The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), Bureau for Children and Families today announced the application period for the third and final phase 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’s family work together, coordinate activities, and blend perspectives of the family’s unique situation.
“We are very excited to launch this final phase of Safe at Home, which will provide important services to an additional twenty counties in West Virginia,” said DHHR Cabinet Secretary Karen L. Bowling. “Since implementing the program in October 2015, nearly 475 children have been referred for services with the goal to provide them with the opportunity to lead safe, healthy and successful lives in their home communities.”
DHHR is currently 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 Braxton, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Fayette, Gilmer, Jackson, Marshall, McDowell, Mingo, Pleasants, Raleigh, Ritchie, Roane, Tyler, Webster, Wetzel, Wirt, Wood and Wyoming. 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 December 21, 2016. Applications must be received by 4:00 p.m. on January 12, 2017. Visit www.dhhr.wv.gov/bcf for more information.
Phase three is expected to launch in April 2017. The long-term goal of Safe at Home West Virginia is to serve 12-17 year olds and their families in the state’s 55 counties, providing wraparound services to children, family members, caregivers and foster parents to support developing and maintaining a stable and loving environment.