Regional Task Force on Addiction, Homelessness, and Mental Health Update: July 24, 2025

Elkins, WV – July 28, 2025: The Regional Task Force on Homelessness, Addiction, and Mental Health continues its partnership with community organizations in North Central West Virginia to address these challenges. While the City of Elkins does not provide social services directly, it is working with these local groups, often with limited staff and budgets, to generate long-term solutions—as community leaders discussed during the July 24 meeting.

Key Updates from Community Partners:

• Davis Medical Center: DMC placed six individuals in substance recovery programs; five individuals were connected to psychiatric treatment.
• Family Resource Network: FRN’s next monthly Baby Pantry is on August 8; it will hold a mobile food bank distribution August 28 at Camp Pioneer; and FRN is planning Fall 2025 community trainings (birthing/parenting classes).
• Centers Against Violence has earned a new accreditation to provide parenting classes; it is also hosting a “Sexual Violence in Later Life” training on August 6.
• From the PEERS specialist based in Buckhannon: Work is ongoing to prepare a “Save a Life Day” on September 25 (for Narcan/CPR training); recovery events are scheduled for August 2 in Weston and August 9 in Buckhannon’s Jawbone Park.
• WestCare plans to open a men’s treatment facility in Buckhannon by October. More information about it is here.
• Catholic Charities has been reporting an increased demand for services; it is also seeking a security deposit assistance program for clients so they can get help finding safe, affordable places to rent.
• Randolph County Schools is preparing to post open Game Changer positions and anticipates program reinvestments related to these issues in the coming months.

City-Led Initiatives:

• Code Enforcement: Final preparations are underway for demolishing the property at 1091 Harrison Ave.
• Elkins Police Department has been reporting increased cocaine and fentanyl seizures; it continues to monitor drug trends in coordination with regional partners.
• External Affairs: Seeking community partner success stories from organizations working with the Task Force to show the community there is a commitment to take on these ongoing problems.
• Task Force Leadership: Identifying gaps in transportation, childcare, and mental healthcare access; exploring laundry and hygiene service solutions (as in vouchers, locating a potential facility; it will also research grant opportunities, particularly from corporations given the current condition of federal government grants.

Next Steps:

The Task Force will hold its next meeting on Thursday, August 28, at 1:00 p.m. in the Phil Gainer Community Center. Residents of Elkins and the surrounding area are all encouraged to attend the meeting and engage with participating organizations to volunteer or share their ideas.

About the Regional Task Force on Addiction, Homelessness, and Mental Health:

Established in May 2021, this task force brings together local officials, law enforcement, and community organizations to address homelessness, substance abuse, and mental health needs; it meets monthly in Elkins, WV. The Task Force strives to identify gaps in services, coordinate resources, and implement sustainable solutions to these challenges in North Central West Virigina—including identifying peer recovery support specialists (PRSS), safe sober-living spaces, and expanded recovery facilities.