West Virginia program leaders can use WVSOM’s CHERP training and university-led CHW resources to develop their teams. These program-specific training records should not be confused with a statewide professional license or Medicaid enrollment. Confirm the actual course, employment and funding requirements before assigning services or projecting reimbursement. WVSOM CHERP training WVSOM CHW resources Marshall CHW program
West Virginia CHW quick facts
| Topic | West Virginia guidance |
|---|---|
| Training resource | WVSOM Center for Rural and Community Health, CHERP program. WVSOM CHERP training |
| Entry requirements | CHERP training: age 18 or older and high school diploma, GED or higher education. WVSOM CHERP training |
| Current levels | Wellness and Health Promotion available, Disease Prevention and Management described as in pilot. WVSOM CHERP training |
| Completion evidence | Program registry number and optional purchased completion certificate. WVSOM CHERP training |
| Other program model | Marshall embeds CHWs in chronic-care management teams. Marshall CHW program |
| 2026 funding example | A named RHTP award supports a rural apprenticeship program including CHW pathways. It is not a universal grant offer. West Virginia award notice |
| Last reviewed | November 6, 2026 |
For program leaders
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What does a CHW do in West Virginia?
WVSOM describes CHERP-trained workers helping community members with health information, support and resources. Marshall’s CHW model places workers in chronic-care teams to strengthen community and clinical connections. These examples illustrate different organizational models rather than one identical job across the state. WVSOM CHERP training Marshall CHW program
Define the community, service area and actual responsibilities. A worker supporting a rural clinical team may need different onboarding from someone doing community education. Both need clear boundaries and a process for escalating needs beyond their role.
What is CHERP?
CHERP means Community Health Education Resource Person. It is the foundational training in the WVSOM Center for Rural and Community Health CHW program. The sequence addresses wellness, health promotion, and disease prevention and management. WVSOM CHERP training WVSOM CHW resources
Describe completion by its actual program and level. A CHERP registry number is a program identifier, it should not be relabeled as a professional license, NPI or Medicaid enrollment number. Those identifiers serve different purposes.
Who can enroll in CHERP training?
The current program page identifies age 18 or older and a high school diploma, GED or higher education. It says prior health-care experience is not necessary and recommends basic computer skills for online participation. These are CHERP entry conditions, not universal requirements for every West Virginia CHW position. WVSOM CHERP training
Before enrolling an employee, confirm course access, format, completion expectations and any costs. A page describing program eligibility does not establish that the worker’s employer or funder accepts it for a particular assignment.
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CHERP levels and current availability
The current WVSOM page describes Wellness and Health Promotion as live and the third level as in a pilot phase. Do not tell applicants that all three levels are generally available without confirming the current status. WVSOM CHERP training
Ask the program which level suits the worker’s responsibilities and what remains after each completion. A team working on chronic-condition support should confirm any additional learning and supervised practice it needs rather than assuming the first course covers every activity.
How to prepare for training
- Define the skills and responsibilities the worker needs.
- Confirm the relevant CHERP level and current availability.
- Review entry conditions, course format and assessments.
- Arrange protected learning time and technical access.
- Retain the completion record and program identifier.
- Follow with organization-specific practice and supervision.
The program’s user guide explains its account and portfolio processes. Use the current portal instructions if an older screenshot or account procedure has changed. WVSOM training handbook
Training evidence and additional development
WVSOM’s broader CHW resources connect core training with topic-specific development such as emergency preparedness, chronic-condition support and communication. A specialty resource may strengthen a worker’s practice without replacing the core course or a separate professional qualification. WVSOM CHW resources
Keep a record of the provider, topic, completion date and evidence. Track employer-required education separately from any credential the worker holds. The reviewed training sources do not establish a universal statewide CHW license-renewal schedule.
How Marshall’s CHW model differs
Marshall describes a program embedding CHWs in chronic-care management teams in West Virginia and neighboring states. It emphasizes community and clinical linkages and social needs. The model is a program example, not a statement that all CHWs are employed by Marshall or use its payment arrangement. Marshall CHW program
When adapting a model, identify the elements your organization can actually support: referral partners, supervision, documentation, team communication and follow-up. Obtain the current implementation and funding instructions for your own organization.
