HHS Region 3
West Virginia
West Virginia Public Health Leadership Team
Charleston, WV
Cohort 10 - 2021
NLAPH
Overview
The team would like to strengthen and enhance care for families served in a broad system of both early childhood and behavioral health care and deepen state capacity to provide high-quality services to all families.
They will recommend guidance, tools and protocols for primary health, early childhood and community partners to use that follows a unified message for the State of West Virginia on ACEs screening and the impact of trauma.
Team members
Jackie Newson
West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
Nikki Tennis
Bureau for Behavioral Health
Lesley Cottrell
West Virginia University
Michelle Rollyson
West Virginia Infant/Toddler Mental Health Association
Documents
Fayette County Living Well Work Group
Fayette County, WV
Cohort 7 - 2018
NLAPH
Overview
The team wants to be the catalyst for improved public health opportunities and establish itself as a resource for additional communities to replicate success.
In the Montgomery/Smithers area, a Healthy Places for Healthy People technical assistance grant has been received. The team wants to participate in and support this initiative. They are looking at trail development connecting the communities across the river, and to the only grocery store. There is also a new YMCA in the area looking for partners to promote health and wellness for the community. Lastly, the team is looking to link the schools to these efforts. What shared use is happening? Are there educational needs? Are there opportunities for the schools, students, staff, families and the community to be involved in this project, support it's development create long-term success?
The team hopes to look for other similar opportunities throughout the county. Several small cities and towns have made steps towards health improvements. Are there community leaders who need support to do more?
Through the use of school-based community health centers, what can we do to expand public health opportunities, community attitudes and involvement? Are there more opportunities for shared use of our schools to support health and wellness?
What policy changes are needed and possible at the county and even the state level?
Team members
Lauren Weatherford
West Virginia University
Teri N. Harlan
Fayette County Health Department
Kim Major
Dept. Health & Human Resources/New River Health Association
Gabriel Peña
Fayette County Commission
Team West Virginia
Statewide
Cohort 5 - 2016
NLAPH
Overview
Team West Virginia is a part of the Appalachia Leadership Academy for the Public's Health (ALAPH). Their goal is to create a law enforcement/public health data repository to address the opioid epidemic and its complications, including neonatal abstinence syndrome.
According to the CDC, West Virginia is nationally ranked number one in rates of hepatitis B, overdose deaths, and neonatal abstinence syndrome. Cabell County in particular is considered “ground zero” of the opioid epidemic, with 26 overdoses in 4 hours occurring in August 2016.
The team’s AHLP proposes a data-sharing repository that will be able to provide real-time, operational data to the various entities combatting the epidemic. This will include emergency services, the judicial system, schools, hospitals, community health centers, social services, faith-based organizations, and the media.
Team members
Kenny Burner
Appalachia HIDTA
Tim Hazelett
Cabell-Huntington Health Department
Patricia Keller
West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals
Michael Kilkenny
Cabell-Huntington Health Department
Scott Lemley
Huntington Police Department
Chad Napier
Appalachia HIDTA
Kathleen Napier
Cabell-Huntington Health Department
Jan Rader
Huntington Fire Department