New Statewide School Telehealth Initiative to Support Mental Health for West Virginia's K-12 Youth and Families Through Rural Health Transformation Program

CHARLESTON, W.Va., Nov. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Following Governor Patrick Morrisey's announcement, Cartwheel Care has received a $1.9M award through West Virginia's Rural Health Transformation Program to connect students and families to high quality mental health care, reduce months-long waitlists, and improve health and success outcomes. 

"Every West Virginia child deserves access to quality mental health care, no matter where they live," said West Virginia Secretary of Health Dr. Arvin Singh, Rural Health Transformation Program. "By bringing telehealth to rural communities, we can identify problems earlier, help children stay healthy and succeed in school, and prevent challenges from becoming more serious and costly."

The program will expand access to telemental health services across the state, responding to a severe shortage of mental health care in West Virginia. Every rural county is a federally designated Health Professional Shortage Area and families in these counties often wait 6 to 12 months for an appointment, drive long distances, or struggle to find a provider who accepts Medicaid.

Cartwheel will use the funding to provide therapy, psychiatry, parent guidance, and family therapy with West Virginia-licensed clinicians. Students can receive short, medium, and longer-term care to cover a wide range of needs schools and parents see daily, from anxiety and school avoidance to grief and trauma. By catching a student who is struggling early, before a problem becomes a crisis and escalates, is one of the most effective ways to keep kids in school and keep costs down.

Secretary Singh added, "What sets this program apart is that it doesn't stop at therapy. It includes psychiatric care and medication management, which is some of the hardest care to access anywhere in rural West Virginia. Students get the full range of support in one place, not just a referral to another six-month waitlist."

The program will be offered to all public school districts in West Virginia and includes students at charter schools, private schools, and microschools, as well as homeschooled students. Students can be referred by their parents or by the school (with parental consent). Parents and caregivers remain closely involved throughout treatment, and with their permission, Cartwheel collaborates with school staff to provide coordinated support at home and at school. Several county school districts submitted letters of support in launching the program.

"Many of our students and families face significant challenges that can impact their well-being, attendance, and success in school," said McDowell County Schools Superintendent Ingrida Barker, Ed.D.. "In a rural community like ours, access to quality mental health support is critical. Investing in these services helps students feel connected, supported, and ready to learn, while giving families access to resources that strengthen the overall health and well-being of our community."

Financial sustainability is a priority for the state as it decides how to invest Rural Health Transformation funding. Across the 20 states where it operates, Cartwheel has developed a uniquely sustainable funding model: It works comprehensively with local health insurers to cover the cost of direct clinical care, and it reserves RHTP funding for only the components of its program that cannot be reimbursed by insurance doesn't cover: implementation, collaboration with schools and families, data collection and impact reporting, and financial aid for families that face unique cost barriers.

"We're honored to partner with West Virginia to bring mental health care to rural schools and families," said Juliana Chen, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Cartwheel. "Rural communities across the state face some of the most severe shortages of mental health providers in the country, and we're grateful for the trust the state has placed in us to help meet that need."

Marshall University will serve as the project's independent research and evaluation partner, with Dr. Conrae Lucas-Adkins of the College of Education and Professional Development leading the evaluation. Supported by the university's evaluation and assessment collaborative, the team will study school-based telehealth mental health services in rural West Virginia.

Interested districts and families can learn more by visiting cartwheel.org/west-virginia.

This is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $199,476,098.72 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government. 

About the West Virginia Rural Health Transformation Program 
The West Virginia Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) launches a once-in-a-generation effort to make health the foundation of economic strength, building a healthy rural workforce and a self-reliant economy through innovation, prevention, and partnership. The West Virginia Department of Health has been chosen by Governor Patrick Morrisey to serve as the lead agency on this initiative.

About Cartwheel
Cartwheel is the nation's largest and most trusted mental health provider working directly with K-12 schools to support children and families. Cartwheel partners with 400 school districts across 20 states, to provide rapid access to high quality care. Founded by educators and clinicians, Cartwheel provides evidence-based therapy, parent guidance, and psychiatry, accepts all major insurance including Medicaid, and involves parents throughout care. Learn more at www.cartwheel.org.

Media Contacts:

Chelsea Coville, Communications Manager, West Virginia Rural Health Transformation Program — [email protected] 

Emily Paisner, Head of Marketing, Cartwheel —  [email protected] — 617.721.7486

SOURCE Cartwheel Care