ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a model designed to teach peer program professionals how to provide a rationale for training others in peer resource skills; training guidelines; and how to plan, implement, and evaluate effective peer programs. Peer programs are a major delivery system of systematic youth development, affective education, interactive teaching, development of life and resiliency skills, and asset building in youth and adult support programs. A peer program professional who is an effective communicator enhances chances of trainees functioning at high levels of effectiveness within a supportive environment. Even though the peer program professional may have had experience in counseling or teaching, this experience does not assure effectiveness in peer program teaching. A trainer must have a keen awareness of self and others in order to carry out an effective training and peer program. The training helps to establish the qualities of competence and integrity needed to develop capable and competent peer helpers.
