CHERP

A Community Health Education Resource Person (CHERP) is a trained community member who provides information, support, and basic health care services to those who need help.

A CHERP is a paid or volunteer health specialist that helps friends, neighbors, and community members gain access to health care and develop a healthier lifestyle.

A CHERP is trained to answer basic questions about health, disease, nutrition, physical activity and health behaviors.

A CHERP is a partner with doctors, nurses, dietitians, personal trainers and others in promoting health.

A CHERP can train at one or more of six levels:

1. Wellness Specialist,
2. Health Promotion Specialist,
3. Disease Prevention Specialist,
4. Disease Management Specialist,
5. Mental Health Specialist, and
6. Health Counselor.

Anybody 18 or older, with an 8th grade education can certify as a CHERP. No experience is necessary to certify.

Training to become a CHERP is provided FREE through a grant awarded to the Center for Rural and Community Health (CRCH). Classes are held at numerous locations throughout the counties of southern West Virginia.

The research aspect of the CHERP project is to discover to what extent CHERPs are used in their communities.

Become a CHERP

Interested in becoming a CHERP? Training to become a CHERP is free. Classes are held at locations throughout  West Virginia.

Learn how you can be a health leader in your community. For more information or to register for future training, contact Joyce Martin or (304) 793-6571. The training is open to all individuals and no prior health care experience is required.