Counties in rural West Virginia already face shortages of home health services and nursing home workers. They now face charges of alleged wrongdoing by contract workers at state-run nursing homes.
A new lawsuit cites top-down “systemic failure” where officials allowed frontline workers to act in ways that harmed patients.
Michael Folio, legal director for the nonprofit Disability Rights of West Virginia, the group behind the lawsuit, outlined its goals.
“What we’ve identified is even the regulators in West Virginia that are charged with overseeing these facilities are so underfunded, so underfunded, that often we report incidents to them, even though it’s their job to actually disclose those incidents and to take appropriate Action,” Folio explained.
The lawsuit alleges that state employees knew about abuse, harassment and retaliation against co-workers and patients. According to the health care advocacy group KFF, in 20,400 people living in certified nursing home facilities in West Virginia in 2024.
Folio pointed to documented cases of abuse and neglect over the past year at state-run long-term care facilities. One case is now under criminal investigation, where hot water temperatures are said to reach between 134 and 140 degrees.
“What did they do? They ignored him for five months,” Folio claimed. “They put an elderly gentleman who had dementia and he was non-verbal in that water and left him there.”
According to the National Association for Rural Health, health care facilities are still severely understaffed with fewer clinicians per capita and sicker and older patients on average than urban areas.
Get more stories like this by email
A new report highlighted how regional commissions are helping to improve infrastructure in rural America.
According to the Brookings Institution, the Appalachian Regional Commission has directed nearly 70 percent of its infrastructure funding to struggling rural areas, addressing gaps left by traditional federal programs. The report says that in Alabama and surrounding states, the Commission has been a vital resource since 1965, completing 91 percent of its goal of building highways through the Appalachian Mountains.
The Commission has now said it is shifting its focus to modern priorities such as broadband.
Gayle Manchin, the commission’s federal co-chairman, called broadband the “second highway,” emphasizing its role in expanding education, health care and economic opportunity in rural communities.
“When our kids were sent home to go to school virtually, they didn’t have the Internet to do that,” Manchin said. “Parents couldn’t come home and work. There was no telehealth, and so it became apparent the second highway system we were building.”
Manchin explained that the goal is to reduce the number of struggling cities and poverty rates. Since its creation, she said the Commission has reduced the number of struggling cities by 60% and halved the poverty rate. Manchin added that there is still much to do.
Manchin’s cooperation is key to securing infrastructure funding for rural Alabama, but federal matching grant requirements remain a significant hurdle for many struggling communities. She noted that the Commission’s grants, unlike federal loans, are designed to be more affordable for small cities with limited budgets.
The Brookings report highlighted how partnerships between commissions, nonprofits and grassroots organizations play a vital role in helping communities overcome obstacles and access critical resources.
“It’s about federal agencies working together,” Manchin said. “How they can help bridge these communities by sharing their knowledge and their funding.”
Manchin emphasized the importance of building technical expertise in rural areas, acknowledging that many communities do not have the staff or resources to navigate complex grant applications without outside support.
Get more stories like this by email
University of Oregon researchers say a new online parenting skills program has helped improve the mental health of rural Oregon families.
After using the app, called Family Checkup, for three months, parents reported reduced symptoms of depression and increased confidence in their parenting.
Kate Hales, a research associate at the Prevention Science Institute at the University of Oregon, said the program uses techniques such as focusing on parents’ strengths and positive child behaviors.
“The Family Check really looks at the parent as the expert on their own parenting in their own family and focuses on their own personal goals,” Hales explained.
Hails pointed out that the app is for families with young children and is based on a personal program. She added that it is designed to help rural families who face challenges with transportation, scheduling or stigma preventing them from getting mental health support.
About a third of parents in the study had significant levels of depression when they enrolled, and about a third were at risk for opioid abuse. Hails emphasized that the program starts with the parents’ own wellness.
“We know from research that parents really need to be able to regulate their emotions during challenging times with young children, because this is going to happen regardless of how effective a parent you are,” Cheers emphasizes.
Parents can access the program through their smartphones. It has science-backed lessons and opportunities to meet online with trained parenting coaches. Hails explained that parents can work through the program at their own pace and meet with counselors on their own time, allowing them to multitask if needed.
“This kind of squeeze in life is not possible when we think about traditional mental health or even as the type of telehealth augmentation sessions,” he hails.
The next step, he added, is to evaluate the program’s effectiveness over a longer period of time with trained providers not participating in the study.
Get more stories like this by email
A new program aims to ensure that rural principals can take full advantage of the expansion of high-speed internet services.
Grant applications open this week for nonprofits, tribal entities and others to train underserved communities in tech skills and online safety.
Maggie Drummond-Ball, senior director of digital equity and partnerships for the Connecting Maine Authority, said the funds target those most affected by the so-called “digital divide,” including older Mainers, veterans and with disabilities.
“We know the needs are quite significant,” Drummond-Ball acknowledged. “It’s really a down payment on starting some of those needs.”
Drummond-Bahl said the goal is to fund already affiliated agencies and organizations and work to improve their communities. Maine received nearly $6 million to implement its digital equity plan, which includes expanding broadband services and ensuring its affordability. Approximately 5% of rural Maine still struggles with slow or unreliable Internet.
The Maine Connectivity Authority aims to provide at least 25,000 donated devices for refurbishment, including laptops and tablets. Some of the new funding will be used to promote a statewide campaign to encourage businesses and organizations to contribute. Drummond-Bahl noted that previous studies have revealed that many principals are not confident in their digital skills, but can learn to use these devices better in a familiar setting.
“If you’re an older adult and you’re already connected to your local agency on aging or another partner, it’s a real benefit to do digital skills training with an organization you’re comfortable with and already connected to,” Drummond-Ball stressed.
Drummond-Bahl explained the device recycling and reuse campaign feeds into the state’s environmental and climate goals to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions. She added that the funds will also help develop a new online tool to help people find community resources and the digital skills training they need.
Get more stories like this by email
By james art 