Improve the health of communities, individuals, children and families throughout West Virginia by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency.
Be part of the solution in West Virginia by improving the health of our friends, neighbors and community. Promote healthy choices through education, weight loss, nutrition, and physical activity. Members serve throughout West Virginia improving health through outreach and implementation of health programs.
Service Activities
Members teach Group Lifestyle Balance classes, a year long program that targets Pre-Diabetes patients to help them change their lifestyle in order to stop the onset of Diabetes. You also will be leading Chronic Disease Self-Management /Diabetes Self-Management Programs which are 6-week programs and help those with chronic diseases to learn to self-manage their health issues. As a Community Health Education Resource Person (CHERP) you will be certified with skills that are used to help people with a broad range of needs including at-risk health behaviors. Multi-facet physical activities will be used to increase physical activity of participants.
Community Need Addressed
West Virginia ranks 46th on America's Health Rankings 2013 for overall health. The State has a high prevalence of obesity at 33.8% and rank second in the nation for physical inactivity and has an 11.4% rate of diabetes vs 9.3% in the U.S. Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions. It is estimated that 1 in 3 U.S. adults will have diabetes by 2050. West Virginia has limited access to health education.
Position Outcomes
Our participants will live a healthier lifestyle. They will learn how to eat healthier, lose weight and increase their physical activity. Self-management tools will assist those with diabetes and chronic diseases to take control and manage their disease.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
Skills you will gain
Time management, public speaking and accountability
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment