Partners in Prevention

Partners in Prevention is a unique model of communities working together to strengthen families and help West Virginia’s children grow up free from abuse and neglect.

This model is based on the belief that child well-being hinges on the capacity of local communities to support families and protect children. Partners in Prevention (PIP) teams focus on the Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework, developed by the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP). At the foundation of this approach are five protective factors that make positive outcomes more likely for young children and their families, and reduce the risk of child maltreatment. The protective factors include:

Parental Resilience
Social Connections
Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development
Concrete Support in Times of Need
Social and Emotional Competence of Children

The Partners in Prevention network is comprised of 42 community teams across West Virginia implementing various community projects and working together to keep children safe. They offer family support, resource distribution, educational workshops, and referral to other services when needed.

Participating PIP teams receive annual grants to conduct local projects that strengthen families, protect children, and engage the public in these efforts.

The goals of the teams are to:

Raise awareness about the prevention of child abuse and neglect
Develop and expand effective services that prevent or reduce child maltreatment
Inform policymakers about best practices in the prevention of child abuse and neglect

The Partners in Prevention Community Grants are supported by The West Virginia Children’s Trust Fund and the WV Department of Health and Human Resources.

Community Teams

Partners in Prevention teams are present in 42 counties in West Virginia. In FY 2023, each team received $7,500 in grant funds to implement various community projects that increase protective factors for families and mitigate risk factors for child abuse and neglect.

For additional information about Partners in Prevention, please contact Jessica Dianellos, PCAWV Community Partnerships Coordinator, at (304) 552-4000 or by email at jessica@teamwv.org.

Our Story by the Numbers

During the past year, Partners in Prevention teams across the state of West Virginia:

individuals and organizations received Public Education and/or Services

pieces of educational materials and/or resource packets were distributed to caregivers and community members

individuals and/or organizations were trained through locally-based workshops and a variety of prevention curricula

public events were coordinated in their communities

public messages were generated (via print articles, radio, television, and social media) about the importance of supporting and nurturing children and families, as well as public engagement activities to help families thrive

2023 Innovation Grant Recipients

Since 2003, Partners in Prevention teams across the state have implemented a wide range of community-based activities focused on strengthening West Virginia families and helping children thrive. When the need for services increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, PIP teams stepped up to provide families with critical support.

Thanks to funds made available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), in partnership with the WV Department of Health and Human Resources (WV DHHR), we are thrilled to present three outstanding teams with “Innovation Grants” to advance their efforts addressing the ongoing need.

These awards are intended to support larger-scale projects that prioritize primary prevention (i.e. strengthening protective factors to prevent child maltreatment before it occurs) and that exceed those activities currently funded by the annual Partners in Prevention mini-grants of $5,000–$7,500.

High Rocks Academy, New Beginnings Leadership Journey – $25,000

Through their Leadership Journey class, High Rocks will equip 42 young West Virginians with the knowledge, competencies, and skills to serve as social emotional health peer advocates. Ultimately, the goal is for these individuals to become confident leaders in their peer groups, schools, and communities, modeling healthy choices and helping their peers to find and utilize social and emotional health resources.

Mineral County Family Resource Network, CASA’s Closet – $25,000

CASA’s Closet, a program from the Mineral County Family Resource Network, will provide support to families who are either in the process of reunification or at risk of having their child(ren) removed from the home. Staff and volunteers will utilize existing partnerships with the DHHR and all sub agencies, such as CPS, to meet the short term needs of these families by supplying them with food, clothing, bedding, etc, while also working to address long term needs such as job loss, financial planning, mental health needs, and more.

Regional Family Resource Network, On the Move – $25,000

In collaboration with the Putnam Wellness Coalition, Putnam County Quick Response Team (QRT), and Bin Blasters, the Regional Family Resource Network On the Move project will launch a mobile unit focused on helping address youth substance abuse issues throughout the county. The On the Move Mobile Unit will travel to local areas that have been deemed “hot spots” for substance misuse and child neglect, providing educational resources and on-site “pop-up” activities—including naloxone training—for families.