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“Every story shared in this newsletter reflects the dedication, compassion, and commitment of MountainHeart employees who work each day to build stronger communities and brighter futures.” 

Welcome to The Heartbeat of the Community

At MountainHeart Community Services, every success story begins with dedicated staff, strong community partnerships, and a shared commitment to improving lives. The Heartbeat of the Community is our staff newsletter created to celebrate the people, programs, and accomplishments that make our mission possible each day. 

Within these pages, you’ll find updates from programs across the agency, employee achievements, community impact stories, special events, and important reminders designed to keep our MountainHeart family informed and connected. From helping families achieve stability through Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) programs to supporting children, strengthening communities, and recognizing outstanding staff members, each edition highlights the meaningful work happening throughout our service area. 

This newsletter also serves as a place to celebrate the successes of our employees and partners whose dedication and compassion make a lasting difference in the lives of the individuals and families we serve. Whether it’s a staff achievement, a community outreach project, or a program milestone, these stories showcase the impact we can make when we work together. 

We invite you to explore the latest edition, stay informed about agency happenings, and take pride in the incredible work being accomplished across MountainHeart Community Services. Together, we continue to strengthen communities, create opportunities, and make a positive difference throughout southern West Virginia. 

Thank you for being the heartbeat of our community. ❤️

About This Newsletter

The Heartbeat of the Community is published to share agency news, employee recognition, program accomplishments, community impact stories, upcoming events, and organizational updates with MountainHeart Community Services staff and stakeholders. New editions will be posted here as they become available. 

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Request for Proposals: 2025 Audit Services

MountainHeart Community Services, Inc. is now accepting proposals for Financial and Compliance Audit Services for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025.
Qualified Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firms are invited to review and respond to this Request for Proposals (RFP). This engagement supports MountainHeart’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of public and grant funding.
📄 All audit requirements, submission instructions, scope of work, and evaluation criteria are contained in the official RFP packet. Interested firms must download and review the packet for complete details.
Key Dates

Proposal Submission Deadline:
April 30, 2026, by 4:00 p.m.

Anticipated Award Notification:
May 18, 2026

Draft Audit Report Due:
June 15, 2026

Final Audit Reports Due:
June 30, 2026

Late proposals will not be considered.
About MountainHeart Community Services
MountainHeart Community Services, Inc. is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) community action agency providing a wide range of human services across multiple regions of West Virginia, including early childhood education, healthcare supports, housing programs, and energy assistance.
How to Participate
All interested firms must submit proposals in accordance with the instructions outlined in the RFP packet. The packet includes:

  • Detailed scope of required audit services
  • Proposal submission and formatting requirements
  • Required qualifications and experience
  • Evaluation and selection process
  • Contract terms and timelines

📥 Download the 2025 Audit RFP Packet

 

Download RFP

 

Questions regarding the RFP should be directed to the contact identified in the packet.

MountainHeart Community Services, Inc. reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals and encourages qualified firms with nonprofit and governmental audit experience to review the packet and submit a response.

 

 

 

 

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QR Code for 2026 Community Needs Survey

“Your voice plays a vital role in shaping the future of MountainHeart’s programs and services. By sharing your experiences and insights, you help us better understand the needs of our communities and build stronger support for families across West Virginia.”

At MountainHeart Community Services, Inc., our mission is simple: Working together with individuals, families, and communities to provide resources for a better life. To do this effectively, we rely on one of the most important tools we have — your voice.

Every few years, we conduct a Community Needs Assessment (CNA) to better understand the challenges, concerns, and opportunities facing the families and communities we serve. This year, we invite you to share your experiences and insights through the 2026 Community Needs Assessment Survey.

👉 Take the survey here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MHCS_2026_CNASurvey

Why Your Input Is So Important

West Virginia communities are diverse, and each one has unique strengths and struggles. The CNA survey helps us collect real, firsthand information directly from the people who know these communities best — you.

Your feedback helps us:

Identify pressing needs

From child care and employment to housing, transportation, and health services, your responses guide us to the issues that matter most.

Improve existing programs

Understanding what is working (and what isn’t) helps us refine our services so they better support local families.

Shape future programs and initiatives

The data we gather plays a crucial role in developing new services that fill the gaps you identify.

Strengthen community partnerships

Local leaders, agencies, and organizations use CNA data to support funding requests, coordinate resources, and drive long-term planning efforts.

In other words — your voice helps shape the future of support and opportunity in our region.

