In peer-helping programs, a professional counselor or teacher trains a group of students who then help other students by listening, providing information, and referring them to others with the necessary expertise. Peer helpers can help improve the school climate by contributing to its health and security. Since 1979, Seattle's Natural Helpers…

Describes a program of peer counseling that met with successful results, helping not only the counselees but the counselors as well. (HMV)

The author presents the following steps in providing a Student Helper Program: (1) interviewing teachers; (2) explaining the program and signing up helpers; (3) training the helpers; (4) interviewing younger students; (5) matching helpers and younger students; (6) compiling the master schedule; (7) scheduling reinforcement; and, (8) evaluating the…

The author gives a week-by-week account of his training program for peer facilitators. (HMV)

The author describes a peer group model program in an inner-city elementary school of 350 students. The purpose of the program was to systematically train fifth-grade pupils to serve as peer helpers, who would model facilitative communication skills and positive behaviors in counseling groups. (Author)

Peer-facilitator and/or peer counseling programs are having a real impact in schools. Guidelines provided in the article were found to have value in development and implementation of the program at Buchholy High School, Gainesville, Florida. More than 2,200 students, 120 teachers, 80 parents and nine administrators have been involved. (Author/MC)

A peer mentor program was created and implemented to reduce harassment and bullying at a Massachusetts elementary school. With the help of an adjoining district high school, the school counselors selected, trained, and supervised high school students to teach the younger children how to deal with harassment. The mentors were trained to understand…

This manual is intended to help professionals and non-professionals develop a peer support system involving older persons in the provision of comprehensive mental health services. The materials focus on: (1) program concept and objectives; (2) links between physical and mental health in the elderly; (3) recruitment and training of peer counselors;…

With a little money, some top students, and a well coordinated plan, Earlham College's career planning and placement office has one-to-one contact with all its underclass students. (Author)

This paper offers a synthesized review of the literature on student peer facilitator programs, in order to investigate and substantiate many of the ways in which peer facilitator programs extend and strengthen a guidance counselor's mission in the school. After an introductory discussion of the foundations and goals of successful peer facilitator…

Described is development and content of the Peer Counseling Program which trained 175 students to help other students with personal problems or situational stress in the Palo Alto (California) secondary schools. (Author/MC)

Children's stories, pajamas, robes, and stuffed animals provide the setting for "story hours," a very successful program in a residence hall setting, that has become a significant support group for students. "Story hours" also provides an ideal setting for exposing students to a variety of thought-providing ideas. (Author)

The Palo Alto Peer Counseling program, now finishing its third year of operation, is described. The first year was a pilot year in which the idea was tested and the beginning draft of a curriculum developed. The second year was a developmental year, in which the practicum groups were started as students who had taken the 12-week training the…

Georgia State's minority retention program provides academic and social support for black freshmen by referral to appropriate campus personnel or resources for assistance with academic, financial, personal, social, and career planning problems. It uses peer counseling, faculty mentors, nonacademic staff participation, and social events to…

This collection of 24 articles provides examples of innovative practices in professional development for part-time faculty. Included in the proceedings are the following: (1) "Identifying Professional Development Programs for Two-Year College Occupational/Technical Faculty" (James L. Hoerner and others); (2) "Part-Time Faculty, Full-Time…