NC West Virginia News

A West Virginia University-led effort is extending its reach to 11 Mountain State counties, providing more low-income pregnant women and families with children access to health care and life skills through the West Virginia Healthy Start/Helping Appalachian Parents and Infants (HAPI) project.

In partnership with local organizations, the program serves communities with infant mortality rates at least 1.5 times the United States national average and high percentages of other negative maternal and infant outcomes. The goal is to reduce incidences of preterm labor and low birth weight while improving the overall health of mothers and families.

The HAPI project is administered by the WVU School of Medicine Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, along with the WVU Research Office. A recent grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will provide $1.1 million annually for five years to assist in Barbour, Harrison, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, Randolph, Upshur counties as well as Doddridge, Hardy, Marshall, and Wetzel counties.

For over two decades, the program has partnered with community agencies to offer maternity services and a variety of resources including healthy solutions, preventative care, parenting education, career planning, and personal relationship goals. More than 800 West Virginia women or families participate each year. Once a baby is delivered, HAPI supports the family for 18 months.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to continue serving families in West Virginia,” Penny Womeldorff, director of the West Virginia Healthy Start/HAPI Project said.

“We have spent 23 years building a network of providers and partners to address the needs of pregnant and parenting families," Womeldorff continued. "We want to keep growing...and contribute to the health and well-being of West Virginia."

HAPI collaborates closely with Right From The Start—a state program that provides case management for pregnant women postpartum women—and infants up to age one who have Medicaid or CHIP coverage.

“We partner with them to provide a much more comprehensive package,” Womeldorff said. “It’s a lot of case management centered around healthy pregnancy behaviors.”

For mothers interested in breastfeeding education is provided by certified lactation counselors—a measure that has increased initiated breastfeeding rates from 59.7% in 2017 to 76.6% in 2022.

In partnership with WVU School of Dentistry HAPI emphasizes oral health care by encouraging dental visits for mothers fathers children—providing Sonicare toothbrushes after checkups.

“We’re trying to improve our birth outcomes by keeping everybody’s mouth healthy,” Womeldorff added.

A fatherhood coordinator offers guidance on parenthood engagement employment relationship goals—enhancing holistic family support offered by HAPI's initiatives

Program success isn't only measured in health outcomes but also impacts on clients’ perspectives towards helping others

“Over the years we’ve had some clients come back...as outreach workers...go back school finish degrees” Womeldorff said noting one client became labor delivery nurse another works state health program others volunteer participate community events

Dr Rawan El-Amin principal investigator gained insight into HAPI completing practicum master public health degree at WVU before medical training

“HAPI is great bridge between medical social/community-based services” El-Amin stated “This funding critical continuing efforts raising awareness coordinating treatment important conditions pregnancy postpartum period We grateful opportunity continue care our West Virginia families”

Currently Sadie Lobdell Townsend Delaware student Master Social Work program Courtney Dillow Mechanicsville Virginia senior pursuing bachelor degree social work completing practicum Designated Care Coordinators plan continue working HAPI Project during after schooling

To raise awareness about prenatal early childhood health HAPI hosts several community events largest Baby Me Day takes place each year Meadowbrook Mall Bridgeport includes vendor booths from WVU Medicine various state agencies

“It’s opportunity folks learn about pregnancy parenting fill out referral our program” Womeldorff explained “Our goal support our families help make sure they have everything need through their pregnancy through early parenting helping move from step A step C D whatever that them”