Regional Task Force on Addiction, Homelessness, and Mental Health Update: May 22, 2025

Elkins, WV, May 23, 2025: The Regional Task Force on Homelessness, Addiction, and Mental Health continues partnering with community organizations in North Central West Virginia to address these challenges. While the City of Elkins does not provide social services directly, these local groups, often with limited staff and budgets, are taking proactive steps to generate long-term solutions—with the City’s support—as highlighted in yesterday’s meeting.

Key Updates from Community Partners:

• Transportation Barriers: The REACH Initiative seeks $50,000 to establish a recovery transportation program that would employ people in recovery as drivers.
• Housing Challenges include: The local men’s sober living home in Elkins is closing June 1; the Elkins women’s recovery home has permanently closed with no replacement; and, there is a critical shortage of transitional housing for parolees and other citizens ready to re-enter society because all local programs are short term, as in only housing people for a (maximum of 90 days.
• Mental Health Gaps: For people with addiction issues, there are no local treatment facilities available, only telehealth services from Valley Health in Morgantown; children’s therapy programs face extensive waitlists; meanwhile, citizens who can’t have their mental health needs address are having difficulty holding down full-time jobs.
• Workforce Shortages: Lack of certified care providers due to insurance and income barriers are getting in the way of providing enough mental health and addiction recovery services.
• Critical Funding Gaps: AmeriCorps has been defunded, contributing to local workforce shortages that could help address these problems; Legal Aid of WV is facing the expiration of medical aid grants; and the West Virginia First Grant is providing some temporary relief but requires long-term sustainable solutions.
• Foster Care Support: Efforts are underway to secure a $45,000 grant for the Randolph County prevention coalition (a kickoff event is on May 30 at the Arts Center). Read here to learn more about the challenges of foster care here in Randolph County and the surrounding area.
• Employment Solutions: Local officials are working on Second Chance Act partnerships to incentivize employers who will hire individuals still in recovery.

Next Steps: 

The Task Force will have its next meeting on Thursday, June 26, at 1:00 p.m. at the Phil Gainer Community Center. Residents are encouraged to engage with participating organizations to volunteer or share their ideas.

About the Regional Task Force on Addiction, Homelessness, and Mental Health:

Established in May 2021, this task force brings together local officials, law enforcement, and community organizations to address homelessness, substance abuse, and mental health needs; it meets monthly in Elkins, WV. The Task Force strives to identify gaps in services, coordinate resources, and implement sustainable solutions to these challenges in North Central West Virginia—including identifying peer recovery support specialists (PRSS), safe sober-living spaces, and expanded recovery facilities.