The American Electric Power Foundation is contributing $20,000 to West Virginia Health Right to support on-site behavioral health care at the clinic. The grant is to be used for services by licensed behavioral health care professionals not only to improve the overall health of patients but also to curb growing substance use-related rates of mortality, Hepatitis C and HIV infection.

“We are grateful to receive this grant from the AEP Foundation to support much-needed services,” Angie Settle, chief executive officer of Health Right, said. 

The grant will fund expanded behavioral health care services over the next two years to provide additional access to care.

“Health Right provides critical services here in southern West Virginia, and we’ve been a longtime supporter of its work,” Chris Beam, Appalachian Power president and chief operating officer, said. “We’re happy that the AEP Foundation is able to provide this funding.”

About AEP Foundation: 

The AEP Foundation is funded by American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) and its utility operating units, including Appalachian Power. The Foundation provides a permanent, ongoing resource for charitable initiatives involving higher dollar values and multi-year commitments in the communities served by AEP and initiatives outside of AEP’s 11-state service area. The Foundation focuses on improving lives through education from early childhood through higher education in the areas of science, technology, engineering, math and the environment, and by meeting basic needs for emergency shelter, affordable housing and the elimination of hunger. Other Foundation support may be offered to protect the environment, support healthcare and safety, and enrich life through art, music and cultural heritage.

About West Virginia Health Right:

West Virginia Health Right, the state’s oldest and largest free and charitable clinic, provides comprehensive medical, dental, pharmaceutical, behavioral health/substance use disorder care, vision, health education and mobile dental services to more than 28,000 impoverished uninsured and Medicaid/Medicare underinsured adults.