Health center program - mountain laurel integrated healthcare (mlih), originally established as logan mingo area mental health, INC

The Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration awarded $1.3 million to Logan-Mingo Area Mental Health, Inc. (doing business as Mountain Laurel Integrated Healthcare, or MLIH) on August 1, 2026, under the Health Center Program (CFDA 93.224).

MLIH delivers integrated primary medical, behavioral health, and oral health services to medically underserved populations across a five-county rural service area in southern West Virginia: Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mingo, and Wyoming counties. The region experiences high poverty rates (more than half of residents below 200 percent of federal poverty guideline), elevated rates of chronic disease including heart disease and diabetes, food insecurity, and limited health insurance coverage. MLIH addresses substance use disorders through medication-assisted treatment and addresses the region's evolving addiction landscape as methamphetamine and polysubstance use rise. The organization provides comprehensive services designed to address health-related social needs including housing and employment barriers.

MLIH, originally established as Logan Mingo Area Mental Health, Inc. in 1970, earned recognition as a Health Center Program Look-Alike in February 2020. The award carries a period of performance from August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027, with place of performance in Logan, West Virginia 25601. Awards beyond the first budget period depend on congressional appropriation, compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, and satisfactory progress toward project objectives.

In 1970, has a long-standing commitment to improving the health and well-being of residents in southern west virginia. For over 50 years, mlih has been a vital provider of behavioral health services, earning recognition as a health center program look-alike (LAL) in february 2020. This designation reflects mlih's expanded role in delivering integrated care, combining primary medical, behavioral health, and oral health services to meet the complex needs of underserved populations in a five-county rural service area. Mlih serves lincoln, logan, mcdowell, mingo, and wyoming counties, a region characterized by high rates of poverty, chronic illness, and limited access to integrated healthcare. More than half of area residents have incomes below 200% FPG, which is significantly higher than the state and national averages. The service area also has a higher percentage of individuals without health insurance or who are covered by medicaid. The opioid epidemic, once the primary driver of substance use disorders, has shown signs of decline due to targeted interventions such as increased access to medication-assisted treatment (mat), public health campaigns, and tighter regulations on opioid prescriptions. However, as opioid use declines, other substances are emerging as significant challenges. Methamphetamine use, in particular, has been on the rise, alongside increasing concerns about polysubstance use. This shift presents new challenges for healthcare providers, requiring a broader approach to integrated care that addresses the evolving landscape of addiction in the region. The agency's comprehensive services are designed to address this unique challenge embedded in the high prevalence of chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Other health-related social needs such as food insecurity, low educational attainment, unemployment, low income, and limited health literacy further impact the population's ability to improve and maintain their health and well-being. Mlih's integrated care model ensures that patients receive coordinated, patient-driven care, addressing both physical and behavioral health needs. Mlih's qualifications to improve the health of underserved populations are demonstrated by its ongoing commitment to high quality care. In 2023, mlih received multiple hrsa community health care quality recognition badges, including access enhancer, health disparities reducer, and advancing HIT for quality. These accolades highlight mlih's dedication to reducing health disparities, enhancing access to care, and leveraging health IT to improve patient outcomes. Despite these achievements, the service area remains designated as a medically underserved area, with all counties identified as health professional shortage areas for primary care, dental health, and mental health services. Since achieving LAL status, mlih has experienced a 30% increase in the number of patients served, reaching 2,787 in 2023. Additionally, because the population is spread throughout numerous small communities, we will introduce a mobile unit that will greatly reduce transportation barriers and offer integrated health services, including substance use disorder services. With this expansion, mlih will overcome the significant barriers to healthcare faced by residents in this region, where transportation challenges and workforce shortages are common. By bringing essential health and supportive services directly to the communities we serve, mlih is well-positioned to improve health outcomes enhancing the quality of life for some of the most vulnerable populations in appalachia. We project to serve 4,386 total unduplicated patients in 2026.