ON THE ROAD

I was honored to welcome my friend HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra to West Virginia to showcase the importance of investing in rural healthcare and combatting the drug epidemic that continues to ravage our state. We participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Marion Neighborhood Hospital, the first of its kind in the state that will provide quality care to Marion County residents. West Virginia lost three full service hospitals last year, and filling those gaps in care is crucial to the wellbeing of our state. We also visited the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute in Morgantown which leads innovation in behavioral health and substance use disorder treatments. Their efforts are crucial to addressing the drug epidemic that has killed more than 100,000 Americans and more than 1,600 West Virginians in the last year. I was pleased to show Secretary Becerra our wonderful state, and I look forward to working with him to address the issues facing West Virginia.

I was honored to recognize Debbie Puskarich for her unwavering years of service to the Follansbee Chamber of Commerce.

My staff attended the Southern WV Community and Technical College Job Fair to showcase the many services my office can provide. This job fair was an outstanding resource for the region.

My staff participated in Raleigh County Parks and Recreation's opening of a new playground at Stoco Community Park in beautiful Coal City.

My staff attended the Grand Opening of Gresham Plumbing Supply in Beckley. A grand opening of a small business during these challenging times is something to celebrate.

My staff joined in the celebration at the Heritage Station Holiday Open House on Thursday, Dec. 9. The Huntington Symphony Orchestra performed many songs during the event, including “Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooms.” Heritage Station shops stayed open late for shoppers, who were treated to music and other holiday festivities.

My staff honored the volunteers and read a Christmas greeting at the Lincoln County Fairs and Festivals Christmas Dinner in Hamlin on Sunday, Dec. 12. It was the first dinner in two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pictured: Jack Browning, with Lincoln County Fairs and Festivals carves the turkey before the annual Christmas dinner at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds.

Michael Cole, from Morgantown, is the founder of Lauren’s Wish Addiction Triage Center, Inc., a long-term women’s residential addiction program in North Central WV. Michael contacted Senator Joe Manchin for assistance with expediting the non-profit status of agency so that funding can be obtained so the agency could begin providing crucial services. After Senator Manchin's inquiry was submitted, the IRS expedited the non-profit status and Lauren’s Wish can now obtain the funding to provide the vital service of supporting women who are awaiting admission to a substance abuse treatment center.

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance with a state or federal agency, please contact my office at 304-342-5855. My staff and I are always ready to help fellow West Virginians!

Click here or the image below to watch how Senator Manchin's office was able to help.

 Visit manchin.senate.gov/arp for more information.

MANCHIN ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $1.1MILLION FROM AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FOR MATERNAL, INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD HOME VISITING PROGRAM IN WEST VIRGINIA
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $1,103,667 from the American Rescue Plan to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) as part of the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program. This funding is distributed through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to support West Virginia mothers, infants and children.

“Ensuring West Virginia mothers and children have access to quality, affordable healthcare is critical to raising healthy children. The American Rescue Plan continues to provide vital funding to the Mountain State, and I am pleased HHS is investing in the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program in West Virginia. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for funding and resources to help keep our mothers, infants, children and families safe and healthy,” said Senator Manchin.

In May, Senator Manchin announced $545,359 for the MICHEV program, the first round of funding West Virginia received from the American Rescue Plan. The Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting program aims to improve maternal and child health, while preventing child abuse and neglect. The program supports pregnant women and parents with young children who face greater risks and barriers to achieving positive maternal and child health outcomes. West Virginians participating in the program work with health, social services and child development professionals in their communities.

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Senator Manchin's state offices are accepting internship applications for Spring 2022. Click here or the image below to learn more and to fill out the online application.