The Association Spotlight Series

Our first guests in our new studio are Jill and Josh Barker. Jill is Project Director & Community Engagement Specialist for Harmony Ridge Recovery Center , while Josh is the Director of Substance Abuse Prevention and Recovery at the West Virginia Attorney General's Office. Together, their experiences through life and behavioral health have merged their paths to make for an incredibly inspi...

Dr. Stephen Loyd has been the director of West Virginia's Office of Drug Control Policy for nearly a year and a half now. His inspiring and unique journey through addiction, a medical career, and a Hollywood-inspired role in the series 'Dopesick', has led him to West Virginia to continue to steer us through an ongoing opioid epidemic.

On our latest episode of the Association Spotlight Series, we were joined by Chris and Crystal Price of Mountain Care Network , one of the WVBHPA's newest members! Together, they returned to West Virginia to found Mountain Care Network, not only to help the state and the people they love, but also to be part of the growing prosperity in behavioral health.

"If we all wore a sign with our past mistakes on it, and we walked the streets. There's no difference in us and somebody that's facing substance abuse. And just because their physical appearance shows us (a stigma), there's really no difference. We're all humans." On our latest episode, we were thrilled to be joined by Sergeant BJ Adkins, Community Relations and Recruitme...

This week, we are joined by Cory Lilly, Director of Revenue Cycle Management at Recovery Point. Cory's inspiring journey to success is nothing short of incredible. He shares with us his story of long-term recovery and how a near-death experience got him to where he is today.

On our latest episode of the Association Spotlight Series, we were lucky enough to sit down with Captain David Hodges of the Charleston Fire Department to discuss the mental health and wellbeing of our first responders in West Virginia, and how to recognize warning signs among one of our state's most courageous and dedicated workforce. Captain Hodges is a Boone County native and a long-time fi...

Dr. Ashleigh Parker, CEO of Crittenton Services in northern West Virginia, joins us to discuss her journey throughout behavioral health, and the exciting new developments that continue to help children and families in need.

On our latest episode of the Association Spotlight Series, we are joined by our former CEO Mark Drennan, who has taken on a new role as State Director of West Virginia for the National Youth Advocate Program, Inc. (NYAP). Mark talks to us about new position on the provider side of behavioral health and how he plans to improve the foster care crisis we're currently battling here in The Mountain...

Dustin Contos (Williamson Health & Wellness Center) joined us in studio to tell his incredibly unique journey about transitioning from his career as a West Virginia State Trooper to a licensed behavioral health clinician. He explained to us how his work in law enforcement paved the way to finding his passion in bettering people's lives.

Lakie Delida, an Adult Drug Court Coordinator for the state Supreme Court in Mercer County, has lived on both sides of the judicial system. As a recovering addict who was incarcerated for 22 months and lost custody of her children at one point, she is now thriving personally and professionally with an inspirational career throughout behavioral health.

"I had to get out of my own way to be able to thrive. And here I am. I was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison. I could have either let that destroy me or (I could) rise up. And I chose the latter." Durand Warren, Director of Behavioral Medicine at Williamson Health & Wellness Center, joined us to tell his empowering story of adversity and redemption, and how it's fueled his...

Mark Drennan joins us to close out the 2023 West Virginia Legislative Session and explain certain bills that passed and what they mean for the future of behavioral healthcare in The Mountain State.

"I'm sure they're reading these articles and are mad about some of these things that did happen and (about) the people who did make mistakes. And at the same time, they feel like they're painted with that same brush and I don't think that's fair." Mark Drennan joins us today to discuss the recent reports surrounding the IDD setting in West Virginia. Mark says that while no abuse or neglect is acce...

Mark Drennan joins us today to explain the current proposed legislation that will restructure the West Virginia DHHR, splitting it into three separate divisions. House Bill 2006 has passed through both the Senate and the House, and now sits on Governor Jim Justice's desk for approval. To read the bill in its entirety, click here: https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=hb2...

"As this workforce crisis permeates (through) the whole country, and the issue with mental illness and children being raised in the system (partly) due to our opioid crisis that started here in Appalachia, we're seeing those kids now that have been affected by that. We have kids that may be living in hospitals for, unfortunately, years. And that's not appropriate."   Mark Drennan joins us aga...

As we near the halfway point of the 2023 Legislative Session, Mark Drennan joins us today to discuss the issues surrounding Mental Hygiene in our state and how House Bill 3115 relates to the challenges the process is facing.    To read HB3115 in its entirety follow the link here:   https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_St...

Mark Drennan, CEO of the West Virginia Behavioral Healthcare Providers Association, joins us today to talk about the need for a permanent rate increase among workforce servicing individuals with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities in West Virginia. The IDD workforce hasn't received a significant pay rise since 2011 and in that time, inflation has increased by 31%. While cost of living and othe...

John Taylor, a client at Autism Services Center and resident of Huntington, WV, shares his inspiring story with us.    Alongside his longtime staff Emily Young & sister/guardian Mollie Taylor, our own Lake Morehouse discussed John's journey and the bond he's built with his staff over the years, as well as the critical workforce shortage the Intellectual & Developmental Disabiliti...

"This career is so much more than a paycheck. I (respect and) know that people hold doctors in high regard. But this (career) is of that level of importance. I don't think anyone can fully understand the impact of our jobs."   Angie Hamilton Thomas, Executive Director of Pressley Ridge, sat down to talk to us about her fulfilling 30-year journey within children, youth, and family services and...

We loved having Brenda Workman of Bluefield University join us in the WVBHPA Studio to talk about the incredible behavioral health programs and opportunities the university has to offer!

Brandi Edwards is a Community Reintegration Specialist at Southern Highlands Community Mental Health Center in southern West Virginia. Brandi is an addict who has served time in prison and she shares with us her incredibly inspiring journey to sobriety and success!

We were excited to have a conversation with Stephanie Propps, Senior Compliance Officer at EastRidge Health Systems in Martinsburg. Beginning her career working the front desk at EastRidge, Stephanie now has worked her way up to an executive position, serving as a true success story in behavioral health!

Lake Morehouse sits down with Felicia Roark, Addiction Therapist at Thomas Health. Felicia takes us through her inspiring journey working with addiction and substance use patients.

Dr. Jimmie Beirne, Ph. D., is the WVBHPA President and also CEO of Autism Services Center in Huntington, WV. Dr. Beirne sat down with our own Lake Morehouse to discuss his story of starting in direct care and his pathway to becoming a CEO.