U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Indian Health Service: The Federal Health Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives

Community health representative: The first tribally contracted program, since 1968 - American indian paraprofessional healthcare providers

Creating a Workforce that Improves Community Health

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CHR Stories Series

CHR stories

The CHR Stories Series is about the inspirational CHRs we all encounter, relevant issues, cultural traditions and rich histories that make up our many Tribal communities. These stories highlight individual CHRs through personal interviews, slice of life episodes and insightful portraits.

We’re depending on you CHRs and community members to submit your stories from which we can all learn about those CHRs who inspire you and whom we can honor in this small way.  Enjoy “our” stories!

Please, Please, Please send any comments, suggestions or errors (as well as ANY compliments) that you find to us

Accomplishments and Awards ››

Help and Funding Resources ››

Education Resources ››

History and Background

It is generally accepted that the CHR program began in 1968, but the CHR program was not a creation of the Indian Health Service.
Read more about the history of CHR ››

Training Update

We hope that by now you have heard through your CHR Area Office Coordinator that the last half of the CHR Basic & Refresher Trainings for 2009 has been cancelled due to issues regarding the Inter-Agency Agreement (IAA) with the Veterans Administration (VA).

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What Can One CHR Program Do?

Energy drinks regulated in Montana thanks to efforts of Blackfeet CHRs

State legislators, Governor Brian Schweitzer and Blackfeet CHRs
This is the group of state legislators, Governor Brian Schweitzer and the Blackfeet CHRs who, together, created one of the first set of laws in the United States, regulating the sale of energy drinks. Photo by John McGill

"The Blackfeet Community Health Representatives (CHRs) did an amazing job of identifying an issue that's real in our community," said Montana Rep. Shannon Augare last week. The local legislator was referring to SB-438, a senate bill regulating the sale and distribution of energy drinks, one created and made possible through the efforts of the Blackfeet CHR program. Read Full Story ››

Share What Your CHR Program Has Done

Please send stories with pictures to dione.harjo@ihs.gov for consideration to be included on the National IHS CHR Webpage for what your CHR program is doing.