West Virginia Healthy Start/HAPI Project

06/22/2026

06/15/2026

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/nara-organics-recalls-all-lots-nara-infant-formula-because-possible-health-risk?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Nara Organics of New York, NY, is voluntarily recalling all lots of Nara Organics Powdered Infant Formula currently on the market out of an abundance of caution due to the potential risk of Clostridium botulinum contamination. Infant botulism is a rare but potentially fatal illness that presents a s

06/13/2026

⚾️ Celebrate Father’s Day at the ballpark & support a great cause!

Join us at Kendrick Family Ballpark for a fun-filled afternoon with the WV Black Bears as we raise funds for Postpartum Support International – West Virginia Chapter!

🗓️ Father’s Day, Sunday June 21st
⏰ 1:00 PM
📍 Kendrick Family Ballpark @ 2040 Gyorko Dr Granville, WV 26534

Did you know? Dads can experience depression and anxiety during the perinatal period too, and they deserve support just as much. Your ticket helps us provide resources, education, and care for all parents.

🎟️ Get your tickets here: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Postpartumsupport2

Tag a dad who deserves a day at the game! ⚾️

06/10/2026

Please contact the Governors office and encourage him to release these contracts so there is not a disruption in these vital services to children in WV.

West Virginia’s Family Support Centers face uncertain budgets and possible job and services cuts next month.

06/10/2026

Check out our HAPI Hour sessions starting June 18th! Preregister at https://wvumdtv.zoom.us/meeting/register/l3jBWqUoRHGxvr94hFt32Q

06/04/2026

West Virginia Department of Human Services today announced applications for the Emergency Low Income Energy Assistance Program (ELIEAP) will be accepted from June 8 through June 26, 2026, or until funds are exhausted.

The federally funded program assists eligible state residents in paying home heating or cooling bills. Residents whose primary heating and cooling source is gas or electricity must provide a termination notice or a past due utility bill when applying for ELIEAP. Households using other primary heating sources or bulk fuel may qualify for assistance if their heating fuel levels are critically low during the application period.

Households that received a direct payment through the regular Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) must verify that the benefit was used for home heating expenses. Applicants must submit a current receipt equal to the amount of LIEAP assistance received along with their ELIEAP application. Failure to provide verification of payment will result in denial of the application.

Eligibility for ELIEAP is based on household income, household size, and responsibility for paying home heating or cooling costs. To qualify, households must meet all program requirements and be experiencing an energy emergency that could disrupt their primary heating or cooling source if assistance is not provided.

The income limit for Fiscal Year 2026 is 60 percent of the State Median Income. The maximum allowable gross income levels for ELIEAP Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 are listed below:

*For each additional household member, add $688. Households whose countable income exceeds the maximum allowable amount are not eligible for assistance. Certain types of income may be excluded when determining ELIEAP eligibility.

Residents must apply in person at their local DoHS office. A directory of local offices is available at dohs.wv.gov/field-offices. Applications will be processed while funding remains available.

06/02/2026

Receiving a high-risk or potentially life-limiting fetal diagnosis during pregnancy can feel isolating in ways that are hard to put into words. The uncertainty, the medical decisions, the grief... it's an experience few people around you may understand.

PSI's Fetal Diagnosis Support During Pregnancy group exists for exactly this moment. Led by trained peer facilitators, this group offers a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where expectant parents can find connection and support from others who truly get it.

✔️ Free
✔️ Confidential
✔️ Online
✔️ Open to all expectant parents (gestational and non-gestational)

You don't have to carry this alone. Register: https://loom.ly/dn8Ez5g

06/02/2026

West Virginia has been selected as one of only 10 states nationwide to participate in the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Medicaid Demonstration Program, a federal initiative that will help expand access to comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder services across the state.

“This selection represents a significant opportunity for West Virginia to strengthen and expand access to behavioral health services across the state,” said Christina Mullins, Acting Cabinet Secretary for the West Virginia Department of Human Services. “Participation in the CCBHC Demonstration Program will help support a more coordinated, comprehensive, and sustainable behavioral health system for West Virginians, particularly in rural and underserved communities.”

The program was expanded under Section 11001 of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022 and is jointly administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE).

Federal officials recognized West Virginia for completing the foundational work necessary to implement a strong statewide demonstration program, including planning efforts related to clinic certification, service delivery, and payment systems.

Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, administered through the West Virginia Department of Human Services’ Bureau for Behavioral Health (BBH) and Bureau for Medical Services (BMS), are designed to provide a comprehensive range of mental health and substance use disorder services regardless of an individual’s ability to pay. The model emphasizes integrated care, crisis response services, care coordination, and evidence-based treatment practices to improve outcomes for individuals and families.

Participation in the demonstration program increases the federal Medicaid match rate for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic services. The enhanced funding structure will help strengthen the sustainability of behavioral health services and support continued investment in community-based mental health and substance use disorder treatment across West Virginia.

Over the next four years, West Virginia will work with federal partners to implement the demonstration program and expand access to comprehensive, community-based behavioral health services for West Virginians.

For more information about CCBHCs or to find a clinic near you, visit: https://bbh.wv.gov/providers-and-partners/west-virginia-certified-community-behavioral-health-clinics-ccbhcs

06/02/2026

We are super happy to announce that today marks the launch of the West Virginia WIC Breastfeeding Support Hotline, operated by Appalachian Breastfeeding Network! This hotline is available 24/7 for West Virginians -- focusing on WIC participants, but available to all West Virginians! This hotline also has an in-house referral team built in - IBCLCs, RDs, and Mental Health Specialists (PMH-Cs) are available to speak with callers as needed. If you know of anyone in WV that could benefit from this hotline, please pass it along!

05/29/2026

Check out our June parenting sessions! Scan the QR code or pre-register at these links. You won’t regret it I promise!

https://wvumdtv.zoom.us/meeting/register/ke6beB2dTQiv5mPmRSMp2w

https://wvumdtv.zoom.us/meeting/register/kvmX3CKPQaGQiEuntqklGg