Mark E. McDaniel

This document outlines the strategic direction for the West Virginia Rural Health Transformation Program, aiming to enhance the state's health and economic stability. Its vision is to improve health outcomes, strengthen the rural workforce, and build a self-reliant economy through prevention, innovation, and partnerships. Key strategic priorities include addressing health-related barriers to workforce participation, establishing West Virginia as a center for rural health technology innovation, and strengthening rural healthcare access. These are advanced through seven core initiatives: Connected Care Grid, Rural Health Link, Mountain State Care Force, SmartCare Catalyst, Health to Prosperity, Personal Health Accelerator, and HealthTech Appalachia.

The meeting included public comments regarding Deaf Awareness Day and legislative updates on open captioning. Board members shared information on the executive director's new policy, outreach initiatives for students, and the development of a video podcast series to raise awareness of American Sign Language and Deaf culture. Additionally, the board held a discussion concerning the education of families regarding cochlear implants, emphasizing the need for comprehensive counseling on procedures, therapy requirements, and the critical importance of ensuring language access.

The meeting included public comments regarding difficulties with FEMA assistance and non-responsive video phone communications. The staff report covered updates on board term vacancies, website and social media performance metrics, and the upcoming transition from VQAS to the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters certification program. Additionally, reports highlighted the completion of a free virtual ASL class, the success of Deaf Awareness Day, and future initiatives regarding interpreter contract bidding. Board member reports addressed issues with signage, a proposal to improve email communication between members, the use of sign support specialists in schools, the discontinuation of the Kid's First Hearing Aid service, and information requests regarding services for children with special healthcare needs.

The board meeting focused on several key topics, including public feedback on the need for improved outreach in the Eastern Panhandle and collaboration with other state agencies. Discussions covered the Accessible Smoke Alarm Project (ASAP), historical connection of the Deaf community to baseball events, the structure of advisory committees, and the dissemination of student language assessment data. Financial items addressed included budget expenditures for association dues and miscellaneous activities. Additionally, the Board examined the challenges of virtual workshops versus in-person formats, along with updates from the WVSDB Outreach Center and the West Virginia Advisory Council on the Education of Exceptional Children regarding communication and service outreach.

The meeting included public comments regarding difficulties reaching FEMA and issues with the commission's video phone communications, as well as a request for more certified interpreters in the state. Staff reports covered board member vacancies, social media engagement statistics, a transition from the VQAS to the BEI interpreter certification program, and recent ASL training initiatives. Board member discussions addressed office signage improvements, concerns over potential conflicts of interest, and pending legislation regarding public captioning. Additional topics included interpreter shortages in schools, the discontinuation of the Kid's First Hearing Aid service, and plans for a temporary committee to assist with upcoming interpreter contracting and bidding processes.