What to Expect From the Survey

The survey is:

  • Completely confidential
  • Open to all community members
  • Quick to complete — typically under 10 minutes
  • Easy to access on any device

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, educator, community partner, or simply someone who wants to help strengthen your community, your input is appreciated.

How Your Feedback Makes a Difference

The insights collected through the Community Needs Assessment have helped MountainHeart:

  • Expand early childhood and family support programs
  • Strengthen employment and workforce development services
  • Improve access to child care and learning opportunities
  • Support families
  • Build stronger outreach programs and community partnerships

Your participation ensures that these efforts remain responsive and impactful as our communities grow and change.

We’re Listening — And We’re Grateful

Thank you for taking the time to share your voice. The strength of MountainHeart comes from the people we serve and the communities we’re proud to support. Together, we can continue building a healthier, more resilient future for West Virginia families.

👉 Take the 2026 MountainHeart CNA Survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MHCS_2026_CNASurvey

#MountainHeart #TogetherWeCan #CommunityNeeds

 

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For Wyoming and Fayette County residents.

MountainHeart Community Services is accepting applications for our Heating/Cooling Repair & Replacement Program for homeowners with non‑working systems.

Who Can Apply?

  • No working heat or air conditioning (your current system must be non-functional).
  • Own and live in the home (provide a deed or title as proof).
  • Household meets one of the following:
    • At least one household member is 60+, or
    • There is a child age 5 or younger, or
    • A household member has a disability.

Required Documentation

  • Proof of income for everyone in the home
  • Most recent power and/or gas bill
  • Driver’s License or Photo ID for everyone age 18+
  • Signed consent form

Monthly Income Guidelines

Household Size Max Monthly Income
1 $2,454
2 $3,209
3 $3,965
4 $4,720
5 $5,475
6 $6,230
7 $6,372
8 $6,769
9 $7,456
10 $8,144

Income limits apply to applicants in Wyoming and Fayette counties.

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Support may be available for qualifying households that need help with non‑working heating or cooling systems.

How to Apply

Please call Angie at MountainHeart Community Services at 304-682-8271, ext. 101 for an application or you may apply online at mylitt.com

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Notice to Child Care Providers

The West Virginia Department of Human Services, Bureau for Family Assistance, has issued an important update regarding Billable Days of Care under the Child Care Subsidy Program.

After a comprehensive review of federal guidelines and statewide feedback, the state will continue upholding the 4-hour rule for billing days.
➡️ This means four (4) hours of care = one (1) billable day, regardless of a child’s age or setting.

This decision helps maintain consistency, ensure program stability, and support predictability for both families and providers. WV DHHS remains committed to supporting child care providers and strengthening services for children and families across the state.

For full details, please review the official notice.

Download the Official Notice

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Download the Official Notice

 

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MountainHeart Food Insecurities Committee – Winter Update

As we step into the new year, MountainHeart’s Food Insecurities Committee is continuing its mission to support families and communities across West Virginia. From practical tips to heartwarming success stories, our latest newsletter is packed with resources you won’t want to miss.

What’s inside?

  • Easy, budget-friendly recipes perfect for soup season.
  • Quick ways to find food assistance near you.
  • Highlights from our recent food drive—over 7,000 items donated!
  • How you can share your own success story to inspire others.

Looking for creative ways to make meals with what you already have? Or wondering how to connect with local resources? We’ve got you covered.

👉 Check out the full newsletter [PDF] for all the details, recipes, and contact information.

Download Your Copy

Your next great idea—or a way to help someone else—might be just a click away!

MountainHeart Food Insecurities newsletter July-September 2025

 

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Introducing Our New Quality Improvement Monitoring and Compliance Specialists

In April 2025, three new positions were created to enhance oversight of West Virginia’s Tiered Reimbursement/QRIS system. These Quality Improvement Monitoring and Compliance Specialists (QIMCS) are responsible for conducting monitoring and compliance visits in childcare programs participating at the higher quality tier levels. By taking on this responsibility, the QIMCS will allow regional Quality Improvement Specialists (QIS) to focus more on direct program support.

We are excited to share that Kristin Watson, Tanya Winter, and Betty Johnson have stepped into these roles. As QIMCS, they will begin conducting monitoring visits and increasing visit frequency, helping to ensure higher quality programs are implementing standards with fidelity.

What Programs Need to Know

  • Programs must provide full access for monitoring as outlined in the Tiered Reimbursement application.
  • A copy of your current application and supporting documentation must be kept onsite.
  • QIMCS will conduct the monitoring visit, but results will be provided to your regional QIS, who will follow up with direct program support and a Quality Improvement Support Plan.
  • As employees of WVECTCR/RVCDS, the QIMCS will always present proper agency identification when conducting a visit.
  • You will receive a call to schedule a monitoring visit window, confirm details, and note up to three blackout dates.

