Department of
Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences

Services and Eligibility

West Virginia Healthy Start/HAPI (Helping Appalachian Parents & Infants) Project

HAPI services are targeted to improve maternal well-being during pregnancy, postpartum and the interconceptional period. In additon to these services, HAPI also offers services to fathers/male partners of HAPI clients.  

HAPI offers a combination of home visits, office visits and phone calls offer education, resources and support to focus on the health and well-being of our clients and their babies. Services are provided by specialized staff including licensed social workers and registered nurses that offer care, support and dedication to HAPI clients, babies and families.

HAPI participates in many consortium activities that are targeted at increasing community collaboration at all levels and to increase consumer involvement and input into improving services throughout the perinatal healthcare system. Services are provided in-home or in other preferable areas. HAPI professional staff offer information and education on healthy pregnancy behaviors, postpartum depression, infant development, wellness, family building, healthy relationships, and healthy behaviors. Further services include screenings/assessments, referrals, and payment of treatment for depression, smoking cessation and family stress, including medication and counseling. 

Eligibility for HAPI services is dependent upon the client being a Right From the Start (RFTS) client. To ask about Right From the Start Services eligibility, call the the Office of Maternal, Child and Family Health at 1-800-642-8522.

BENEFITS TO PRENATAL HAPI CLIENTS:

  • Confidential services with a trained professional nurse or social worker
  • Home or office visits for provision of services including health education, screening/assessment, referrals for needed services
  • Screening for depression and post-partum depression; counseling and/or medication offered as indicated
  • Screening for domestic violence and substance use disorders and referred as needed
  • Screening for smoking status; smoking cessation services offered as indicated
  • Screening for oral health education/screening, dental cleaning/PSR, Sonicare toothbrush, follow-up dental cleaning, family toothbrushes and toothpaste
  • Screening for post-partum eligibility using the risk assessment forms after delivery and prior to case closure
  • Breastfeeding education/support, along with health insurance screening and referral with access to preventative care
  • Father/partner activities are included to offer education , services and resources to fathers and partners of HAPI clients as well

 BENEFITS TO POSTPARTUM HAPI CLIENTS:

  • Risk assessment to determine eligibility
  • Step-by-step guidelines and information from the Partners For A Healthy Baby Home Visiting Curriculum (RFTS)
  • all eligible postpartum clients will be offered enrollment into postpartum services. Once eligible and enrolled, eligibility will continue through the 18 month postpartum period regardless of future risk assessments
  • home visits for provision of services including health education, screening/assessment, and referrals as needed
  • all clients will continue to be screened for postpartum depression and receive access to counseling and/or medication for depression-even after loss of Medicaid card
  • all clients will continue to receive support for domestic violence services
  • all clients will continue to be screened for smoking status and be eligible for smoking cessation services
  • Screening for depression, substance use disorder, domestic violence, smoking cessation, etc…and referrals as needed
  • Breastfeeding education/support, along with health insurance screening and referral with access to preventative care
  • Reproductive Life Plan to help determine the direction and understanding of a healthy reproductive life
  • Infant oral health and referral for first year appointment
  • Access to mental health services and medication as needed
  • Life goal setting for guidance and support on motivation and life goals
  • Interconceptional care guide for screening on interconceptional health
  • Service care planning for screening on life activities and health
  • Continue the Partners For A Healthy Baby Home Visiting Curriculum through 18 months

WV Healthy Start/HAPI (Helping Appalachian Parents & Infants)

Fatherhood Initiative 

HAPI strives to offer services, education, resources and support to the whole family - this includes fathers/males partners of active HAPI participants. The Fatherhood Initiative focuses on providing information and support to fathers through the Fathering in 15 Program. This program was developed by the National Fatherhood Initiative and is a free tool that allows fathers/male partners of active HAPI participants to access information to further their understanding on parenting and fathering skills. 

Eligibility for Fatherhood services is dependent upon the mother being an active Right From the Start (RFTS)/HAPI Project client. To ask about Right From the Start Services eligibility, call the the Office of Maternal, Child and Family Health at 1-800-642-8522.

BENEFITS TO PRENATAL/POSTPARTUM HAPI CLIENT FATHER/MALE PARTNERS: 

  • Information on successful fathering/partnering tips from the Fathering in 15 curriculum to include family history, being a man/dad, handling emotions, grief and loss, health, you and mom, talking with mom, co-parenting, fathering skills, child development, child discipline, sexuality, intimacy, work-family balance and money management 
  • Education and support for fathers/male partners from a specialized professional
  • Rewards for successful completion of the Fathering in 15 Program 

For more information on WV Healthy Start/HAPI Project services and eligibility, please call 1-866-738-HAPI