In November 2013, the WV Interagency Council on Homelessness (WVICH) was established by Executive Order No. 9-13 to develop a plan to prevent and end homelessness in West Virginia and consists of the following representatives:
Kimberly Walsh, Deputy Commissioner, Programs
WVDHHR Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facilities (WVICH CHAIR)
Commissioner of the WV Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facilities, or designee
Alyssa Keedy
Governor, or designee
Rebecca Nicholas, HHR Specialist Sr.
WVDHHR Bureau for Children and Families
Commissioner of the WV Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Children and Families, or designee
Stacy Brown, Chief Administrative Officer
WV Dept. of Veterans Assistance
Secretary of the WV Department of Veterans' Assistance, or designee
Rebecca Derenge, Coordinator, Office of Federal Programs
WV Dept. of Education
Superintendent of the WV Department of Education, or designee
Erica Boggess, Acting Executive Director
WV Housing Development Fund
Executive Director of the WV Housing Development Fund, or designee
Rick Staton, Director West Virginia Division of Justice and Community Services (DJCS)
Secretary of the WV Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety, or designee
Julie Alston, Director
WV Office of Economic Opportunity
Office of Economic Opportunity representative
Work (Advisory) Group Composition
Pursuant to Executive Order No. 9-13, the council shall be supported by a work group to assist it in its duties and make recommendations about its work. The work group shall report its activities and recommendations to the Council and may be comprised of state agency staff, representatives of the state's continuum of care organizations, a statewide homeless advocacy group, and other entities. The work group shall also assist the Council in reaching out to local communities regarding the state's plan to prevent and end homelessness.
The work (advisory) group will be divided into subcommittees (with no more than 5 members each) focused on the following populations:
- Chronically Homeless
- Community
- Families
- Veterans
- Youth
- Aged
- Special Populations (including: sex offenders, mental health, domestic violence, substance abuse, re-entry, special needs/IDD)
In addition, the work group will be supported by others including members of the Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facilities in a consultative support role.
