Two-day Supporting & Treating the Addiction-Impacted Family conference in Parkersburg provided opportunities for networking and sharing best practices
West Virginia Press Association
PARKERSBURG, WV (October 30, 2025) — Nearly 40 area professionals working in healthcare, social services, education, and the justice system attended the Supporting & Treating the Addiction-Impacted Family conference, October 21-22, in Parkersburg.
The conference, held at the Wood County Resiliency Center, brought together professionals from multiple sectors to collaborate on how to better serve families in our region struggling with substance use.
Attendees shared strategies, had opportunities to strengthen their networks, and gained insights on providing meaningful support to families impacted by addiction. A special focus of the conference was on exploring the unique pace of healing each family member experiences in relation to substance use.
In addition, attendees learned to better understand addiction and prevention, gained familiarity with effective screening and assessment tools, and bolstered their understanding of the roles primary care physicians, social workers, and others can play in supporting pregnant and parenting families.
Coplin Health Systems hosted the conference in conjunction with the Opioid Response Network and the Office of the Public Defender Fourth Judicial Circuit of Wood County.
The conference was led by two visiting leaders in the addiction and recovery field. The Rev. Jan Brown, Founder and Executive Director of SpiritWorks Foundation, Williamsburg, Va., and Sharon Hesseltine, BSW, President and CEO of Intentional Beginnings, Louisville, Ky., presented and facilitated.
In co-hosting the conference, Coplin Health Systems furthered its commitment to supporting its internal providers by giving them access to best practices and up-to-date information, while also helping local partners and experts grow their knowledge and networks.
“Addiction doesn’t just affect individuals. It also impacts entire families and communities,” said Ashley Blanc, MA, Licensed Psychologist, Coplin Health Systems. “By bringing together healthcare, education, social services, and justice professionals, this conference created an invaluable opportunity to share knowledge, build stronger networks, and find solutions that truly support families in need.”
To learn more about Coplin Health Systems’ Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse Treatment services, visit www.coplinhealth.com/services/behavioral-health.
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About Coplin Health Systems
In 1978, Wirt County Health Services Association (d.b.a. Coplin Health Systems) was established as a non-profit healthcare organization. Since our beginnings in Elizabeth, WV, we have grown into 13 service centers, an administrative center, and a mobile health unit with locations in Wirt County, Jackson County, and Wood County in West Virginia, and Meigs County in Ohio.
For over two decades, Coplin has served as a federally qualified health center (FQHC). As an FQHC, Coplin Health Systems offers a variety of healthcare services to the community. These healthcare services include primary care services, acute/urgent care services, pediatric healthcare services, behavioral health services, SUDs services, dental services, and discount pharmacy through 340B programming. As an FQHC, Coplin Health Systems offers these services regardless of a person’s ability to pay through our sliding scale program. Coplin Health Systems exists to serve the health and wellness needs of our communities. Visit www.coplinhealth.com to learn more.