WV Department of Health and Human Resources

What WV Department of Health and Human Resources does

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources is a state government agency headquartered in Charleston, WV, that administers public health, behavioral health, and human services programs for West Virginia residents. Historically organized as a single unified department, it was reorganized effective January 1, 2024 under House Bill 2006 into three separate cabinet-level departments: the West Virginia Department of Health, the West Virginia Department of Health Facilities, and the West Virginia Department of Human Services, each overseen by its own secretary. The agency's core service portfolio includes Medicaid administration, the WIC nutrition program (serving 46,000 recipients monthly and 70% of all babies born in West Virginia), SNAP benefits, child support enforcement, foster care and child welfare services, behavioral health and substance use treatment, vital records, and emergency preparedness and response. It operates state-owned healthcare facilities including one acute medical hospital, two acute psychiatric hospitals, and four long-term care facilities. The agency coordinates with federal partners (CDC, HRSA, CMS) and operates a Health Homes provider network of eight approved providers across six counties for Medicaid behavioral health members.

The agency runs a portfolio of digital platforms supporting service delivery: WV DAVE (electronic vital events registration), WV PATH (child welfare case management), COMET (foster care communication tool launched October 2025 in partnership with Cardinality), the Child Welfare Dashboard (Tableau-based public performance reporting), and the EBTShopper mobile application for WIC benefit redemption. Revenue is derived from federal grants (CDC, HRSA, CMS), state legislative appropriations, federal-state Medicaid matching funds, and modest transaction fees from vital records ($12 per certified copy). Marketing and beneficiary outreach occur through the dhhr.wv.gov website, social media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube), press releases, email newsletters, and emergency broadcast communications. Reporting metrics include 87.8% tobacco sale compliance rate to minors (2014) and 52,787 Black Lung Program patient encounters (2012-2013).

Strategic direction is set by gubernatorial appointees. Current Secretary of Health Dr. Arvin Singh (sworn in March 21, 2025) has signaled priorities including AI exploration, operational streamlining, and rural healthcare access expansion. The agency received $199 million for Rural Healthcare Transformation and was recognized as a national leader in transforming maternal and infant health (2025). Earlier leadership milestones include the 2014 appointment of Dr. Rahul Gupta as Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health and State Health Officer, and the establishment of a Centralized Intake Unit for child and adult protective services reports effective July 1, 2014.

Name

WV Department of Health and Human Resources

Legal name

West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources

Website

https://dhhr.wv.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1863

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources is a state government agency, reorganized January 2024 into three cabinet departments, that administers Medicaid, public health, behavioral health, child welfare, nutrition assistance, and vital records programs for West Virginia residents while operating state-owned hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Health and Human Services

NAICS

Administration of Public Health Programs (92312), Administration of Public Health Programs (923120), Health Care and Social Assistance (62), Ambulatory Health Care Services (621)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Hospitals (8060), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

State/Provincial/Regional Health Departments (HLAJAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

State/Provincial Health Department & Public Health Administration (BPAIABAH), Maternal, Child & Family Health Departments (HLAJAAAK), Public Health & Health Equity Organizations (BPAGACAL), Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK)

Keywords

• Public health services
• Medicaid administration
• Behavioral health services
• Child welfare programs
• Vital records management

Headquarters

HQ city

Charleston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Federal Government Grants: DHHR receives federal funding through various agencies including CDC, HRSA, and CMS for public health programs, Medicaid, and behavioral health services
2. State Appropriations: State budget funding allocated by the West Virginia Legislature for departmental operations and services
3. Medicaid Funding: Federal-state funded healthcare program administered by DHHR's Bureau for Medical Services
4. Vital Records Fees: Revenue from issuing certified copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates at $12 per copy

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources is a state government agency that administers public health programs, Medicaid, behavioral health services, child welfare and family assistance, nutrition programs (WIC, SNAP), vital records registration, and operates state-owned healthcare facilities including hospitals and long-term care centers for West Virginia residents. Following a 2024 reorganization, it now operates as three separate departments: Department of Health, Department of Health Facilities, and Department of Human Services.

