October 9, 2026 Governor Morrisey Joins Federal Partners to Launch NEST Program in West Virginia ...

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Governor Patrick Morrisey today joined Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Administrator Tom Engels at WVU Medicine Golisano Children's to launch the national expansion of the Newborn Essentials Support Toolkit (NEST) Program, with West Virginia becoming the first state to receive kits as part of the expansion. The initiative provides families with essential newborn and postpartum supplies along with trusted health information and resources.

"Every child deserves the strongest possible start in life, and that begins with making sure mothers and families have the support they need when they welcome a new baby," said Governor Morrisey. "NEST brings together practical resources and important health information at a time when they can make a real difference for both mother and child."

NEST is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that brings together public and private partners to support mothers and babies during the critical period surrounding childbirth. Approximately 2,000 kits are expected to be delivered to West Virginia families during this phase of the program.

Each NEST kit includes more than 20 newborn and postpartum essentials, including diapers, wipes, an infant thermometer, postpartum recovery and breastfeeding supplies, and a blood-pressure monitor. Families also receive information on postpartum health, infant safety and care, feeding and nutrition, and programs and resources available to support parents and their babies.

Governor Morrisey and Administrator Engels toured WVU Medicine Golisano Children's before participating in a roundtable with patients and health care leaders to discuss the needs families face during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period.

West Virginia is also investing approximately $200 million in federal Rural Health Transformation funding to expand access to care, strengthen the health care workforce and improve health outcomes across the state.

"We want West Virginia to be the best place in America to raise a family, and that means supporting families from the very beginning," said Governor Morrisey. "By working with the Trump Administration and our health care partners, we can give parents more tools to care for their children and help more West Virginia babies get a healthy start."