Team for West Virginia Children

10/13/2026

Every child deserves a safe ride. ❤️

The Putnam County Family Support Center is offering a FREE Car Seat Safety Class on October 19 from 4:30-5:30 PM at 960 Roosevelt Blvd.

Whether you're an expecting parent, new parent, grandparent, or caregiver, this is a great opportunity to learn more about keeping children safe on the road.

Refreshments provided. See the original post for details! 🚗 💙 👼🏾

10/07/2026

🎃👻 Looking for a family adventure this weekend?

Join our friends at the Greater Huntington Park & Recreation District Haunted Hike at Ritter Park!

📅 October 11-Sunday
⏰ 6:30 PM
📍 Gobblers K**b, Ritter Park
💀 FREE

🌲 See the original post below for more details on the Haunted Hike.

👀 This is a spooky experience, so expect to be startled and make sure you feel it's appropriate for your child's age and comfort level.

⚠️ Arrive early to complete your waiver before the hike.

See you in the woods... if you dare! 🎃🦇👻

RESCHEDULED DUE TO WEATHER. DETAILS IN COMMENTS ‼️

Getting ready to join us for GHPRD’s HAUNTED HIKE through Ritter Park this Sunday? Here’s everything you need to know before you hit the trail!

📅 Sunday, October 11, 2026
⏰ 6:30 PM
📍 Ritter Park — Gobblers K**b
💀 FREE to attend

🌲 THE HIKE

The hike will be approximately 0.6 miles round trip. While it is a relatively short distance, there is a steep elevation gain of approximately 60 feet toward the end of the trail, so be prepared for a little bit of a climb!

The hike will begin around sunset, but it will get dark along the trail, so we strongly recommend bringing a flashlight or headlamp.

👻 WHAT TO EXPECT

This is more than your average hike! Along the trail, you’ll encounter live scares, familiar faces from horror movies, and Huntington’s own ghost lore.

⚠️ BEFORE YOU ENTER THE TRAIL

• A waiver must be completed before entering the trail.
• Wear comfortable shoes suitable for uneven outdoor terrain.
• Bring a flashlight or headlamp.
• Be prepared for darkness, uneven ground, roots, rocks, and elevation changes.
• Stay within the marked trail.
• This is a spooky experience — expect to be startled! 👀

There is no registration required, but please arrive early enough to complete your waiver before your hike.

See you in the woods…

10/06/2026

Big feelings are a normal part of being a toddler! 🧠 💙

Young children are still developing the parts of their brain that help them manage emotions, behavior, and impulses. That's why they may know the rules but still struggle to stop themselves in the moment.

Patience, guidance, and practice help those important skills grow over time. 💙

Learn more about how your child's brain is developing with the Baby Brain Map: 🔗 https://bit.ly/4y5nGa2

Self-control takes time to grow. Toddlers have big feelings, but the parts of their brain that help manage emotions, behavior and impulses are still developing.

“Putting on the brakes” can be especially hard. They may know they shouldn’t grab your phone or hit when they’re frustrated, but knowing the rule and stopping themselves are two different things.

Curious about that amazing little brain? Explore our Baby Brain Map to learn more: https://bit.ly/4y5nGa2

10/05/2026

💙 The ABCS of Safe Sleep are an easy way to remember important steps for creating a safer sleep environment for baby.

💛 Alone, but Nearby
💛 Place Baby on Back
💛 In a Crib, Bassinet, or Pack and Play
💛 100% Smoke & Vape-Free Environment

Every step helps create a safer sleep space and supports healthy development for babies.

✅ Say YES to Safe Sleep!

For more safe sleep tips, education, and resources, be sure to follow Our Babies: Safe & Sound.

💙

The ABCS of Safe Sleep are an easy way to remember important steps for creating a safer sleep environment for baby. 💛

A — Alone, but Nearby
B — Place Baby on Back
C — In a Crib, Bassinet or Pack and Play
S — 100% Smoke & Vape-free Environment

Over the next few days, we’ll take a closer look at each part of the ABCS and what it means for safer sleep.

Say YES to Safe Sleep!

10/02/2026

🎃 Save the Date for FREE Halloween Family Fun!

Join our friends at the Greater Huntington Park & Recreation District for their first-ever Halloween Carnival at Ritter Park!

🎢 Rides
🎯 Games & prizes
🎈 Inflatables
🎨 Face painting
🌭 Food trucks
🎃 Costumes encouraged!

📅 October 17, 2026
⏰ 5–9 PM
📍 Ritter Park
🎟️ Free & open to the public

Bring your family, grab a friend, and enjoy a fun-filled evening in the park! 👻🍂

🎃 GHPRD HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL IS COMING TO RITTER PARK! 👻

The Greater Huntington Park & Recreation District is excited to announce our first-ever Halloween Carnival, happening Saturday, October 17th from 5–9 PM at Ritter Park!

