he Wood County Child Welfare & Protection (WCCWPB) boards have exciting news: as of Nov. 18, they will be opening their new foster care visitation center, which is called “The Nest.”

The Nest, say board members, has been a long time in coming. It is a place in Quitman where foster kids can have supervised meetings with biological parents – a place where kids can feel safe, watched over and loved.

According to WCCWPB Assistant Secretary Shelly Griffin, most foster kids meet with their parents in fast food restaurants, parks, libraries or other public spaces.

“These are places that lack privacy, consistency and, in many cases, safety,” said Griffin.

Thus The Nest, a refurbished home that will include – among many other resources – a big living room area, a private kitchen where parents can bring or even prepare food for their children, an outdoor play area and three rooms themed to certain ages.

Each visiting room in The Nest will also feature a non-intrusive monitoring room next door to ensure that children are safe with the visiting parents.

The WCCWPB will be holding a celebratory open house, tour and ribbon cutting Nov. 18 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. The Nest is located at 430 W. Bermuda St. in Quitman near the Rainbow Room.