Mercer County Coalition for Healthy Communities

06/01/2026

📢 PROTECT SNAP & MEDICAID IN WEST VIRGINIA

Proposed changes to SNAP and Medicaid beginning in 2027 could create new barriers to food assistance and healthcare for thousands of West Virginians. These programs provide critical support for children, seniors, individuals with disabilities, veterans, caregivers, and working families across our state. In rural communities, where access to healthcare and resources can already be limited, these changes may have significant impacts on family stability, health outcomes, and overall community wellbeing.

To help community members learn more and make their voices heard, the Mercer County Coalition for Healthy Communities has developed a SNAP & Medicaid Advocacy Toolkit.

📱 Scan the QR Code to Access:

✔ Community Education Resources

✔ West Virginia Fact Sheet

✔ Community Story Form

✔ Sample Advocacy Letter

✔ Legislator Contact Information

✔ Advocacy Toolkit Resources

The toolkit contains information about proposed changes, why they matter, how they may impact West Virginia families, and simple ways you can participate in the advocacy process.

✍️ We encourage you to personalize the sample letter with your own experiences, concerns, or observations and send it to your elected officials. Contact information for state and federal policymakers is included within the toolkit.

Your story and your voice matter.

Whether you are a parent, educator, healthcare provider, social worker, faith leader, business owner, community member, or advocate, your perspective can help policymakers better understand the real-life impact these programs have on our communities.

If you choose to participate, we also welcome copies of completed letters and community stories so we can better understand local concerns and strengthen future advocacy efforts.

For questions or additional information, please contact:

Candace Harless, MSW

Chairperson, Mercer County Coalition for Healthy Communities

Program Director, Drug-Free Communities

Community Connections, Inc.

📧 [email protected]

Together, we can help ensure that decisions affecting West Virginia families are informed by the voices and experiences of the communities they serve.



a link is also available to find the toolkit : https://drive.google.com/file/d/13NYdYpds7StTEoAkHrB7LdAz2ukY6ZU_/view

05/31/2026

Join the Out of the Darkness Walk! American Foundation for Su***de Prevention in Bluefield 💙

05/29/2026

Hanging out at Princeton Middle School today to speak with students about v**e cessation and why VAPES ARE TRASH 🗑 🎀

05/28/2026

Great discussions at our monthly meeting this week!

05/22/2026

Short notice but.. with some rain, come the frogs!

We'll be doing a walk around the Park, tonight, after dark. Bring a flashlight and a rain jacket. Should have some really good looks at American Toad, Bull frogs, and Tree Frogs. Maybe even some salamanders if we're lucky.

We will meet at the front lot tonight, May 22nd at 9pm and do a mile-ish loop around the north side of the Park. Should take about an hour or so. Hope to see you there!!

05/22/2026

The Mercer County Coalition for Healthy Communities will meet on May 26th , 10:00 AM – 12 PM, at the Children’s Home Society, 205 Center St., Princeton, WV 24740 , EVERYONE WELCOME

05/19/2026

05/19/2026

Have you heard of the “V**es Are Trash” campaign? 🚭🗑️
Disposable v**es may be small, but the impact they leave behind is huge. Most people don’t realize that used v**es contain lithium batteries, ni****ne residue, plastics, and chemicals that should never be tossed on the ground or into regular trash cans. When thrown away improperly, they can leak harmful materials into the environment and even create fire hazards.
That’s where V**e Disposal Kits come in. These kits provide a safer way to collect and dispose of used va**ng devices by helping separate hazardous materials and reduce environmental harm. They’re designed to encourage responsible disposal while also opening conversations about youth va**ng, prevention, and community health.
The “V**es Are Trash” campaign is about more than litter — it’s about protecting our environment, educating communities, and reducing the normalization of va**ng among youth. Every v**e properly disposed of is one less battery in a landfill and one more step toward a healthier community. ♻️💚

Check out the landing page for all materials!

V**es Are Trash is an education and prevention initiative that addresses va**ng as both a public health issue and an environmental hazard. The program emphasizes that v**e devices are hazardous electronic waste, not harmless consumer products, due to their lithium-ion batteries, ni****ne residue, an...

05/18/2026

More Americans are choosing to stay sober as drinking rates decline to the lowest point in nearly 100 years https://www.investigatetv.com/2026/05/12/more-americans-choosing-sobriety-alcohol-consumption-hits-historic-low/

05/18/2026

The Mercer County Coalition for Healthy Communities will meet on May 26th , 10:00 AM – 12 PM, at the Children’s Home Society! Everyone Welcome!

Our meetings are held each 4th Tuesday of the month ✨️