We’re bringing an evening of FREE family fun to the park, featuring:
🎢 Carnival rides
🎈 Inflatables
🎯 Carnival games
🏆 Prizes
🎨 Face painting
🛍️ Local vendors
🌭 Food trucks
🎃 And more!

Costumes are encouraged, so come dressed in your favorite Halloween costume and get ready for a night of fun for the whole family!

We’re especially excited to have Mayo Tree Company and the InnerGeek joining us as our Presenting Sponsors. Their support is helping us bring this new community event to life, and we are incredibly grateful for their partnership!

Also, shoutout to the incredible local artist, Heath Holley, who created this extra spooky flyer for us!

📅 Saturday, October 17, 2026
⏰ 5–9 PM
📍 Ritter Park
🎟️ FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Bring the family, put on your costumes, and join GHPRD for a night of Halloween fun at Ritter Park! 🎃👻

09/30/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Madison Cisco!

Madison was recently sworn in by Judge Rich Lindsay and is now serving as a Permanency Specialist with Western Regional CASA's Aftercare Program.

She will support children, youth, and families across Cabell, Wayne, Lincoln, Putnam, Boone, and Kanawha Counties, helping them build on their strengths and supporting their ongoing success as they move toward brighter futures.

Please join us in welcoming Madison to this important role! 💙

Ready to help make a difference for children in your community? Are you ready to ?

Reach out to Western Regional CASA, a program of TEAM for West Virginia Children, at 📧 [email protected] to learn how you can get involved.

💙

09/29/2026

💚 The foundation for lifelong well-being begins in the earliest years.

That's why we're excited to share this Save the Date for the upcoming Infant Mental Health Week Webinar Series from the West Virginia Infant/Toddler Mental Health Association-a program of TEAM for West Virginia Children.

Whether you're a parent, caregiver, educator, healthcare provider, or advocate for children, this week of learning offers valuable insights and practical tools to support young children and the adults who care for them.

📅 November 2-6
⏰ Daily from 12:00-1:30 PM

🔗 Learn more and watch for registration details: www.nurturingwvbabies.org

✨ Save this post and share with someone who cares about helping children thrive.

09/28/2026

🎄🪿 Looking for a fun and festive way to kick off the holiday season?

Our friends at the Greater Huntington Park & Recreation District are bringing back their popular concrete goose workshop with a holiday twist! 🎅✨

After the incredible response to their spring workshop, they're partnering with Cottage in the Woods for a festive event filled with holiday cheer, creative fun, tasty treats, and plenty of big honkin' goose excitement. 🪿🎄❤️

Mark your calendars now! 🗓️ Tickets go on sale November 3.

Be sure to follow The Greater Huntington Parks and Recreation District for all the details and get ready to create your very own holiday goose masterpiece! 🎨🎄🪿

We woke up feeling extra Holly Jolly this morning and wanted to let you guys in on a little secret… 🎄👀

Due to the overwhelming success and continued interest in our “Paint & Create Concrete Goose Workshop” back in May, we’re so excited to announce a holiday edition! 🎅🪿✨

We’re teaming up with our friends at Cottage in the Woods to source our gaggle, and we cannot wait to have you join us for a festive, big honkin’ goose party! 🪿🎄

Think adorable holiday outfits, festive treats, plenty of Christmas cheer, and everything BUT baking an actual Christmas goose. 😂

So, mark those calendars! 🗓️
Tickets go on sale Tuesday, November 3rd.

Get ready to paint, create, and make your very own holiday goose! ❤️🎄🪿

09/25/2026

🚗💉 Roll through. Get protected.

Flu season is coming, and now is the perfect time to get vaccinated!

📅 October 2
⏰ 8:30 AM–3:00 PM
📍 703 7th Avenue, Huntington

FREE drive-through flu shots from the Cabell-Huntington Health Department.

Protect yourself, protect your family, and help keep kids healthy by ensuring everyone is up to date on recommended vaccines. 💙🦠

🚗💉 ROLL UP. DRIVE THROUGH. GET PROTECTED!

The countdown is on! CHHD’s Annual Drive-Through Flu Vaccine Clinic is NEXT FRIDAY!

📅 October 2
⏰ 8:30 AM–3:00 PM
📍 703 7th Avenue, Huntington

FREE flu shots to help you and your family get ready for flu season.

🦠 Don’t wait for flu season to hit — get protected now!

09/24/2026

💙 Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Thrive from the Start Community Round Table!

We are incredibly grateful to each person who shared their experiences, insights, and ideas as we discussed the realities of housing instability during pregnancy and parenting young children. Your voices help inform solutions that support families and strengthen communities.

A special thank you to our table hosts Beth, Linda, and Jim, our children's program host Hollieann, and the staff and women of Serenity Hills for being part of this important conversation. Shout out to the Ohio County Family Resource Network - WV for their partnership!

📍 Stay tuned! Two more Thrive from the Start round tables will be held in West Virginia, with details coming soon.

📸 To protect the privacy of participants, no photographs of round table participants were taken. The photos shared here feature hosts, partners, and event supporters only.