In 2001, West Virginia Rural Water Association launched the new Hours for Education and Learning Program (H.E.L.P.).
    

   The H.E.L.P. program replaces the former Progressive Water Systems Training and Technical Assistance Program and like that program, this endeavor is again being sponsored jointly by the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health and WVRWA. Mary Hutson is the H.E.L.P. Training Specialist.
   

    The Progressive Water Systems Training Program was a tremendous asset to community and non-community systems throughout the state and greatly enhanced the opportunities for water operator training and instruction. The new H.E.L.P. program continues to provide outstanding training opportunities with an emphasis on helping the State's water professionals meet the new CEH requirements. Advanced water treatment courses have been added and additional week long lab classes have also scheduled through this program. Each course has been designed to provide classroom and hands-on instruction for those involved in operating a public water system.  Training sessions take place both in laboratory and classroom settings at locations across the State.  Special emphasis has also been placed on regulatory review courses. The production of training videos is also a part of this program. The response to the H.E.L.P. Program has been tremendous with over 1,190 attendees participating in H.E.L.P. classes during 2005.  For  more information about this exciting education endeavor, contact H.E.L.P. Training Specialist Mary Hutson at 1-800-339-4513 or by e-mail at maryhutson@citynet.net.