Rural Health Service Providers Network

13/04/2023

I was honored to layout HR 1058, memorializing Kirk Myers-Hill, in front of the House this morning. Kirk was a man of great character who will always be remembered. I’m honored that I have forever memorialized him in the State of Texas.

01/06/2022

CEG’s project, We Are Appalachia, wants to capture the voices of people who were or are living in Appalachia.

If you aren't sure who among your friends or family was born, raised, from, or living in Appalachia, share anyway! We are very close to reaching our goal of 200 responses. Our project is only as good as the input we receive. This is the last chance to give a response, so make it count! YOU MATTER. Appalachia matters.

Click here for the survey: https://cutt.ly/WeAreAppalachia-Survey

31/05/2022

CEG Director of Regional and National Policy, Lee Storrow and former Director of the WV Office on Drug Control Policy, Bob Hansen wrote a thought-provoking piece on why a special session in West Virginia could save countless lives that are lost due to the opioid epidemic.

Read more here: https://cutt.ly/A-Special-Session-Can-Save-Lives

By Bob Hansen and Lee Storrow It’s no secret that the opioid epidemic has hit West Virginia hard. Overdose death rates have doubled over the last 15 years. Then along comes the COVID pandemic, with increased isolation and job loss, and overdose deaths have now reached a crisis level. Fortunately, ...

13/05/2022

A. Toni Young states, “the drop in the vaccination rate came when the voices of local pharmacies and physicians were overpowered by national voices denying the seriousness of COVID-19 or saying that herd immunity was imminent.”

Read more here: https://cutt.ly/NPR-Vaccinations

A large share of the nearly 1 million people who died of COVID in the U.S. may have lived if they'd gotten vaccinated. A new analysis shows how many lives could have been saved across the country.

11/02/2022

Please join us this coming Monday, February 14th at 2:00 PM EST for our monthly WVSSC & RHSPN joint meeting!

Joining us will be WVU Vice President and Executive Dean Dr. Clay Marsh, Director of Addiction and Public Policy Regina LaBelle, and Senior Associate Sean Bland from the O'Neill Institute!

Register now: https://cutt.ly/WVSSC-Registration

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: WV Statewide Stakeholder Coalition Meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

09/02/2022

To combat the syndemic of HIV, hepatitis, and substance use, we need more resources to help those looking to quit using drugs.

CEG Executive Director A. Toni Young states that “Our state must combat this syndemic by overturning the moratorium on new Opioid treatment programs in West Virginia”.

Call your legislators today and ask them to overturn the opioid treatment programs moratorium!

Read more: https://cutt.ly/Moratorium-Repeal

I’m proud to be a West Virginian. For 11 years, I’ve traveled throughout the state as a health advocate and educator, fighting the health syndemic we face.

07/02/2022

Today is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, a day to acknowledge progress in prevention and care among Black/African American people while recognizing the work still needed.

To , we must address and barriers. https://bit.ly/3r6BxM5

04/01/2022

Active Covid-19 cases have skyrocketed 72% in West Virginia as the omicron variant starts to take a firm hold over the state. Gov. Jim Justice implores state residents to get vaccinated, including the booster.

Read More: https://cutt.ly/Covid-Surge-WV

Active coronavirus cases have skyrocketed 72% in West Virginia and hospitalizations have surged over the past week as the omicron variant starts to take a firm hold in the state.

22/12/2021

The first case of Omicron in West Virginia was confirmed this past week in Marion County. Dr. Clay Marsh, WV Coronavirus Czar states, “It is now time for all West Virginians to run to the fire, pull the rope in the same direction, get vaccinated if you haven’t yet, or get a booster.”

Read more here: https://cutt.ly/WV-Omicron

The confirmation occurred during a regular pandemic briefing by the governor.

13/12/2021

Please join us today at 2:00 PM Eastern for our monthly WVSSC & RHSPN joint meeting. Joining us will be Director Marissa Sanders of the West Virginia Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship Parents Network!

Register now: https://cutt.ly/JoinWVSSC

01/12/2021

Ending the HIV epidemic requires us to recognize and address the social challenges that block marginalized groups from equal access to services.

Join Community Education Group today at 10AM and 3PM EST on Facebook live to learn more about how we can all help in bringing an end to the HIV epidemic!

30/11/2021

GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past 9 years, this idea has grown into a year-round global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

To learn more on how to give today: https://www.givingtuesday.org/united-states/

29/11/2021

Please join Treatment Action Group, the HIV Vaccine Trials Network, the Black AIDS Institute, and the Southern AIDS Coalition this Wednesday, December 1st at 3PM EST as they reflect on the PAST, acknowledge PRESENT and look toward the FUTURE of ending the HIV epidemic.
To register: https://cutt.ly/TAG-Registration

25/11/2021

What, Where, & Who is Appalachia? CEG is taking a closer look at what exactly makes Appalachia, Appalachia!

Fun Fact: The Appalachian Mountains are the oldest mountain range in North America. It is also believed that they were once as high as the Himalayas, however is no longer the case because of the consistent erosion that has weathered it down!

23/11/2021

Last week, North Carolina General Assembly passed a budget that includes an increase of $2.4 million over the next two years for the NC Division of Public Health to combat the syndemic of HIV & hepatitis.

