Department of Health, Department of Health Facilities, and Department of Human Services

​The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), Bureau for Children and Families, today announced the application period for phase two of Safe at Home West Virginia, an innovative program working to reduce the State’s reliance on in-state and out-of-state group care for youth ages 12-17.

Safe at Home West Virginia uses the wraparound model, a planning process that helps ensure youth grow up in their homes and communities whenever possible. With help from one or more wraparound facilitators, key players in the child or youth’s family work together, coordinate activities, and blend perspectives of the family’s unique situation.

“I am excited about the expansion of this revolutionary approach to serving West Virginia’s children and families,” said DHHR Cabinet Secretary Karen L. Bowling. “With the support of these agencies and our many partners, we will continue helping teens with behavioral health needs thrive in their home communities.”

DHHR is now soliciting applications from licensed behavioral health agencies with direct children’s service experience to act as local coordinating agencies for the development and delivery of a high fidelity wraparound model with supporting services in the counties of Barbour, Brooke, Grant, Greenbrier, Hampshire, Hancock, Hardy, Harrison, Lewis, Marion, Mercer, Mineral, Monongalia, Monroe, Nicholas, Ohio, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Preston, Randolph, Summers, Taylor, Tucker and Upshur. Start-up grants will be available in the amount of $70,000 for each Wraparound Facilitator the applicant plans to hire.

The selected agencies are tasked with hiring wraparound facilitators responsible for coordinating the individualized services identified for each youth and their family in their homes. Local coordinating agencies are also tasked with providing those services or securing them from other sources.

Agencies wishing to submit applications must submit a Letter of Intent to Apply by March 15, 2016. Applications must be received by 4:00p.m. on March 21, 2016. Visit www.dhhr.wv.gov/bcf for more information.

Phase two is expected to launch summer 2016. The long-term goal of Safe at Home West Virginia is to serve 12-17 year olds and their families in all 55 counties over the course of the next two years, providing wraparound services to children, family members, caregivers and foster parents to support developing and maintaining a stable and loving environment.