During the September Interim Meetings, the Joint Committee on Healthmet. Cammie Chapman, Esq., Deputy Secretary of Children and Adult Services, spoke about reducing the reliance on residential services for children. There are 23 statewide group residential providers with 46 facilities. There are 502 children at in-state group facilities and 275 children in out-of-state facilities. To reduce reliance, communities must have strong and sustainable community-based mental and behavioral health services for children. Individuals may call the Children’s Crisis and Referral Line, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling 844-HELP4WV (844-435-7498, or online at www.help4wv.com.
WV Wraparound is a network of providers that offer services for children with serious emotional disorders or serious mental illness and accessed through 844-HELP4WV. Other community services include Regional Youth Services Center and Expanded School Mental Health Services.
The Committee also heard about prevention services from the Bureau of Family Assistance and Family Resource Centers. There are three types of child abuse and neglect: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Support systems like food supply, housing, clothing, childcare, and healthcare can prevent child abuse and neglect. Childcare offers dual-generation support, developmental assessments, screenings, and behavioral consultation.
Locally, the Gilmer County Family Resource Network and Braxton Community Coalition serve our district.
Family Support Centers in West Virginia serve parents of all backgrounds, providing services like parenting skills training, outreach, and playgroups.
They are community-based and family-led, with 53 out of 55 counties having centers. The bureau is working to expand and develop a funding database, interactive map of services, and initiatives like Families Are Stronger Together.
The committee heard about WV 211, an information and referral number for none-mergent needs created in the early 2000s to alleviate the burden on emergency operation centers. It became operational in 2020. In its first year, WV 211, received over 21,000 calls for help with utilities, food insecurity, and rent/mortgage. In 2022, it received over 26,000 calls and connections for help with utilities, rent/mortgage, and homeless shelters.
Fall is the season of school homecomings where we have opportunities to gather with friends and family. Braxton County High School Homecoming is September 29th, and Glenville State University Homecoming will be held during the week of October 9th.
The Braxton County OES/911 Safety Fair will be held on October 7th from 10am to 2pm at Holly Gray Park. This is a great opportunity to meet local first responders.
Congratulations to the Glenville State Pioneers Cross Country Team for setting new school records at the Lock Haven Invitational. Keep up the great work and excellent representation for our District and communities.
In other news, my amazing sister-in-law, Ronna Dittman, turns 60 on September 29th! Please be sure to wish her a happy birthday! She is the glue in our family and extended family and makes every occasion better!
We absolutely love her!
As we all gather with old and new friends and family, let us all embrace the value of friendship.
“Ah, how good it feels! The hand of an old friend.”
(Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow)
I look forward to hearing from people in the district and hope to see you out and about enjoying all the great things our area has to offer. I can be contacted at lori.dittman@ wvhouse.gov or 304-701-8600.
Devoted to Braxton County, West Virginia