Research indicates that teens are more likely to go to their peers when
looking for information about sensitive subjects like sexual
involvement, substance abuse, or peer pressure than they are to go to
adults.
The Peer Education program is a teen pregnancy prevention and school
completion program that has been in operation since 1991. The program
is currently active in seven area schools. There are two parts to the
Peer Education program; (1) Lifeskills and (2) Peer Helpers.
(1) Lifeskills:
Lifeskills is
a 10 - 12 week program that teaches students about various
asset-building behaviors, such as decision-making, self-esteem
enhancement, effective communication, and alcohol and drug prevention.
Lifeskills students are self-selected or recommended by a teacher.
Lifeskills is generally taught at the sixth grade level in our middle
schools and in the ninth grade at participating high schools.
After students complete the Lifeskills program they have the
opportunity to apply to be Peer Helpers. Applying for Peer Helpers is
just like applying for a job. Students are required to fill out an
application, sit for an interview, and receive a recommendation from an
adult at school. There are also academic and behavioral standards that
students must agree to before becoming Peer Helpers. If these
expectations are not met, a Peer Helper can be put on probation or
dismissed from the program.
Every year more than 1,000 students complete the Lifeskills program.
There are approximately 200 students currently involved in the Peer
Helper program.
(2) Peer Helpers:
Peer Helpers use
communication and active listening skills to encourage self-exploration
and responsible decision-making among themselves and their peers.
Students accepted into the Peer Helper program go through a year-long
training. At this time they learn about listening and communication
skills, how to make referrals, problem-solving techniques and other
information that will assist them in their role as a Peer Helper. The
following years they continue to be trained in more specific
behavior-related areas and are finally able to work in the Resource
Room. The Peer Education Staff uses science-based curricula that the
CDC has recommended as ‘Programs That Work’ to teach the Peer Helpers.
The Resource Room is a place where all students can come to get
information, brochures, referrals, and help with problems. One thing
that is not provided in the Resource Room is advice. Though students do
help problem-solve, Peer Helpers are there to guide students, not tell
them what to do. Visitors to the Resource Room are empowered to make
their own decisions, even if they need a little help, and to be
responsible for the outcomes.
Everything discussed in the Resource Room is confidential. A member of
the Planned Parenthood staff is always there in case someone comes in
with a serious problem. Anything that seems harmful to the student or
someone else or anything illegal is considered a "red light problem"
and must be brought to the attention of the Planned Parenthood staff
member. The Peer Helpers have been trained to identify these issues.
The school liaison is also informed about all red light problems.
The Peer Helper program is designed to have additional benefits for the Peer Helpers:
- Being
a Peer Helper is often the student's first job experience. Peer Helpers
gain experience going through the job application process. They are
also held accountable for their work by their "supervisor" and receive
periodic performance appraisals, as well as a small stipend that is
dependent upon their hard work in the program.
- Peer Helpers
have the opportunity to be actively involved in creating a healthier
school environment. This instills in them feelings of competence,
confidence, belonging, and responsibility.
- Peer Helpers
have reported that their training helped them become more effective
communicators within their personal lives. As a result they experience
less hostility, frustration, and stress.
- Students are
required to participate in at least one community service program
during each year they participate in the program. This gives them an
increased sense of community involvement, as well as an accomplishment
for which they can be proud.
- Students have the opportunity to enjoy the region's cultural resources through yearly field trips.
For more information on the Peer Education program, call the Peer Education Coordinator at
412.434.8957 x 124 or email
peered@ppwp.org.
