Marshall Health Network – Hoops Family Children’s Hospital Child Advocacy Center awarded initial Opportunity Grant from West Virginia First Foundation

Marshall Health Network – Hoop’s Family Children’s Hospital Child Advocacy Center (HFCH CAC) is proud to announce its selection as a recipient of the West Virginia First Foundation’s (WVFF) inaugural Opportunity Grant.

The $120,000 grant will help expand the Child Advocacy Center’s presence in Mason County by sustaining a full-time staff member and providing training for the CAC’s multidisciplinary partners. The funding will also support a secure system for encrypted forensic interview exchanges and enable remote access to interviews.

“We are deeply grateful to the West Virginia First Foundation for believing in our vision and supporting our work,” said Angela Seay, CAC coordinator. “This grant allows us to continue to make an impact on the lives of children who have been victims of alleged sexual or physical abuse and neglect. Together, we are making strides to make the children of West Virginia safer.”

The HFCH CAC is committed to providing compassionate care to children and families, helping to minimize the trauma often experienced by young victims of abuse. Instead of having to repeat their story multiple times to doctors, law enforcement and investigators, children speak with a trained interviewer who knows how to ask the right questions in a supportive environment. From there, a team of professionals collaborates to determine the best course of action, which may include therapy, courtroom preparation, victim advocacy and medical exams.

Jonathan Board, Executive Director of the West Virginia First Foundation, praised the work of the CAC.

“Organizations like Hoops Family Children’s Hospital Child Advocacy Center are at the heart of our mission to empower communities and combat the effects of substance use disorder,” Board said. “Their dedication to creating positive change is inspiring, and we are honored to support their efforts through the Initial Opportunity Grant.”

The WVFF Initial Opportunity Grant underscores the Foundation’s dedication to investing in organizations and initiatives that address the opioid epidemic and its far-reaching impacts across the state. Marshall Health Network is honored to be part of this mission and is committed to using this funding to drive meaningful change.

To learn more about West Virginia First Foundation, visit wvfirst.org. To learn more about the Child Advocacy Center visit www.hoopschildrens.org/facilities-programs/child-advocacy-center/.