Following each visit, the QIS will meet with your program to discuss findings, support improvements, and connect you with training or technical assistance if needed.

For questions, please contact Jaime Price, Tiered Reimbursement/QRIS Coordinator, at 304-637-5560 or [email protected].

Kristin

Kristin Watson

Tanya

Tanya Winter

Betty Johnson

Betty Johnson

 

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Family Child Care Conference Registration Image

🌟 2025 Family Child Care Conference: “FALL into Business”

Calling all family child care providers and facility staff! You’re invited to the 2025 Family Child Care Conference, a full-day professional development event.

🗓 Event Details

Topic: FALL into Business
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Lunch provided)
WV STARS Credit: 7.5 Hours
Eligibility:

  • Family child care providers (caring for 1–6 children)
  • Facility staff (caring for 1–12 children)
    Meets Tiered Reimbursement Conference Requirement

📍 Two Locations to Choose From

Northern Conference

  • Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025
  • Location: Event Center of Brushy Fork
    929 Brushy Fork Rd., Buckhannon, WV 26201
  • Registration Deadline: October 31, 2025

Southern Conference

  • Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
  • Location: Four Points Sheraton Charleston
    600 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston, WV 25301
  • Registration Deadline: November 7, 2025

📝 How to Register

Download and complete the registration form, then return it to:

Tricia Haynes
PO Box 465, Oak Hill, WV 25901
📠 Fax: (479) 480-7359
📧 Email: [email protected]

Download the Registration Form Below:

Registration Form Download

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  1. What is considered a full day?
    a. Care for at least four (4) hours but less than 18 hours per day
  2. What is considered a part day?
    a. There are two types of part day. Part day less than two hours which is care no less than one minute but not exceeding 1 hour and 59 minutes per day. Part day 2 hours but not exceeding 4 hours per day.
  3. Do part days convert to full days?
    a. Yes, part days can convert to full days, Appendix C of the WV Child Care Policy and Procedure Manual (https://bfa.wv.gov/page/ece-policies-and-regulations) list the full conversion chart, but for example 19 billable 2-4 hour days converts to 13 full days.
  4. Is there a way to still get monthly billing with only part days?
    a. Yes, if a child is in care for 13 full days, providers will be paid a monthly rate, this rate will depend on the age of the child and the parents’ fee.
  5. How is time counted?
    a. Time in care begins when the child is dropped off at your site and signed in, time ends when the child is picked up from your site and signed out by the parent. Time is counted in exact minutes to determine the type of day you will be billing. An exception to this is if your site picks up the child from a school location, then time begins when the child is signed in by a childcare worker on the transportation from school to the childcare stie.
  6. If I have the child in the morning and afternoon can those times be added together?
    a. Yes, billing is for the total time in care for the day, so if the child is in your care in the morning before school and in the afternoon after school, those times may be added together to determine the type of billable day.
  7. When should I submit my billing?
    a. Billing should be submitted to the Resource and Referral office no earlier than the first day of the month following the month of care. For example, October billing would be submitted no earlier than November 1st.
  8. What should I submit with my billing?
    a. All billing submissions should include the request for payment form signed by the childcare provider. Family childcare homes and facilities must submit sign in\out sheets for all children in care each month. Childcare centers must submit sign in\out sheets for school age children monthly, and full sign\in and out sheets twice per year as requested by the Resource and Referral office.
  9. Why has billing changed/ new requirements been introduced regarding school-age children?
    a. Billing procedures have not changed, the policy regarding billing for school age children during time they are in school is not new and has been in place for many years and is based on long-standing federal policy.

WV Department of Human Services Logo

📢 Attention Child Care Providers:
There have been several questions regarding billing and payments, including what qualifies as a full or part day and how to bill for school-age children. To assist you, a list of Frequently Asked Questions with helpful answers has been compiled. Also attached is the conversion chart for your use.

 

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Stay informed on billing and attendance requirements for school-age children to avoid payment delays.

✅ Full-day vs. part-day billing
✅ Conversion chart for part days
✅ Required attendance sheets
✅ Submission timelines

📄 Download School-Age Kids Clarification Notice
📄 Download Provider Billing FAQs
📄 Download Appendix C Conversion Chart

#MountainHeart #TogetherWeCan #ChildCare #ProviderUpdate #WVChildCare #BillingTips #ECE

Get Started

 

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