A Peer Education Approach to Sexuality Education in Schools

Melissa BlakeMelissa Reagan

Princeton Center for Leadership Training

AAHE-AAHPERD National Conference

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Princeton Center for Leadership Training (PCLT)

Has served hundreds of schools since 1988 and our work touches tens of thousands of students, educators, and parents annually

Highly committed to implementing effective programs in partnership with communities that have large numbers of economically disadvantaged youth

Has the capacity to implement replicable and sustainable initiatives in multiple school settings at one time by: • Developing supportive stakeholder groups and

networks• Training effectively, comprehensively, and efficiently• Distributing innovative, easy-to-use, proven

curriculum• Providing individualized technical assistance

Presentation Overview

Benefits of Peer Education Considerations for Launching a

Successful Peer Education Program Lessons Learned from Teen PEP Teen PEP: A Video Presentation Reflections

Think/Pair/Share

In your opinion, what is the most pressing sexual health issue facing youth in your

community? What contributes to this?

A Peer-to-Peer Strategy

In what ways can peers play a role in helping to address some of the most pressing

sexual health concerns that we just identified?

Can have a positive impact on health outcomes for peer educators and the recipients of the peer education

Provides youth with an opportunity to be involved in a leadership role in their schools and communities

Peer educators may be more credible than adults Peer educators can help shift social and group

norms toward health promoting behavior Learning and attitudes are reinforced on an on-

going, informal basis Cost-effective; Increases the number of youth

that can be reached

Benefits of a Peer Education Approach

The Teen Prevention Education Program (Teen PEP) is a comprehensive, sexual health program that utilizes peer education to increase students´

knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behaviors associated with healthy decision-making.

A Peer Education Model

Classrooms

20–25 Peer Educators Enroll in Teen PEP Course & Conduct Workshops

2 Advisors Serve on the Stakeholder Team& Team-Teach Teen PEP Course

Schools

Community

Parents

Administrators

Guidance Counselors

Student Representative

Scheduler

Community Representative

Parent Representative

Health Teacher

Stakeholder Team Meets Regularly

Teen PEP StructureStakeholder Coordinator

Teen PEP: A Video Presentation

Lessons Learned from Teen PEP Obtaining support and buy-in from stakeholders prior to

program implementation is essential

The level of preparation and enthusiasm of the peer educators influences how the workshop participants perceive the credibility of the workshop messages

It is essential to model the training methods we want program advisors to use to effectively prepare peer educators to conduct the workshops

Providing program advisors with practice time during the training is critical

Program advisors benefit from on-going coaching and technical assistance

Creative invitation strategies and incentives are necessary to obtain parental involvement

Launching a Peer Education Program

Create a Stakeholder Team

Actively recruit stakeholders from diverse sectors of school and community

Involve stakeholders throughout planning and implementation process

Build in time for interaction and group development during stakeholder team meetings

Ensure Program Advisors are Well-Trained to…

Understand the program’s goals, theory, and program model.

Begin with the end in mind. Planning is essential!

Leave their “baggage” behind, particularly in regard to teen sexuality, abstinence, gender and sexual orientation, and birth control.

Be youth-centered: guide from the side, yet allow the youth to lead.

Provide Program Advisors with Ongoing Support

Remember that Stakeholder Team? This is where their continued involvement comes in.

Schedule training throughout the program, rather than just at the beginning.

Seek out and embrace opportunities to collaborate with other groups and events.

Ensure Peer Educators are Well-Trained to…

Provide factual, medically accurate information rather than personal opinion

Actively role-model healthy behaviors and serve as a positive example to students they serve

Find common ground and communicate effectively with diverse group and community members

Ensure Program Has Clear Purpose & Goals

Program should be targeting sexual health issues that are relevant for the community.

Program advisors and peer educators should be aware of the “big picture” of what their efforts are intended to impact.

Goals and objectives should drive the advisors’ and peer educators’ work.

Involve Parents Sexuality education begins at home, whether

intentionally or not.

Research shows that majority of both teens and parents/caregivers WANT TO communicate about sex, but don’t know how—your program can help.

Parents and other trusted adults can help reinforce healthy behaviors and remove barriers that keep teens from accessing healthcare.

Carefully Plan and Consider Logistics and Scheduling

School-based peer education programs involve many components working together, so advance planning will be essential.

Consider who will fill each of the roles, when and where the training and the program activities will occur, and how credit, incentives, and other compensation will fit in.

Utilize a Structured & Interactive Curriculum

Curriculum should be user-friendly and accessible to advisors with different levels of expertise in health issues.

Medical accuracy is a must! Curriculum should be reviewed and kept up-to-date with emerging technologies.

Peer educators should be able to interact with their participants to help them engage with the health content in meaningful ways.

Ensure Adequate Resources are Available

Find a funding source that will cover your costs for training, program materials, and incentives for youth participation.

Stakeholders can be strategically recruited or encouraged to lend their resources and/or expertise in particular areas.

Plan and communicate well in advance to secure space, food, transportation, copies, and other program essentials.

Obtain Ongoing Feedback & Evaluate Your Program

Evaluation can take many forms and serve many purposes.

Collect data before, during, and after the process; analyze and share your data to increase your program’s buy-in and sustainability.

Involve youth in evaluation efforts; their perspectives are important and their learning will be enhanced.

Reflections

What is something you’ve heard or thought about today that will stay with you?

Questions?

Melissa Blakemblake@princetonleadership.org

(609) 252-9300 x 136

Melissa Reaganmreagan@princetonleadership.org

(609) 252-9300 x 137

Thank you!

www.princetonleadership.org

www.teenpep.org