Health
At Mountain Projects, we take a whole-person approach to health. Our programs address the many factors that impact well-being—from access to healthcare and nutritious food to safe housing and substance misuse prevention
Through GetCovered WNC, we help individuals navigate affordable health insurance options. The Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP) connects eligible Medicaid members with food, housing, transportation, and safety services. Our Food Service Program prepares over 1,000 healthy meals daily for seniors, children, and families, while Mountain Strong WNC promotes prevention and resilience through substance misuse education and outreach.
Together, these programs help our clients lead healthier, more stable lives across Western North Carolina.
GetCoveredWNC
Healthcare can be confusing—but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Our certified counselors provide free, unbiased guidance on Medicare, Marketplace health insurance, and local coverage options, helping individuals and families find the plan that fits best.
Trusted, local experts helping people enroll in affordable healthcare coverage, apply for benefits, and connect to resources. This program ensures Western North Carolinians don’t miss out on the support available to them.
Program Locations
Get Covered WNC serves Haywood, Jackson, Swain, Graham, Clay and Cherokee Counties in Western North Carolina.
Offices
Sylva Location
154 Medical Park Loop
Sylva NC 28779
Program Contacts
Program Coordinator
Jan Plummer
828-492-4111
Clay & Cherokee Co.
Sarah Clark
828-400-3149
Graham & Swain Co.
Caitlin Quinnett
828-550-7908
Haywood Co.
Jane Harrison
828-492-4104
Jackson Co.
Susan Rose
o. 828-586-2345, ext. 314
c. 828-476-9194
Mountain Strong
Mountain Strong WNC is dedicated to preventing substance misuse before it starts.
We provide community-based training to foster resilience and prevent overdose deaths, distributing locks and lock boxes for safe storage of prescription meds and alcohol.
We support youth prevention education in schools, launching ad campaigns aimed at parents and teens.
We equip young people, adults and organizations with reliable information and effective tools to navigate challenging times, promote well-being, and steer clear of high-risk behaviors related to substance abuse.
Advertising Campaigns
Mountain Strong reaches out to clients across the western mountains through a variety of media.
Food Services
Since the 1970s, Mountain Projects’ Food Service Program has been providing affordable, nutritious meals across Western North Carolina. From our commercial kitchen in Sylva, our team prepares and delivers over 1,000 meals daily to 51 sites in Haywood, Jackson, Swain, Clay, and Cherokee counties. These meals support older adults, Head Start children, and individuals facing food insecurity—ensuring everyone has access to healthy food.
Since the 1970s, Mountain Projects’ Food Service Program has been providing affordable, nutritious meals across Western North Carolina. From our commercial kitchen in Sylva, our team prepares and delivers over 1,000 meals daily to 51 sites in Haywood, Jackson, Swain, Clay, and Cherokee counties. These meals support older adults, Head Start children, and individuals facing food insecurity—ensuring everyone has access to healthy food.
Program Locations
Mountain Projects operates a central commercial kitchen in Sylva, and delivers to clients from that location. Visits by appointment only.
Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP)
The Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP) is a groundbreaking, Medicaid-funded program that addresses non-medical needs affecting health. Mountain Projects serves Haywood and Jackson counties by delivering services like food boxes, produce vouchers, transportation, housing support, and more to eligible Medicaid participants. Coordinated by Christy Mosteller and her team, HOP helps people improve their health by meeting basic needs like nutrition, safety, and stability.
Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP) services are for Medicaid enrollees who meet at least one state defined health criteria, and at least one of the state’s defined social risk factors.
Social risk factors are a variety of factors that can impact health and life expectancy, including:
- Socioeconomic status: Income, education, and occupation can all impact health.
- Race and ethnicity: Race and ethnicity are powerful independent factors that can impact mortality.
- Social support: Social support and networks can impact health.
- Health insurance: Absence of health insurance is a social risk factor.
- Other social risk factors include social isolation, limited community resources, occupational stress, unemployment, retirement and transportation barriers.
Social risk factors can contribute to health disparities and inequities. For example, people without access to healthy foods are more likely to have health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
Services Offered:
Healthy Food Boxes
HOP Healthy Food Boxes include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins and other nutritious foods to help supplement 1-2 meals per day for 1 week. Food boxes are available in large and small boxes depending on family size and need. Food boxes can be provided through pick up or delivery.
Healthy Meals
The HOP Healthy Meal service provides frozen or shelf stable meals to promote improved nutrition. This service provides 1-2 meals per day for a week. Meals are available through pickup or delivery.
Housing Services
- Housing Navigation Support and Sustaining Services
- Essential Utility Set-up
- Housing Move-in Support
- One-time payment for Security Deposit and first month’s rent
- Home accessibility and Safety Modifications
- Essential utility reconnect
Transportation Services
Transportation needs are met using Haywood Public Transit Service.Services provided are for non-medical services that promote community engagement, health and wellbeing, such as Grocery store/farmers market, job interviews, place of work, group parenting classes, childcare, and health and wellness activities.
“I don’t think people understand how expensive it is to be poor. My Grandma is doing the best she can. And it’s okay to ask for help sometimes—HOP gave us that help.”
Program Locations