Product overview

WV DHHR is a state government agency that was reorganized in January 2024 into three separate departments: West Virginia Department of Health, West Virginia Department of Health Facilities, and West Virginia Department of Human Services. The agency offers a broad portfolio of public health and human services including: Health Statistics Center (vital records, epidemiology, BRFSS data), WIC nutrition program, Medicaid services, child support enforcement, children and families services, behavioral health services, public health programs, and EMS. Key digital tools include the WV PATH child welfare system, COMET foster care communication tool, WV DAVE electronic vital registration system, and the Child Welfare Dashboard. The Department also operates state-owned healthcare facilities including hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Medicaid Services Health coverage program administered for eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities in West Virginia.
• WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Program Supplemental nutrition program providing nutrition education, breastfeeding support, nutritious foods, and access to maternal and prenatal healthcare services for mothers, pregnant women, infants, and young children.
• Child Support Enforcement Enforces support obligations, locates parents, establishes paternity, and ensures payment of child support for West Virginia families.
• Children and Families Services Child welfare services including foster care, adoption, child protective services, and family assistance programs.
• Behavioral Health Services Mental health and substance use treatment services including psychiatric hospitals, addiction treatment programs, and crisis intervention.
• Public Health Services Disease prevention, health promotion, immunizations, environmental health, and emergency preparedness programs.
• Emergency Medical Services (EMS) State EMS program overseeing emergency medical services, training, certification, and quality improvement across West Virginia.
• Office of Drug Control Policy Coordinates statewide opioid and substance use response, funds treatment programs, and maintains data dashboards on SUD programs.
• Health Statistics Center Maintains vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates), provides health statistics, epidemiology data, and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data for West Virginia.
• Department of Health Facilities Coordinates and oversees state-owned healthcare facilities including one acute medical hospital, two acute psychiatric hospitals, and four long-term care facilities serving West Virginians affected by behavioral illness, medical illness, or long-term care needs.
• COMET (Communication & Operations Mobile Engagement Tool) Mobile engagement tool launched in partnership with Cardinality to strengthen communication between DoHS and foster care families.
• Certified Vital Records (Birth, Death, Marriage Certificates) Issuance of certified copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates at $12 per copy, with walk-up service available 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday and expedited service through VitalChek.
• Radon Program Monitors radon levels across the state, provides free testing kits, and shares data through the Public Radon Dashboard.

Quantifiable outcome

• WIC serves 70% of all babies born in West Virginia
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CardinalitycoreTechnology or Integration · 6 October 2025Partnership to launch COMET (Communication & Operations Mobile Engagement Tool) to strengthen foster care communication between DoHS and families.
• Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences of West VirginiaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 September 2025New partnership to provide discounted admission for SNAP and WIC recipients, promoting access to arts and sciences for low-income families.
• Chestnut Mountain VillageminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership for 'Unstuck' workshops strengthening faith and community partnerships in foster care.
• Office of Maternal, Child, and Family HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 December 2024Internal department partnership between WIC Program and OMCFH to expand lead poisoning prevention testing efforts.
• American Heart Association and UniCareminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2016Partnership to offer free CPR training to West Virginia residents.
• Health Homes Provider NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2014Eight approved healthcare providers serving as Health Homes for behavioral health: Cabin Creek Health Systems, FMRS Health Systems, Marshall Health, Prestera Center for Mental Health, Process Strategies, Southern Highlands, WV Health Right, and WomenCare, Inc.
• West Virginia University School of Public HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 April 2014Collaboration for Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) following Elk River chemical spill. WVU students participated in door-to-door household surveys.
• Kanawha-Charleston Health DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 January 2014Partnership with local health department for public health response, including the 2014 Elk River chemical spill response and recovery efforts. Dr. Rahul Gupta served as executive director and health officer.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 January 2014Federal agency partnership for health emergency response, disease surveillance, and public health guidance. CDC provided technical support and conducted chart reviews and CASPER assessments following the Elk River chemical spill.
• West Virginia Primary Care AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Partnership for Black Lung Program providing $626,520 grant to support clinical services for coal miners with black lung disease.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• New York State Department of Health: NY DOH is a much larger analog state agency administering Medicaid, WIC, vital records, public-health surveillance, and state-hospital operations. Comparable on scope and regulatory authority though orders of magnitude larger.
• Florida Department of Health: Florida's county-managed state health department operates with a similar decentralized service-delivery model and administers Medicaid, public health, and child-welfare-adjacent programs—an established large-state analog.
• Pennsylvania Department of Health: Pennsylvania's state health department operates a broader portfolio with significantly larger population and budget, but performs the same core functions: licensing, vital records, public-health surveillance, and state health-facility oversight. Useful as a scaled-up comparable.
• Ohio Department of Health: Ohio's centralized state health agency provides the same mix of public-health programs, vital records, and licensing functions, and similarly engages in WIC, immunizations, and emergency response—a relevant peer for benchmarking operational scale.

Regional players

• Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services: Kentucky's combined health and human services cabinet is the most directly comparable peer—same Medicaid, public health, behavioral health, and child welfare scope, serving a neighboring rural Appalachian population with similar health-burden and infrastructure constraints.
• Tennessee Department of Health: Tennessee operates a comparable rural-heavy state health department with central-office plus regional-county structure, administering WIC, Medicaid public-facing services, and child health programs to a population with similar demographic and rural-health challenges.
• Virginia Department of Health: Virginia's centralized state health department administers public health, vital records, and licensing across a mixed urban/rural population. Highly comparable on regulatory authority, vital records operations, and rural-health program structure to WV DHHR.

Others

• West Virginia Department of Health Facilities: Former sibling entity split off in the 2024 reorganization, now overseeing the state-owned hospital and long-term-care portfolio. Useful as a directly comparable spin-out entity to the parent DHHR.
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): Federal counterpart that funds and regulates state Medicaid programs; not a competitor but the principal upstream payer and policy-setter that defines WV DHHR's Medicaid operating constraints and reimbursement framework.
• West Virginia Department of Human Services: Former sibling agency spun out of DHHR on January 1, 2024, now administering the human-services half (child welfare, SNAP, child support). Relevant as the post-reorganization counterpart rather than a market competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WV_DHHR
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCr26TniHeEDCj9vmEnpiN8A
• Facebookfacebook.com/wv.dhhr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about WV Department of Health and Human Resources