WV Departments of Health, Health Facilities, and Human Services

The West Virginia Department of Human Services is excited to announce the launch of a statewide stakeholder engagement tour and Advisory Committee aimed at improving the child welfare system. Beginning in mid-May, this initiative will foster open dialogue with service providers, foster parents, legislators, judiciary members, and others deeply involved in child welfare. #WVChildWelfare #CommunityEngagement #StrongerFamilies

Today I had the opportunity to visit our Poca Warehouse—an essential hub in West Virginia’s emergency preparedness infrastructure. This facility plays a vital role in supporting the Center for Threat Preparedness, the Department of Health, the Office of Emergency Management, and serves as a key storage site for critical supplies used by partners such as the National Guard, Navy, and FEMA. From immunization materials and key medications and needles to gowns and face shields, the inventory housed here ensures we are ready to respond swiftly to public health emergencies and emergent needs. A sincere thank you to my Department of Health team for facilitating this visit. It’s part of my ongoing effort to better understand every corner of our department’s operations—and this one is truly mission-critical. Proud of the quiet, behind-the-scenes work that keeps our state prepared and protected.

Today, I had the opportunity to spend time with the incredible team at the Office of Emergency Medical Services. From learning about the scope of their work to seeing firsthand how they support West Virginia’s EMS providers, it was an insightful visit. One highlight was joining one of our EMS inspectors for a spot check with the Charleston Fire Department. It was an eye-opening experience and a great reminder of the skill, professionalism, and dedication of our EMS partners across the state. Thank you to the OEMS team, Charleston Fire Department, and all the EMS professionals who made this visit possible. Your work is vital to the health and safety of our communities—and I’m grateful for all you do.

The West Virginia Department of Human Services' Cabinet Secretary’s Office, the Bureau for Family Assistance, and the Bureau for Social Services came together to wear blue for #WearBlueDay, showing support for Family Strengthening and Child Abuse Prevention Month. Together, we stand for strong families and safe childhoods. #PinwheelsForPrevention #ChildAbusePreventionMonth

The Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP) participated in the 2025 West Virginia Prevention Day at the Legislature, joining state leaders, prevention professionals, and community advocates to highlight the power of prevention. Events like these are vital in shaping policies that support substance use prevention, mental health, and overall well-being across West Virginia. #WVPreventionDay #BuildingHealthierCommunities

April is Strengthening Families & Child Abuse Prevention Month! Together, we can create safe, supportive communities for children. If you suspect abuse or neglect, call the Centralized Intake Hotline at 1-800-352-6513. Your voice could make a difference. #StrengtheningFamilies #ChildAbusePreventionMonth

Proud to have attended today’s event in Martinsburg, WV with Governor Patrick Morrisey and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., focused on building a healthier West Virginia. Governor Morrisey and Secretary Kennedy unveiled the “Four Pillars of a Healthy West Virginia”—a bold plan to tackle some of our state’s most pressing health challenges. From banning harmful food dyes in school lunches to promoting daily exercise through the “Mountaineer Mile” and rethinking SNAP benefits to encourage better nutrition, this initiative is a powerful step forward. Thank you to Governor Morrisey and Secretary Kennedy for your leadership and vision in prioritizing the health and well-being of West Virginians. Together, we can build a stronger, healthier future for our state. #WestVirginia #PublicHealth #Leadership #HealthyCommunities #SNAP #Nutrition #Exercise #MakeAmericaHealthyAgain

Chestnut Mountain Village is hosting the first public county launch of CarePortal on April 10, 2025, at Hotel Morgan in Morgantown. This event marks a significant collaboration to strengthen family support and prevention efforts across West Virginia. CarePortal connects DoHS's Bureau for Social Services, the Bureau for Family Assistance, and the faith community to help prevent children from entering the welfare system. #CarePortal #FamilySupport #WestVirginia

DoHS's Bureau for Family Assistance is working hard to support residents impacted by recent storms through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). Applications for Logan and Wayne counties are open until March 28, 2025. Visit your local county DoHS office to apply. https://lnkd.in/dCEUX5tY #DisasterRelief #WestVirginia #FoodAssistance

Arvin Singh sworn in as New Secretary of Health for West Virginia Following his appointment as Secretary of Health for West Virginia, Arvin Singh, EdD, MBA, MPH, MS, FACHE, was sworn in on Friday, March 21, 2025, unveiling an ambitious agenda focused on transforming public health across the state. With a career dedicated to strengthening health systems and empowering communities, Secretary Singh is poised to lead with a vision aimed at improving health outcomes and boosting operational efficiency statewide. Secretary Singh’s strategic priorities include streamlining departmental operations, increasing access to care, leveraging cutting-edge technology, and addressing long-standing public health challenges. “I want to thank Governor Morrisey for the opportunity to serve the great state of West Virginia. Our goal is to create a healthier, more resilient West Virginia where every individual has the opportunity to thrive,” said Secretary Singh. “To do that, we must embrace innovative tools like artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance efficiency, reduce barriers to care, and tackle the chronic health conditions impacting our communities.” Among his key initiatives, Singh plans to explore the role of artificial intelligence in improving departmental efficiency, from optimizing resource allocation to enhancing data analysis for informed decision-making. By integrating AI solutions, the department aims to modernize health services, reduce costs, and improve the timeliness of care delivery. Singh will also re-evaluate the state’s Certificate of Need process to ensure it helps to increase access and encourage innovation, while building a healthier community. His vision extends to increasing healthier foods options statewide, recognizing the critical role nutrition plays in preventing and reducing chronic conditions. Additionally, Singh is committed to improving EMS access, particularly in rural and underserved areas, to ensure residents have timely access to life-saving emergency services. “Our focus must be holistic and forward-looking,” Secretary Singh explained. “From embracing AI-driven efficiencies and ensuring equal access to care and nutritious food to reevaluating departmental policies, every effort must work toward building a healthier West Virginia.” Renowned for his collaborative approach and forward-thinking strategies, he has built a strong reputation as an innovative leader who consistently delivers impactful, measurable results. As he takes on this new role, Secretary Singh invites collaboration with local communities, health care providers, and policymakers to turn his vision into reality.