Capito Secures CDS Awards for Health Services and Substance Use Prevention

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS), announced four funding awards from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for health care equipment upgrades at-risk youth services in West Virginia.

These awards, which were secured through Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) requests made by Senator Capito in Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), will be used to replace an old and outdated ambulance and acquire two automated chest compression devices for the Gilmer County Commission. The funds will also provide an emergency backup generator for Broaddus Hospital and fund projects at the Martinsburg Initiative, Inc. and West Virginia Game Changers, Inc. to help at-risk youth.

"Whether it's equipping our health care professionals with resources to care for patients or supporting programs that aim to curb the opioid epidemic, I am committed to doing what I can to help put West Virginians on a pathway to lead healthy lives," Ranking Member Capito said. "Together, these CDS awards will help ensure emergency services remain reliable across Gilmer County with new and updated equipment, provide an emergency generator to the only 24-hour acute healthcare provider in Barbour County, and support programs and education efforts related to curbing the opioid crisis in West Virginia. I've seen firsthand the good work done by the Martinsburg Initiative and by Game Changers. As Ranking Member of the Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, I will continue to work with local leaders to prioritize West Virginians, especially our youth and those in our most rural areas, getting access to the care they need and deserve."

Individual award details listed below:

• $529,000 HHS CDS award to Broaddus Hospital (Philippi, W.Va.) to purchase and install a backup generator at the hospital, which is the only 24-hour acute healthcare provider in Barbour County.

• $499,991 HHS CDS award to the Martinsburg Initiative, Inc. (Martinsburg, W.Va.) to prevent substance use, build strong families, and empower the community by providing evidence-based interventions to children and families experiencing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in Berkeley and Jefferson counties. This project would expand proven programs into Jefferson County and provides six school-based social workers to accept referrals for children and families with ACEs. Social workers utilize Risk Stratification Protocol to provide interventions that decrease difficulties and increase resiliency. Interventions include mentoring, referrals to community organizations, wrap-around services, individual skill building, parenting classes, and referrals to behavioral health therapy.

• $157,000 HHS CDS award to the Gilmer County Commission (Glenville, W.Va.) to replace an older, high-mileage ambulance with a new ambulance and to purchase two automated chest compression devices.

• $50,000 HHS CDS award to West Virginia Game Changers, Inc. (Fairmont, W.Va.) for youth substance use prevention education and resources for the production of public service media that highlights the dangers of deadly opioids.

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