kanawha Valley and the overall state economy by preserving and creating jobs . KVC is in discussions with a wide range of partners to create vibrant offerings for students as well as revitalization for the community . The YMCA of Kanawha Valley is an integral partner and is creating a YMCA community center for the school and community in the impressive Neal Baisi Athletic Center . It will not only provide recreational and athletic
SOURCE : Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative and Chapin Hall Center for Children .
Nearly 428,000 youth are in foster care in the U . S . at any given time . Only 2 % earn a degree after high school . 12-30 % struggle with homelessness . 40-63 % don ’ t complete high school . 22-55 % are unemployed . 32-40 % are forced to rely on some form of public assistance . 50 % experience extreme financial hardship . 31-42 % have been arrested . 18-26 % are incarcerated . 40-60 % of the young women are pregnant within 12-18 months of aging out .
“ The partnership between BridgeValley , KVC and the YMCA will provide a sense of community and academic support to empower these students transitioning out of care .”
opportunities , but it also will create an estimated 90-105 full-time and part-time jobs .
“ I have never seen such strong local community support for a YMCA as we are enjoying in the Montgomery-Smithers area ,” says Monty Warner , president and CEO of YMCA of Kanawha Valley . “ KVC is to be congratulated for recognizing the needs of the community in regard to health and wellness and for making it possible for the YMCA to move in and tend to those needs .”
KVC anticipates that the school itself will create 210 jobs within the first 10 years . Fully functional , it estimates the economic impact to be $ 22 million annually .
“ KVC is a catalyst to create a synergism of energy and innovative interest in the Upper Kanawha Valley ,” says Greg Ingram , mayor of Montgomery . “ BridgeValley CTC , the YMCA and a renewed interest from the residents are obvious changes taking place , and it is exciting to be a part of this movement . I believe KVC and the Montgomery area are a perfect match for respectable future accomplishments .”
As the school takes shape and the details are finalized , leaders and organizations across the U . S . have already endorsed KVC ’ s plan . Organizations ranging from the Annie E . Casey Foundation to the Chapin Hall Center for Children at the University of Chicago have stated that a college experience designed for this population would be an important contribution to the success of young people transitioning from foster care to adulthood .
KVC is making this happen — right here in West Virginia . •
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