We applaud the legislature and Governor for including this funding in their budget. As the entire Appalachian region looks to tackle the syndemic of COVID, HIV & hepatitis, all states should be prioritizing supporting these lifesaving programs.

Learn more here here : https://cutt.ly/nc-budget

Construction Industry Weekly Legislative Update for North and South Carolina Government relations and General Assembly activity.

19/11/2021

Serving West Virginia Communities The Appalachian Partnership Fund, housed at Community Education Group (CEG), provides funding for local nonprofit groups, businesses, faith-based and community-based organizations serving West Virginia’s most vulnerable and rural populations. The application cycle...

19/11/2021

Today, Community Education Group announces the launch of our Appalachian Partnership Fund. A $1 million partnership fund for local nonprofit groups, businesses, faith-based and community-based organizations serving West Virginia’s most vulnerable and rural populations!

Local groups can apply for funding to address the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and Substance Use Disorder syndemic throughout West Virginia and are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Application cycle closes on January 10, 2022.

Click the link for more information & to apply to the Appalachian Partnership Fund: https://cutt.ly/AppalachianPartnershipFund

Serving West Virginia Communities The Appalachian Partnership Fund, housed at Community Education Group (CEG), provides funding for local nonprofit groups, businesses, faith-based and community-based organizations serving West Virginia’s most vulnerable and rural populations. The application cycle...

18/11/2021

What, Where, & Who is Appalachia? CEG is taking a closer look at what exactly makes Appalachia, Appalachia!

Fun fact: Traditional Appalachian music originated from Irish and Scottish fiddle music, African-American blues musicians then introduced the banjo which would become a prominent symbol of the music for the region. Appalachian music played an important part in creation of modern country and Bluegrass music.

16/11/2021

Today we uplift and celebrate trans and gender q***r lived experiences as a step towards real equity

Join the Celebrate webinar today at 1PM EST at https://bit.ly/ztcelebrate as we move towards a world free of transphobia!

15/11/2021

Today President Biden will sign the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. We applaud passage of this historic legislation, which will bring needed public health and economic investment to West Virginia and the broader Appalachian region. The bill includes significant funding for broadband infrastructure improvements, investments in drinking water & wastewater infrastructure, and will improve transportation access across the region.
Learn More: https://cutt.ly/2021Infrastructure-bill

President Biden and Senator Majority Leader Schumer have been pursuing a two-track strategy to advance major policy objectives in 2021. The first track, the bipartisan “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” passed the Senate 69-30. Attention now turns to the House, where Speaker Pelosi has in...

08/11/2021

ATTENTION: Please join us today at 2:00 PM Eastern for our monthly WVSSC & RHSPN joint meeting. Joining us will be Amy Snodgrass with West Virginia University and George Manahan with the Parkinson's Support Group of West Virginia.

04/11/2021

TODAY: The Black Coalition Against COVID has brought together an extraordinary group of trusted health professionals to provide you with all the information you may need when making COVID vaccination decisions regarding your children!

28/10/2021

Community Education Group held our monthly WVSSC&RHSPN Joint meeting on October 12. Toni A. Young spoke to several health care professionals about CEG’s work in Appalachia, PreP, and more. The meeting is now on our Youtube channel, click the link to see what you missed!
https://cutt.ly/WVSSC-RHSPN

26/10/2021

If more people had continuous coverage and access to life-saving addiction treatment during reentry, fewer people would die. would save lives, reduce drug overdoses, advance equity, save money, and help people during their return to their communities! Over 100 groups across the country agree. Congress must and support ! https://bit.ly/3ADrTn1

26/10/2021

As you follow us on our mission in creating stronger communities within Appalachia, you will learn that there are many misconceptions about the region.

Community Education Group has provided a fun Appalachian saying on the proper pronunciation of Appalachia which is often mispronounced. Remember, it’s pronounced Apple-At-Cha not Appa-Laysha!

22/10/2021

WV DHHR is moving forward with initiatives to improve the state response to the ongoing HIV outbreak. However, these initiatives do not include an increased access to sterile syringes, a preventive measure highly recommended by the CDC.
Read more: https://cutt.ly/WVHIV

At Tuesday’s monthly Kanawha County HIV Task Force meeting, state health officials said the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources is moving forward with initiatives to improve the

18/10/2021

Celebrate with Community Education Group and many other professionals as we raise awareness of the positive impacts Healthcare quality professionals are making! Learn more about the week's events here: https://nahq.org/HQW/

Healthcare Quality Week celebrates the profession and raises awareness of the positive impact healthcare quality professionals make in their organizations.

15/10/2021

October 15 is National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day, a day dedicated to bringing awareness and promoting ways to address the disproportionate impact has had on the Latinx community. Together we can make a difference. Explore & share resources today! .
https://cutt.ly/NLAAD

Through the Let’s Stop HIV Together campaign, Doing It motivates all adults to get tested for HIV and know their status, HIV Screening. Standard Care. encourages health care providers to promote routine HIV testing, and One Test. Two Lives. helps health care providers test women for HIV early in t...

12/10/2021

Join us for our joint WVSSC/RHSPN October Meeting!