WEST VIRGINIA (WCHS) — The West Virginia Department of Human Services said it saw a significant drop in the number of children waiting on Wraparound services in 2025, reflecting progress its made in strengthening support for children in the Mountain State.
The average weekly Wraparound waitlist declined from 137 children in January 2025 to 14 by November, representing nearly a 90% reduction, according to a news release from the DoHS. Wraparound refers to intensive and individualized support in all areas of their life that aims to prevent children from being placed in out-of-home care.
The agency said the steady downward trend is the result of targeted efforts to expand provider capacity, improve timely access and better align services with family needs statewide.
“Reducing wait times for Wraparound services means children and families receive the right support sooner, when it matters most,” Alex Mayer, Cabinet Secretary of the West Virginia DoHS, said in the news release. “Every child deserves the opportunity to heal, grow, and stay connected to family and community. This progress reflects deliberate efforts to strengthen the workforce, expand provider capacity, and remove barriers that delay care.”
The DoHS said it also expanded service capacity and strengthened coordination across the behavioral health system, including onboarding five new providers and expanding service areas with existing providers.
The Bureau for Behavioral Health further reduced waitlist pressure by providing Intro to Wraparound training to alternative service providers outside of the wraparound network, helping families connect with appropriate supports and further reducing waitlist pressure, the news release said.
To further address ongoing challenges, the DoHS said it is focusing on implementing Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics statewide, boosting provider recruitment and outreach, authorizing telehealth where capacity is limited and expanding the Safe at Home program in high-need counties.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, WCHS is paying homage to the people who helped shape the West Virginia, one of those being Daniel Boone.
Boone was born in Philadelphia in 1734 and developed a reputation as a frontiersman.
“He was a key figure, significant in what he tried to accomplish. He was a hard worker, he took chances,” West Virginia State Museums director Charles Morris said.. “He was an all-around individual who wanted to see people being able to move West.”
West Virginia State Archives{ }
Morris explained that Boone was one of the people leading a push West from the original thirteen colonies, right into Appalachia.
“Daniel Boone did a little bit of everything,” Morris said. “He was a statesmen. He was a hunter. He was a trapper.”
Boone went from Pennsylvania to North Carolina, then helped cut a road from Tennessee through the Cumberland Gap and to the Kentucky River.
He clashed with Native Americans and fought the British during the later years of the American Revolution.
According to the West Virginia Encyclopedia, Boone and his family settled at the mouth of the Kanawha River at Point Pleasant in 1788. At this time is when Boone was appointed to the militia.
“When he moved to western Virginia he was Lt. Col. of the Kanawha Militia,” Morris said. “He served in the Virginia Assembly. He was very involved in politics.”
Boone was elected three times to what was at that time referred to as the Virginia Legislature.
Around the late 1700s Boone headed West to Missouri, passing away in 1820.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia healthcare facilities continue to demonstrate strong progress in protecting patients from healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), according to the 2024 Healthcare-Associated Infections Report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“These reductions reflect years of intentional work by infection preventionists, healthcare providers, and public health partners across the state,” said State Epidemiologist Shannon McBee. “West Virginia’s progress shows that focused prevention efforts and strong facility-level practices can make a measurable difference in patient outcomes.”
The CDC report shows significant national declines in most HAIs, with West Virginia also reporting notable reductions when compared to both the national baseline and 2023 data. In particular, West Virginia saw substantial decreases in central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), two serious infections closely tied to patient safety practices.
The report also highlights antibiotic stewardship efforts across healthcare settings. Of the 58 acute care hospitals reporting in West Virginia, 98 percent have implemented all seven CDC-recommended core elements for antibiotic stewardship programs. Among long-term care facilities, West Virginia achieved 100 percent implementation in four of the seven core elements, demonstrating meaningful progress in facilities serving older adults and individuals with complex medical needs.
“Antibiotic stewardship is a cornerstone of infection prevention,” said Acting Health Officer Dr. Mark McDaniel. “The high level of implementation across West Virginia hospitals speaks to the commitment of our healthcare system to using antibiotics responsibly and safeguarding their effectiveness for future generations.”
Despite improvements in outpatient antibiotic prescribing rates, West Virginia’s average remains above the national average. This signals an ongoing need and opportunity for continued collaboration with healthcare providers and communities to encourage appropriate antibiotic use.
Graphs summarizing West Virginia’s performance are available for review, and the full CDC report can be accessed at arpsp.cdc.gov.
The West Virginia Bureau for Public Health remains committed to partnering with healthcare facilities, providers and communities to further reduce healthcare-associated infections, strengthen antibiotic stewardship and improve health outcomes for all West Virginians, according to the press release.
Today on MetroNews This Morning:
–President Trump hosts West Virginia coal miners for a major announcement about coal fired power plants at the White House
–A new member of the state Board of Education is an advocate for Charter Schools
–Governor Morrisey is asked about legislation to revamp the state school aid formula
–In Sports: The Mountaineer women hit triple digits and Marshall’s men win in a big comeback
Listen to “MetroNews This Morning 2-12-26” on Spreaker.
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