By Staff Reports
For The Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Parkersburg – Wood County is the latest county in West Virginia reached by a statewide group that distributes complete beds for qualifying households.
The Bed for Every Head program through Riverstone Community Services, part of the West Virginia State Hospital Initiative Inc., last week delivered a complete crib placement for a household in Wood County, the 12th county to be served by the organization since the program began Aug. 26, 2025.
“It won’t be the last,” said Titus Swann, founder and chairman of the State Hospital Initiative.
Bed for Every Head primarily provides complete cribs, bassinets and twin beds to qualifying households. Larger bed sizes may be considered when necessary due to age, height, weight or room-space, particularly when more than one child shares a room. Each placement is reviewed according to program policy and fulfilled as a complete placement when approved.
Swan anticipates more beds will be needed in Wood County as word of their availability spreads and people become informed through agencies.
“Then the floodgates open,” he said.
The need is great here and in every county in the state, he said. Nearly 70 beds have been distributed, Swann said.
The placement in Wood County was from a referral from Mission West Virginia.
Bed for Every Head receives referrals through several pathways, including Mission West Virginia, West Virginia Department of Human Services caseworkers, schools, family support workers, housing-related contacts and households that apply directly. The program is child-first and built around rapid response, with the goal of moving from approval to placement in a matter of days whenever possible, according to a release from the State Hospital Initiative.
Riverstone Community Services is encouraging Wood County residents, caseworkers, school staff, churches, civic organizations, and community advocates to help identify households where a child may be without a proper bed, crib, bassinet or safe sleep placement, the release said.
“If there is a child in Wood County without a safe or proper place to sleep, we want the people around that child to know they can reach out,” Swann said in the release. “Sometimes the first step is simply making sure the right person knows help may be available.”
Families and referral sources may learn more or contact the organization at riverstone@wvshi.org or visit www.wvshi.org.
Donations to the program can be made by calling 304-460-5727 or at the program’s website, WVSHI.org.
The West Virginia State Hospital Initiative Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization focused on preserving the history of West Virginia’s state hospitals, advancing public education and carrying out related charitable work.
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