Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for more details? Not sure if you're a fit for the program?

Read through our FAQs for extra insight. Still not finding what you need? Contact us with your questions.

I’m applying as a city, but some health policies come from the county. How do I handle this on my application?

A city can reference a county policy if it falls under its jurisdiction. Provide the name of city/county/organization that passed each policy to document benchmark selected.

How do you define a farmers market?

A farmers market is defined as a multi-stall market at which farmer-producers sell agricultural products directly to the public at a central or fixed location, particularly fresh fruit and vegetables (but also meat products, dairy products, and/or grains).

A direct-market farmer sells food grown or raised on their farm directly to consumers. Both types of businesses are eligible for FNS approval to accept SNAP benefits.

Both count as a “farmers market” in the WVHPHP benchmarks.

Where can I find the number of incorporated municipalities in my county.

Many of the county benchmarks require a quarter of a county’s incorporated municipalities to meet the standards. The WV Home Town Locator website can help you determine that number.

Visit the site by clicking here.

What do you mean by a “new” trail?

A new trail is 5 years or newer. However, if an older trail has undergone renovations in the past 5 years that will be accepted.

Is there a monetary reward?

There is no monetary award. However, recipients can reference their status when applying for grant funding to help meet the benchmarks for Healthy People Health Places.

How is this different from Try This WV?

Try This is a grant funding program to improve the health and wellbeing of West Virginia residents. West Virginia Healthy People Healthy Places program is an award program recognizing the great works in communities of programs such as Try This, Growing Healthy Communities, Change the Future WV and other great programs across WV changing environments and policies to improve the overall health of West Virginia.

What do communities receive if they are recognized?

The incentives for applying are different for the levels of recognition achieved. All communities receiving recognition will be highlighted in a press release and on the WVHPHP website and social media channels. Awarded communities are also invited to an awards event where they will receive recognition from the governor

Bronze and Silver award recipients will also receive window clings for all city or county buildings to promote your level of recognition and technical assistance to achieve the next level of recognition.

Gold award recipients will receive everything the Bronze and silver level winners receive plus statewide press release touting their gold level status and sign to display in their community.

The Platinum award recipient will receive a feature in a statewide West Virginia Magazine (TBA), a marquee stating recognition, window signage for all city/county buildings and technical assistance to apply for national recognition.

Are there grant opportunities to help us reach the next level or maintain our programs?

Yes. Several of our partners offer grants to communities to help improve the built environment and strengthen policies to help increase access to Physical activity, Healthy Food, Nutrition programs and help people be tobacco-free.

In addition, WVHPHP offers guidance and support to recognized communities as they strive to reach higher levels of impact and recognition.

Who is eligible to apply? What does community mean?

Towns, cities, and counties throughout the state are eligible to apply. There are 4 population size categories for cities/towns and 3 for counties. Small communities will not be held to the same standard as the larger ones.

Community partners/organizations that have a letter of support/recommendation from any level of government (local or county) can apply for their local jurisdiction and assist in the application process. A community partner/organization does not have to be non-profit.

Unincorporated communities that have a letter of support/recommendation from their county commission can apply and will be evaluated on their county-level policies.

Define what you mean by policy?

A policy is a set of principles, rules, and guidelines formulated or adopted by an organization to reach its long-term goals and typically published in a booklet or other form that is widely accessible.

Why do I need a government official as a partner to apply?

Most of the time these award programs are off the radar of day to day operations of a local government. Community organizations applying for the award on behalf of the city/county helps keep them aware of what is going on in the community and policies that may need passed to improve the health of their constituents. Ultimately the communities governing body receives the Healthy People Healthy Places award that the community organization has helped facilitated in the application process. In the future Healthy People Healthy Places plans to roll out other sectors (worksites, community organizations, health systems, etc.) to recognize that are doing outstanding work in improving the health of their communities.