The Secretaries of the Departments of Health (DH) and the Department of Human Services (DoHS) said in a Thursday evening press release that they are preparing for upcoming federal funding cuts and are dedicated to providing West Virginians with the essential services they need.
The cuts addressed in the release affect the funding of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
“Our commitment to delivering high-quality public health services remains unwavering,” said Arvin Singh, Secretary of the DH. “We have faced challenges before and will continue to innovate and adapt to ensure that our communities receive the care and support they need, regardless of the evolving funding landscape.”
Cuts to DoHS’ SAMHSA program total approximately $1,046,526 to 16 subrecipient grantees.
Funding will also be cut for the DoHS’ Bureau for Behavioral Health (BBH) prevention lead organizations which are responsible for implementing and supporting substance use prevention efforts across the state.
Finally, West Virginia’s COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline, which operates under the Office of Shared Administration (OSA), a division that serves DH, the Department of Health Facilities (DHF), and DoHS, is also affected by federal funding changes.
According to the release, the departments are working closely with their partners to ensure compliance with all federal requirements related to the termination of these grants and to continue delivering these critical services without interruption.
“These federal funding changes present challenges, but our focus remains on supporting the individuals and families who rely on our services,” said Alex Mayer, Cabinet Secretary of DHS. “We will continue to identify solutions to ensure West Virginians have access to the services they depend on.”