WV Healthy Start/HAPI Project

The HAPI Project is funded by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Division of Healthy Start and Perinatal Services and is integrated with Right From The Start (RFTS). HAPI is administered by the OBGYN Department at the West Virginia University School of Medicine and the West Virginia University Research Corporation. HAPI works with local agencies that employ DCCs (Designated Care Coordinators; licensed professional social workers and registered nurses), in which provide education, resources and services to clients.

The goal of the HAPI Project services is to reduce infant mortality. We hope to accomplish this by reducing the incidence of preterm labor and low birth weight babies, and by improving the overall health of women and their families. Prenatally, HAPI is designed to enhance the existing Right From The Start services by working with ALL current RFTS clients. For the post-partum services, women must be screened for eligibility so that we may serve the most at-risk population.

The WV Healthy Start/HAPI Project also provides services to fathers/male partners as we introduce our new Fatherhood Initiative. The HAPI Project wants to provide, not only services for our moms, but also, we want to make sure we are supporting the whole family. We want to make sure that dads are not left out of receiving information to help them on their parenting journey. After surveying dads, staff and partnering agencies, we have decided that one part of our new fatherhood initiative, is to offer our dads the opportunity to obtain access to the Fathering in 15 websites for free (15 modules that provide education and tips on successful parenting for fathers/male partners).

This is a site that you can access from a computer, smartphone, tablet; or receive printed materials from HAPI staff. There are 15 sessions that focus on fathers and parenting. Each session should take you 15 minutes to complete. After you complete the 15 sessions, there is a test. When you pass this test, you can print off a certificate of completion (or have it emailed to our staff). If you can provide our staff the certificate, and complete a quick evaluation form, you will receive a $50.00 Wal-Mart gift card.

Eligibility:

Must be a father/male partner to a current HAPI client.

For more information please contact Ashleigh McKinsey ​ at 304-265-1338 or aemckinsey@bumfs.org