building a peer helper program
TRANSCRIPT
Cynthia Morton, Ed. D.
Deidra Greene, Ed. S.
ASCA 14 Pre-Conference
Workshop Presented to 75 school counselors from the US, South
America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
Reviewed examples of peer helping at the elementary, middle and high school level.
Analyzed how to utilize peer helping in the delivery of "Closing the GAP Action Plan" and the "School Counseling Core Curriculum Action Plan".
Counselors will put together a peer helping plan for your organization based on need.
Counselors interested in receiving the National Association of Peer Program Professionals Certified Peer Program Professional (CPPE) designation as a result of this training, will be asked to do some pre and post activities.
VISION
Establishing a culture of
people helping people
MISSION
To help adults establish, train, supervise, maintain and evaluate peer programs
WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES
Participants will be informed how they can provide leadership in designing a peer
helping program that:
Is a valuable component of a Comprehensive School Counseling
Program as outlined by the ASCA National Model
Incorporates the NAPPP Programmatic Standards and Ethics regarding
establishing, supervising, and evaluating
Leadership Advocacy
CollaborationSystemic
Change
Advocating
for the
Disabled
Educating
about Sexual
Harassment
Educating
about Sexting
Drug
Awareness
Combating Society’s
Messages About Body
Image
Teaching
about Dating
Violence
Preventing
Bullying
Promoting
Diversity
Building Self
Esteem
Educating about Healthy
Relationships
Mentoring
Youth Healthy Lifestyles
ASCA 2008 Position Statement
Peer-helping programs are implemented to enhance the
effectiveness of school counseling programs by increasing
outreach and the expansion of available services.
NAPPP
Peer helping programs provide peers with training to offer a
variety of services to other students, aided by supervision
provided by trained peer program professionals.
Discussion
What type of services will your program provide based on the needs of the school?
Who will your program reach out to in the school?
How will students be supervised?
Peer Program Professional Roles
Peer Helping
Ad
min
istratio
n
Promote peer helping programs as important components of the School Counseling Comprehensive Program and directly aligned with the school’s mission and objectives
Provide leadership in setting up a peer program following NAPPP Programmatic Standards and Ethics
Peer Program Professional
Administration Role Develop a program based on data-driven decision making
Acquire support from administrators, teachers, students, parents, and other educators
Connect program objectives to ASCA student competencies, state and/or common core learning standards, and ASCA Ethical Standards
Organize a team of trained peer program professionals and/or an advisory Council
Organize training, service delivery, supervision, and funding
Conduct ongoing evaluation
Provide a plan for program sustainability
Provide bonding experiences for
peer helpers
Apply principles of group dynamics
Promote a structure that
maximizes opportunities
for student and adult
connection
Arrange for ongoing training,
supervision, and evaluation
Peer Program Professional Training Role
Collaborate with school
personnel in the
development of selection
procedures for peer helpers
Provide initial
training in
communication
skills according
to the
developmental
level of students
Arrange for additional
training that is program
specific for peer helpers
Offer
opportunities
for ongoing
training for
peer program
professionals
How Can You Peer Helpers?Potential Roles of Peer Helpers
One-to-one assistance
Group settings
Educational functions
Hospitality
Outreach
Types of Peer Helping Programs
Peer Mediation
Peer Tutoring
Peer Education
Peer Leadership
Peer Listening
Peer Counseling
NAPPP PROGRAMMATIC STANDARDS
How Do I Start My Program?
1. Conduct a needs assessment
2. Formulate a mission statement for your program
3. Develop clear, realistic, and achievable goals
4. Organize goals in a clear and systematic fashion
5. Implement program in a manner consistent with local, state, and national guidelines for programmatic standards and ethics (i.e. NAPPP Code of Ethics for Peer Helpers and Peer Helping Professionals)
6. Program staff should possess the appropriate background, training and characteristics to enable them to carry out their responsibilities in an effective and ethical manner, including 10 essential skills.
7. Establish the programs organizational structure in a way that provides clear lines of authority, responsibility,
NAPPP PROGRAMMATIC STANDARDS
How Do I Implement My Program?
1. Establish appropriate criteria as to the
characteristics being sought among peer
helpers.
2. Solicit recommendations and include
structured interviews and application process.
3. Training should provide quality instruction in
the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to
be an effective peer helper.
4. Peer Helpers should be provided with structured
opportunities to engage in meaningful, productive roles.
NAPPP PROGRAMMATIC STANDARDS
5. Staff monitors program activities and services
6. Enhances effectiveness and personal growth of peer helpers
7. Encourages peer helpers to share with, learn from, and support each other in the performance of their helping roles
Effective Peer Training Models Include:
1. Role of the Peer Helper
2. Confidentiality and Liability
Issues
3. Communication
Skills
4. Problem solving/Decision-Making Strategies
5. Additional specialized training addressing issues and topics dependent upon the nature,
goals, and preferred student/school outcomes of the
particular program
School/Student Outcomes
Increase academic performance
Increase attendance rates
Increase positive attitudes and personal responsibility toward learning and education
Increase respect for diversity
Empower students to be leaders
Promote a spirit of volunteerism
Increase self-esteem
Increase communication skills
School/Student Outcomes Improve college and career readiness
Develop collaboration/conflict resolution skills
Decrease failure rates in classes and between grades
Decrease behavior problems
Decrease bullying
Decrease use of drugs and alcohol
Decrease suspension rates
Decrease feelings of isolation
Your program should…
Be consistent with program goals
Enable peer helpers to apply knowledge and skills learned in
training
Enhance personal growth of peer
helpers and helpees
Be evaluated for effectiveness and
need for continued learning and
training
Establish safeguards to protect peer
helpers
NAPPP PROGRAMMATIC STANDARDS
How Do I Maintain My Program?
1. Provides data to document the progress and effectiveness of program-related activities and services
2. An evaluation plan enables the staff to make data-driven decisions
1. Process Evaluation
Includes information such as: number of helpers and helpees; program staffing and organization; selection procedures; training and services provided
2. Impact Evaluation
Assesses the program’s effect upon peer helpers and peer helpees within a set period of time; qualitative and quantitative data are used
3. Outcome Evaluation
Assesses long-term changes to the peer helpers, the peer helpees, and the community
4. Cost Benefit Monetary savings related to the effectiveness of the program
How to Increase Your Knowledge and Resources as a Peer Program Professional?
Certified Peer Program Educator
To promote professional standards, practices and ethics
To encourage self-assessment by offering guidelines for achievement
To improve performance by encouraging participation in a continuing program of professional growth and development
To acknowledge a level of educational training essential for effective peer program administration and/or operations
To foster professional contributions to the field
To maximize the benefits received by the peer program community from the leadership provided
Some features include:
Newsletters
Events/Training
Best Practices
Resources
Certification
Resources
http://www.livebinders.com/play
/play?present=true&id=1358507
Activity
Divide in to 4 groups: elementary, middle school, high school, and graduate students
Chose a person to scribe and one person to report
Create a peer helper program using the information describe in the presentation
Should include program start up, implementation, and maintenance
Include types of programs in your