HHS - Peer Helping

Social and Human Services Pathway

Peer Resources Program
Healdsburg High School

At Camp Rosenburg Healdsburg High School is a multi-racial, multi-lingual school of close to 1000 students in Sonoma County. The Peer Resources Program has been a vital, viable and rich resource to the school community since its inception in 1988. The program has received administrative and faculty support. The students provide a variety of services to their peers, themselves and the community. During past years close to 300 students have been trained as peer counselors at Healdsburg High. Initially, the program was called "Peer Counseling" and was later changed to "Peer Helping." Currently the name has changed to "Peer Resources" to better reflect the changing role of the program. We view teenagers as vital and valuable human resources to develop and utilize in our schools and community.

The program has three tiers of development and service opportunities for our students as well as a club that is open to all students not currently enrolled in any of the courses.

The first year is called "Peer Helping 1-2". This ten credit, year- long course is the foundation of the program. Peer Helping is open to 10th,, 11th, and 12th graders who have completed High School Survival Skills, a health and teen issues course required of all students for graduation from Healdsburg High School

Semester 1 covers skills in:
	Self Awareness and Discovery Communication Decision Making Group Process Counseling and Helping

Semester 2 deals with critical life issues as:
	Family Sexuality Death, Loss, and Recovery Stress, Depression, and Suicide Addictive Behaviors School and Community Problems, Gangs, and Violence

Students enrolled in this course provide low risk peer support as:
	New Student Orientation Peer Tutors Big Brother/Big Sister-We call it "Big Buddies" Peer Education in classes as well as whole student body via assemblies

The second year is called "Advanced Peer Helping" which provides classroom training, supervision and on the job training. Students have a caseload of individual students with whom they interact on a regular basis. They also service a "clientele" of "on site" students, as well as work with district elementary and middle school students. They serve as mentors for the Beginning Peer Helpers.

The content of this course consists of:
	Reinforcement of Peer Helping Skills Human Development Confidentiality and Ethical Issues Helping with School-Related Problems Counseling Students with Attendance Problems Interpersonal Relationships Crisis Intervention Dealing with Family Issues Dealing with Addictive Behaviors AIDS Education

Advanced students meet Monday nights from 7-9 PM and are scheduled in the Peer Support Office a minimum of three hours per week. They provide support and resources at the school to their peers in:

Drop-in Peer Support
One to One Peer Support
Crisis Intervention
Group Facilitation and Support Groups
Personal Support
Peer Education
Conflict Mediation
Cross-Age Support ( Big Buddies) at Elementary and Junior High

The third year program is called "Peer Counseling Aide". These students work independently in the Peer Support Office under the direction of a guidance counselor. They attend the Monday evening classes with the Advanced Peer Helpers. The Peer Counseling Aides are free to utilize the resources available to the guidance staff. This course is open to 12th graders who have completed Peer Helping 1-2 and Advanced Peer Helping or their equivalents. These students work independently in the guidance office under the direct supervision of a credentialed counselor and serve as mentors for the Advanced Peer Helpers.

Peer Counseling Aides receive on the job training supervised by clinicians and other professionals at:
	Mental Health Agencies Schools Social Service Agencies Hospitals Community Based Organizations

Peer Counseling Aides provide whatever is needed in the scope of their experience and education as it relates to Peer Programs.

Students will:
	Keep weekly journals, required documentation when working with "clients". Complete a research project or other project based on needs assessment Complete an average of two hours outside class work Honor:
		Contract of Responsibilities Code of Ethics Code of Conduct Confidentiality Agreement

More at Camp Rosenburg The Peer Resources Program serves a vital need for students at Healdsburg High. The Peer Support Office, located off the hallway between the Main Office and Counseling Offices provides support, information and a safe haven for teens to interact with their peers in a positive and non-judgmental environment which encourages personal growth and responsibility.

For more information contact:

Sylvia Todd
Teacher/Program Director
Healdsburg High School
1024 Prince Street
Healdsburg, CA 95448
(707) 524-4177 ex 40#

Note: Appreciation goes out to Michael Donnelly, Director, Peer Resources Program at San Gabriel High School for sharing his model program with others in the field.