Cheryl Matteo - Kerney #127

Cheryl Matteo-Kerney has 36 years of experience as an educator, trainer, facilitator, counselor and grant writer. She is the Director of the Middle Peninsula-Northern Neck (MPNN CSB) Prevention Services Division. For the last 29 years, Cheryl has worked at the MPNN CSB in both Prevention and Clinical Services.

Cheryl has extensive professional experience in grant writing, management and evaluation. She is a prolific grant writer, and has successfully obtained and managed multiple federal, state and foundation grants that fund Nurturing Parenting^® Programs and other evidence-based community prevention programs. She has presented on the Nurturing Parenting Programs at the National Prevention Network Research Conference and regional conferences. In 2013, she co-authored a research article published in the international peer reviewed journal, Health Promotion Perspectives, highlighting the positive outcomes demonstrated in the innovative Nurturing Parenting Program adaptation, “Open Group Nurturing Parenting Program”, developed by the MPNN CSB Prevention Services Division. Cheryl also serves on the Virginia Certification Board (VCB).

Cheryl is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University and completed all course work and exams for the Ph.D. in Educational Theory and Policy. After working for Penn State for 7 years, Cheryl moved to Virginia. She has served as a Nationally Recognized Nurturing Parenting® Program Trainer/Consultant for over 26 years. She worked as a consultant and trainer for Prevent Child Abuse of Virginia and trained Nurturing Parenting Facilitators throughout the state. Cheryl is an Internationally Certified Prevention Specialist and has been a Board Certified Massage Therapist through the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork for 24 years. She served as Adjunct Faculty at Thomas Nelson and Rappahannock Community Colleges where she taught Child Development, Sociology and Psychology Classes.

Cheryl resides in southeastern Virginia with her husband Darren, 22 year old son, Noah, a college student, and their ark of wonderful creatures. In her spare time, Cheryl enjoys writing poetry, painting and raising and showing Nationally Recognized Siamese and Balinese-Javanese Cats. She has raised several National Winners! Cheryl also has been an Iyengar Yoga Instructor for 31 years.