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Peer HelpER Program Step 1 – Getting Started

Peer HelpER Program Step 1 – Getting Started. Session Objectives. Define Peer Helping Understand the Varied Roles of Peer Helpers D evelop program goals based on needs assessment Create draft mission statement and goals tailored to your school and community.

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Peer HelpER Program Step 1 – Getting Started

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  1. Peer HelpER ProgramStep 1 – Getting Started

  2. Session Objectives • Define Peer Helping • Understand the Varied Roles of Peer Helpers • Develop program goals based on needs assessment • Create draft mission statement and goals tailored to your school and community. • Evaluate ethical standards and program integrity • View Basic Program Development

  3. What is peer helping? A variety of supportive services initiated by students, who are taught a set of core skills to empower them to assist fellow students with emotional, behavioral, and educational challenges they face in day-to-day life. Characteristics: Have a heart for service Receive structured training Adhere to ethical standards Know their limitations and referral processes

  4. Why Peer Helping • The fact is that when a young person is seeking help, validation or guidance, he or she turns to a peer firstand reach out to their parents much later, if at all. When dealing with a problem in their lives, many teens will approach support in this order: 1. Peers 2. School Faculty (counselors, teachers, etc.) 3. Community Leader (such as pastor) 4. Someone else 5. Parents

  5. What are Peer Helper Programs • Peer Helper Programs are school based programs. • Peer Helper Programs are based on teaching communication, coping and problem solving skills in order to equip students with the knowledge to support their peers through daily issues and life obstacles. • Peer Helpers do not serve as counselors but as listening ears, mentors and a bridge between the student body and school counselors.

  6. Peer Programs are Effective because… • Young people are natural helpers. • Young people can be used to augment the limited adult resources school campuses and are a cost-effective resource. • Peer educators are effective in teaching skills for resisting peer pressure to engage in risky behaviors. • Helpers and their helpees report significant gains in self-esteem, behavior, and academic achievement. • Young people who are devoted to service develop key internal assets for personal success.

  7. Development of Peer Helper Programs in baldwin County, AL • Number of schools continue to grow: • 1998 – 2 schools– Bayside Academy and Foley High School. • 2009 - 17 schools • 2011 - 33 schools due to the enthusiastic support of Superintendent Dr. Alan Lee. • 2014 - 46 schools • 2015 – 47 schools with 50 programs

  8. 5 Pillars of Focus: Baldwin County

  9. Bay Minette Middle School “I Am Me”

  10. 3… Common student problems on your campus 2… Things you hope to gain from this training 4… Roles you have (professionally and personally) 1… Person on your campus who will need to be on board to help make PH work 5… words to describe your personality

  11. Possible Roles of Peer Helpers • Academic Tutoring • Mentoring At-Risk Peers • Violence Prevention • Conflict Mediation • One-on-One “Counseling” • New Student Orientation or Buddies • Grief Counseling • Suicide Prevention Programs • Cross Cultural Awareness • Peer Delivered Health Education/Prevention Campaigns • Stress Management • Self-Esteem • Smoking • Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs • Bullying • Cyber-Safety • Healthy Eating Habits • Teen Pregnancy • Coping with Loss • Sexual Health & HIV/AIDS Education

  12. Needs Assessment Use research-based data for conducting needs assessment and selecting how your peer program will be utilized. • Student Survey data i.e. Youth Risk Behavior Survey or PRIDE Survey • School Data: Grade Retention/Failure Rate, Graduation/Drop Out Rate, Attendance, Discipline Reports or Trends • Locally developed Parent, Student, or Faculty Surveys • When seeking administrative support, consider his/her preferences.

  13. Revisit the most common student issues & needs on your campus

  14. Based on your school’s needs, How might you utilize your helpers? Begin brainstorming possible services for your peer helper group.

  15. Establishing Mission & GOals Goals • Consider the changes needed • In these early planning stages, goals could be broad and general describing services you will provide Mission – formal summary of our purpose & values • Why do we do this? • For whom? • What is the nature of our services? • What do we value? Examples: JCMF – To provide youth with the knowledge, resources, and confidence to successfully navigate the pressures of day-to-day life. FHS PH - To empower students to be academically, socially, and emotionally successful; to recognize and resolve conflict; to value diversity; and to be advocates for positive change and healthy choices.

  16. Ethical Standards • Coordinator • Share the philosophy that peer helping is and effective way to assist youth with their problems. • Genuine interest in the well-being of all students on campus • Upholds ethical standards for training and implementation. • Thorough training and knowledge of counseling and peer helping. • Peer Helpers • Qualities: genuine, principled, committed, trustworthy • Sound school history – academics, discipline, attendance • Committed to serving others • Role model (poster child) for healthy choices • Agrees to attend all necessary training • Maintains Confidentiality of program related activities • Knows limitations • Honors school’s referral process

  17. Establish Referral Procedures • What issues will they refer? • Threat of harm to self or others • Suspected abuse • Other? ex: bullying, drug/alcohol, social media concerns, etc. • Issues beyond PH expertise • To whom on your campus will they report concerns? This may be determined by the issue or the location of problem. • Coordinator • Counselor • Social worker • Supervising adult on another campus

  18. Training Content Minimum Curriculum Added In-Depth Topics Peer Tutoring/Study Skills New Student Assistance/Orientation Suicide Prevention Dealing w/Loss Grief Counseling Alcohol/Substance Abuse Mediation Process Delivery of Peer Education Leadership Training Youth Traffic Safety Crisis Management Family Structure, Divorce • Ethical Standards • Code of Ethics • Confidentiality • Referral Process • Peer Helping Skills • Active Listening • Empathy • Questioning/Probing • Assertiveness • Problem Coping & Solving • Specialized Training for all potential Services/Roles • i.e. Mentoring, tutoring, etc.

  19. Steps to Building asuccessful Program 5. Training • Consider logistics – place, time, refreshments, etc. • Set training Norms • Determine Training Topics 6. Conduct Student Training • Ethical Standards • Teambuilding • Basic Skills • Specific Topic Training • Instruction about procedures 7. Gain staff support and create advisory board 8. Ongoing training & service • Club – set meetings at regular intervals to 9. Implement Program Evaluation • Determine the Group’s Purpose by Assessing Needs • Assess needs • Determine the group’s purpose • State mission and goals • Select Facilitator/Trainer • Select training materials • Attend Coordinator Training to develop philosophy and organizational structure • Recruit & Select Peer Helpers • Consider group’s size, mirroring the campus, individual qualities based on roles needed • Create Student Contract outlining Ethical Obligations • Confidentiality • Personal commitment to service and the PH program • Necessary training • Limitations and referral process • Parental Consent

  20. Closing questions Consider anything you’d like specifically addressed in future sessions – even if it’s something already on the agenda but you’re particularly interested in it. Please complete evaluation form

  21. Contact Information Julie Champion Foley High School Foley, Alabama jchampion@bcbe.org 251.379.6349

  22. Kid President’s “20 things” https://www.google.com/search?q=youtube&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS705US705&oq=youtube&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i60l2j0l3.1313j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#q=kid%20president%2020%20things%20site%3Ayoutube.com

  23. References Comprehensive Evaluation of Peer Programs.California Association of Peer Programs. 2001. Energizers and Icebreakers,Elizabeth Sabrinsky Foster, Ed.D. High School Peer Resource Programs: A Director’s Perspective.Ira S. Sachnoff. 1984. Peer Programs: An In-Depth Look at Peer Programs-Planning Implementation, and Administration. Judith A. Tindall, Ph.D. and David R. Black. 2nd ed. 2008. Websites: www.jennifermoorefoundation.com

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