Three West Virginia workforce decisions with different evidence
| Decision | Evidence to check |
|---|---|
| Is someone eligible to register for CHERP? | WVSOM lists age, education and the current online levels. The CHERP program site manages registration and completion records. WVSOM CHERP training |
| Does a chronic care team employ or partner with a CHW? | Marshall describes an integrated team model operating across three states. Ask the particular clinic about its referral process, open roles and supervision. Marshall CHW program |
| Is an apprenticeship available or funded? | Use the named Community Care of West Virginia award and ask about current occupations and positions. A CHERP registry number is evidence of training, while an apprenticeship offer is a separate decision. WVSOM CHERP training West Virginia award notice |
West Virginia workforce funding in 2026
On September 30, 2026, the state announced four Rural Health Transformation Program awards totaling more than $1.1 million to Community Care of West Virginia. One award of $354,364 supports a statewide rural health apprenticeship combining paid employment, classes and clinical training. The state expected around 20 first-year apprentices across several pathways, including CHWs, medical assistants, pharmacy technicians, case managers and certified nursing assistants. West Virginia award notice
The full headline amount includes mobile and telehealth investments. The apprenticeship amount covers several occupations. A local applicant should ask the named program which careers and placements are recruiting now. A different provider budgeting a new CHW position needs its own award, contract or employment budget. West Virginia award notice
Does CHERP completion authorize Medicaid billing?
WVSOM’s CHERP evidence documents training. For Medicaid-funded work, identify the service, enrolled billing provider, supervision arrangement and current payer instructions in addition to any course completion record. WVSOM CHERP training
A grant, salary-supported role and a payer-covered service can fund work differently. Keep their documentation and reporting definitions identifiable. Do not import another state’s codes or treat a national Medicare provision as proof of an identical West Virginia Medicaid benefit.
Build a realistic program budget
Include outreach attempts, participant contacts, travel, resource research, documentation, supervision and training. A rural program may have substantial work between completed contacts. Count it for operational planning without assuming every task is separately reimbursable.
Use the actual agreement to identify deliverables and payment. If a contract supports a defined encounter or outcome, determine how other required work will be funded. This makes staffing and software decisions more realistic.
Before a West Virginia clinic offers a rural CHW position
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Identify the actual position and funding recipient. If it is described as an apprenticeship, verify that the named organization is recruiting for CHWs. West Virginia award notice
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Ask the applicant which CHERP levels and examinations they completed. Verify course evidence against the current WVSOM page. WVSOM CHERP training
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Choose how the worker will collaborate with the chronic care team and who receives an unresolved referral. Marshall’s model offers a regional example. Marshall CHW program
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Assign an owner for the next contact and separate time spent in training from outreach actually delivered to the community.
Document the participant’s goals and next action
A useful record connects the participant’s need with the contact, assistance, response and follow-up. Identify the worker and date. Preserve referral history so another staff member can understand what has already been attempted.
For example, a participant may need help accessing a clinic and a community resource. The CHW discusses options and agrees on a next step. If distance, scheduling or resource capacity prevents access, record that result and the plan. A referral sent is different from a connection confirmed.
A rural clinic adds a worker to a West Virginia chronic care team
A clinic wants a CHW to follow up after appointments when participants have difficulty reaching services. Its supervisor can use the Marshall model to discuss how a worker shares unresolved needs with the care team. For an applicant whose background is community organizing, WVSOM’s CHERP gives an entry point without a healthcare experience requirement. Verify the level actually completed and practice the clinic’s referral handoff before assigning that task. WVSOM CHERP training Marshall CHW program
In a fictional follow-up, a participant agrees to speak with a local program but asks for a call after work. Record that preference, who will contact the program, who has accepted the referral, and when the clinic should check again. If the clinic plans to pay for the outreach from apprenticeship funds, verify its participation and approved work separately. A statewide announcement is not a placement agreement. West Virginia award notice
At a community health team walkthrough, test whether the original request and the outcome at the next visit can both be found.
See it in your program
Build your program around a connected workflow.
Bring your forms and reporting needs. See how Smores Health connects service notes, supervisor review, and program reporting in a walkthrough focused on your team.
A 20-minute walkthrough for your program.
Frequently asked questions
Is CHERP a statewide professional license?
It is a WVSOM training program. Describe its completion evidence accurately rather than relabeling it as a professional license. WVSOM CHERP training
Is previous health-care experience required for CHERP?
The program page says no, while identifying age and educational entry conditions. WVSOM CHERP training
Are all three training levels generally available?
The current page describes the third level as in a pilot phase. Confirm availability before planning enrollment. WVSOM CHERP training
Does a workforce award guarantee a CHW job or grant?
No. A named award and an individual employment or funding opportunity are separate. Confirm the current offer and conditions. West Virginia award notice
Were 20 West Virginia CHW apprenticeships awarded?
The state projected roughly 20 apprentices in the first year across several occupations. CHW was one of the named pathways. The announcement did not set aside 20 CHW-only seats. West Virginia award notice