Becoming a Prevention & Wellness Peer Educator

What you need to know

  1. Program Information & Application Process: Recruitment for the Peer Health Educator Program begins in January and runs through the first week of February. The selection of new Peer Health Educators will be completed in time for spring registration. Information sessions provide an overview of the program including level of commitment and expectations of students who are chosen to be PWS Peer Health Educators.
  2. The Application: You can download the application here.
    1. Type the application. Be concise and professional. There is no interview.  Please use your application to let us know who you are.
    2. Submit your application by Friday, February 8, at 5:00 PM in Old Main 560. Call 650-2993 if you have any questions.
    3. Notification will be sent to you by Friday, February 22.
    4. If accepted into program, register for HLED 250. Registration for Spring Quarter begins on February 25.
  3. Overall Program Requirements – should you be selected:
    1. REQUIRED: Spring 2013,Health Education 250: 4 credits with discussion section (S/U grading).
    2. REQUIRED: Fall Intensive Training: September 16-20, 2013.
    3. REQUIRED: 2013-2014: Volunteer 4 to 5 hours per week in the Peer Health Educator Program for a minimum of one academic year.
    4. REQUIRED: Maintain a GPA of 2.5 or above. [We are not looking for only “A” students.  We want to ensure you are succeeding academically and have adequate time to focus on your course work.]
  4. The spring Foundation Training course - Health Education 250 (HLED 250)
    1. Day, time & location: Tuesday and Thursday   2:00-3:20 PM;   BH 109
    2. Goal: To empower students to enhance their own health and the health of Western’s Community by mastering and personally applying the theories and strategies presented in this course.
    3. Class requirements:  •weekly discussion group (1 hour per week, to be arranged first week of class); •one 6 to 8-hour arranged community service experience; •2 reflection writing assignments; •a one time meeting with a PWS staff member; •quarter-long group project with writing components culminating in an interactive event in Red Square and brief group presentation in-class for the final; and •completion of topic specialty application – includes completion of prerequisites for each of your top 3 areas of your choice. [Prerequisites may include attendance of a program or workshop presented by current Peer Health Educators and/or attending an interview.]
    4. Text: Reader for class will be available at the AS Bookstore.
  5. Attend Fall Topic Specialty Training: 
    1. Dates: Monday, September 16 through Friday, September 20, 2013 (school begins September 25)
    2. Process & Outcomes: Small and large group training providing team building, communication and facilitation skills, in-depth knowledge of content in topic specialty.
  6. Current opportunities for service in the Peer Health Educator Program: [selection made in HLED 250]
    • Alcohol and Other Drug Risk Reduction                
    • Body Empowerment (nutrition, stress, activity, sleep & general health)                                                
    • Resiliency (positive mental health, stigma reduction of asking for help)
    • Sexual Health Education             
    • Violence Prevention:
      • Women’s Empowerment and Violence Education
      • Masculinity Outreach & Violence Education

Benefits from the Peer Health Educator Program:

Short Term

  • Increased knowledge and skills to enhance personal and community health and safety
  • Practical work experience
  • Leadership opportunities
  • Expanded support system
  • A community of people with similar interests; friends
  • Hands on experience in your topic group
  • A “place” you belong at Western
  • Opportunity to apply classroom learning to real life

Students say:

  • The class is amazing, you learn so much about your peers, yourself, and so many interesting topics.
  • The other people in the program are incredible and you get to be part of a really great community.
  • You get to contribute to the health and wellness of Western which is very rewarding.
  • It's one of the most worthwhile ways to spend your time. And honestly, while there's a high level of responsibility it's not that hard and so much fun.

Long Term

  • Commitment to community health and social justice for all people
  • Informed health consumer who is able to assist family, friends, colleagues, employees and students with understanding health information
  • Concrete portfolio of experiences for work and graduate school applications
  • Future network of friends
  • Increased understanding of connection between personal health, social justice and the health of the community
  • Increased leadership skills

Students say:

  • The training you receive will stay with you your whole life, even if you don't work with that subject matter again. The fact that you know about resources, how to seek them out, how to utilize them, and how to refer others so they can receive the help they need is something that will be valuable in whatever you do with your life.
  • The core staff members are a group of amazing people and the nature of the program allows you to develop meaningful relationships with them and they can serve as excellent references for you.
  • Looks great on your resume!

 

Page Updated 02.06.2013