Think Kids

Think Kids is a new nonprofit, launched in 2020 with the goal of using data-driven advocacy to make meaningful change. We work to ensure that generations of West Virginia’s kids grow up healthy. We work to connect parents, guardians, and care providers with resources and services that ensure that kids are raised in healthy environments. And, we inform and promote changes to local policies, systems, and environments to foster healthy living and prevent health inequities. Kids are the most important investment we can make to change the trajectory of poor health outcomes in our state. 

Check out our bimonthly newsletter, our website, our blog, and our Facebook page.  Currently, we're working to keep West Virginians updated on how COVID-19 (and policy around COVID-19, on both federal and state levels) is affecting our kids. 

We're working on a statewide assessment of the needs of kids affected by the opioid epidemic/drug crisis in our state, one community at a time. This ground-up response helps us understand how policy is interpreted and executed on the community level. It also gives affected families and those on the front lines-- doctors, teachers, social workers, EMTs, pastors, etc.-- opportunities to share their stories, articulate their challenges, and provide ideas for meaningful solutions, so all kids have an opportunity to thrive, dream, and achieve. Join the discussion by joining our Facebook group. 

We're also working with community partners on building bridges between the health care system and community resources that address hunger. Responding to food insecurity has never been more important, or more challenging. Our Health and Hunger Summit Series brings together experts from both fields to discuss system integration, community infrastructures, and policy reform. These sessions are free and open to the public. 

For too many years, West Virginia's children have sat at the bottom of state rankings of overall health, health care access, and general well being. For their sakes, we have an obligation to do better. Your support will help ensure we tackle these historic, systemic challenges with an evidence-based, grassroots response. We hope you'll join us in this fight. A better West Virginia begins with its kids.