ABSTRACT
Systematic planning involves assessing needs, developing a plan that includes commitment to the program, and defining an organizational structure with effective training, supervision, and evaluation. Assessment strategy is interviewing students in order to determine the practicality of a peer helping program in a specific system. “Focus” groups are another form of doing needs assessments in schools, religious institutions, agencies, businesses, and industries. The peer program professional has the responsibility not only to conduct an initial needs assessment, but also to maintain an ongoing assessment to ensure that the peer program is meeting the needs and fulfilling its goals. An understanding of the philosophy underlying peer program models enables the peer program professional to realign priorities including an understanding of oneself as a “trainer” and an increased concern for the mental health and communication skills of large numbers of the people.
