WV Healthy Start/HAPI and OBGYN Dept welcomed 120+ families at annual Baby and Me Day

The West Virginia Healthy Start/HAPI (Helping Appalachian Parents and Infants) Project, housed within the West Virginia University School of Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, hosted its annual Baby and Me Day community event on March 7 at Meadowbrook Mall.

This year’s event welcomed over 120 families from across the region and featured 32 community service vendors who shared valuable resources and information focused on infant, maternal and family health.

“Baby and Me Day helps bring families and service providers together in one place, making it easier for parents and caregivers to learn about available resources, ask questions and build supportive connections within their community,” Raven McClain, project director for the HAPI Project, said.

Families had the opportunity to connect directly with local organizations offering services like prenatal and postpartum support, breastfeeding education, early childhood development resources, early intervention services, mental health services, oral health education, parenting programs and family support services.
The event also included several activities, including the Daddy Olympics, which celebrated the important role dads play in raising healthy children, and the Baby Crawl, where little ones had the chance to race across the finish line while families cheered them on.

Baby and Me Day is part of the WV Healthy Start/HAPI Project’s ongoing mission to improve maternal, infant and family health outcomes across West Virginia communities. The program works closely with prenatal and postpartum women and infants/children to provide education, case management, home visiting services and connections to community resources that promote healthy pregnancies, healthy births and strong starts for babies and families.

The WV Healthy Start/HAPI Project also emphasizes father and partner support, recognizing that engaged fathers play a vital role in healthy families. Through fatherhood initiatives and educational programming, the project works to support dads in building strong relationships with their children and partners while developing positive parenting skills.

Through partnerships with healthcare providers, community organizations and public health agencies, the program addresses barriers that families may face when accessing care and support.

The WV Healthy Start/HAPI Project remains committed to empowering families with the knowledge, resources and support they need to promote healthy pregnancies, healthy babies and thriving families across West Virginia. For more info, visit medicine.wvu.edu/obstetrics-and-gynecology/west-virginia-healthy-starthapi-project/.