Community Health Education and Resiliency Program


The Community Health Education & Resiliency Program (CHERP, formerly the STD/HIV/AIDS Prevention Program) was established in 1989. As one of the few tribal HIV/AIDS prevention programs nationwide, it has built a trustworthy reputation that has been sustained over its 31 years of operation.

The program seeks to 1) increase awareness of STI, HIV and Hepatitis in AI/AN communities; 2) train Native-serving providers on best practices for addressing STI/HIV/Hepatitis-related issues within tribal communities; 3) provide STI/HIV/Hepatitis health education and risk reduction services for at-risk tribal members to raise awareness of STIs, HIV, Hepatitis and harm reduction practices; and 4) increase the capacity of tribal program staff to develop and implement STI/HIV/Hepatitis prevention strategies in community-based settings.

In recent years, CHERP has expanded its services to include community-based HIV and Hepatitis C rapid testing and positive youth development.

CHERP provides the following services:

  • Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) and HIV Prevention Education
  • Safer sex supplies and HIV Self-Testing kit distribution
  • Rapid and anonymous HIV and Hepatitis C (Hep C) testing, counseling, and referral services
  • Capacity Building for STI/HIV/Hep C prevention and testing services
  • Positive Youth Development
  • Capacity Building for Opioid Use Disorder prevention and linkage to treatment
  • Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid
  • Training of Facilitators for the evidence-based intervention, Cuidaté
  • Technology of Participation Facilitation, including focused conversations, action planning, and strategic planning
  • Coordination of the National Native HIV Network