MORGANTOWN, WV (LOOTPRESS) — Hope in Action Alliance, Inc. (HIAA), in collaboration with the WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities, is launching the regional pilot of TheLink, a community resource app designed to help West Virginians find services, manage health-related reminders, and connect with local supports.
TheLink is available for use in West Virginia Prevention Region 4, including Barbour, Braxton, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Lewis, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, Randolph, Taylor, Tucker, and Upshur counties. Users outside the region may access the app; however, resource listings and location-based search results are currently limited to participating counties while the pilot is underway.
Individuals, families, service providers, and community partners can download the app by searching “TheLink – Find Local Support” in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Users may also access the platform through thelinkapp.io. Once downloaded, users can search for local services and community resources, save frequently used supports, and set appointment reminders through the app’s calendar feature to help stay connected to important services and supports.
Development began with a planning and readiness phase from March through October 2025, focused on defining the app’s structure, core functions, accessibility considerations, and launch preparation. From November 2025 through April 2026, HIAA and project partners gathered community input through two focus groups: one identifying barriers to accessing services and desired features, and the other focused on design, usability, and outreach.
“This project is grounded in the belief people closest to the challenges are best positioned to help shape the solutions,” said Mary Francisco Newlyn, executive director of HIAA. “This funding gave us space to listen more deeply to communities, gather honest feedback, and let those conversations guide how TheLink was designed—from its features to how we share it with the people it’s meant to reach.”
“Finding help should not be harder than asking for it,” said Amy Snodgrass, deputy director of HIAA. “That message came through clearly from the community, and it is exactly why TheLink was created. The app is designed to make it easier for individuals, families, and providers to find local resources, stay organized, and connect with support when they need it.”
The next phase will focus on launch, field testing, outreach, and evaluation, determining how TheLink can best serve West Virginians across Prevention Region 4 and, over time, the broader state.
About Hope in Action Alliance, Inc.
Hope in Action Alliance, Inc. is dedicated to strengthening community well-being through collaboration. It serves regions connected by shared Appalachian culture, history, and systems of care. The organization bridges advanced systems and grassroot efforts to expand support networks and scale successful community-driven programs. For more information, visit http://www.hopeinaction.org.
About WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities
The West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities supports individuals with disabilities, families, professionals, and communities through training, services, technical assistance, research, and systems change efforts that promote inclusion, accessibility, and quality of life.
