PEP
The Parent
Educator Program
The Parent Educator
Program (PEP), a project of the Center for Human
Development in Pleasant Hill, seeks to give children the
knowledge and tools they need to resist peer pressure,
settle disputes, understand advertising, resist drugs,
alcohol, and tobacco. Our philosophy is a “no use”
message for children.
The PEP program is a
part of the K-6 classroom education of several Castro
Valley elementary schools. It is conducted entirely by
parents who have been trained by the CHD.
“I have been
a part of PEP at Proctor School for three years, and it
has been a very rewarding experience,” says Jane Peluso.
“I can see the positive results, and the feedback from
the parents is wonderful.”
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Parent volunteers are trained in a process which enables
them to co-facilitate an interactive curriculum that
promotes responsible decision making, resistance skills,
self-esteem, and positive peer interaction among
students.
HOW DOES PEP WORK IN THE CLASSROOM?
The
PEP program includes grade-specific classroom modules
for each topic. Topics include dealing with bullying,
resisting
peer pressure, settling disputes, understanding
advertising, and resisting drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.
Lessons are presented by trained parents during normal
class time for one hour each week.
WHAT DOES THE PARENT
TRAINING INVOLVE?
The
21-hour training is conducted by certified PEP trainers.
The course focuses on communication skills, group
development, effective teaching strategies, classroom
management, and basic tobacco, alcohol, and other drug
information.
"The training was a really great
experience, and equips a person to walk into the
classroom with the training and
confidence to facilitate fun, comprehensive and truly
effective lessons preparing our children to make good
decisions for themselves," said Ms. Peluso.
Experientially-based sessions are facilitated in the
same process that volunteers will use with the students.
In the San Francisco Bay Area, the course is conducted
over a period of 7 weeks or 3 full Saturdays. Training
outside the Bay Area are generally conducted over 3
consecutive days. All of the participants must attend
the entire training program to be certified to deliver
the PEP curriculum in the classroom.
WHAT IS THE NECESSARY
SCHOOL AND/OR COMMUNITY COMMITMENT?
The
school or PTA must secure funding to pay for the
training of the volunteers and the program fees.
Classroom teachers and administrators must be willing to
have facilitators teach 6 to 14 PEP lessons, depending
on grade level and curriculum selected.
Participating schools select one or two PEP facilitators
to volunteer as site coordinators and to serve as
liaisons among the PEP volunteers, the school, and CHD.
Each coordinator will receive an implementation manual,
training, and support.
WHO CAN VOLUNTEER?
We
welcome volunteers who want to make a difference in
their local schools and communities. Most PEP
facilitators are parents who present the curriculum in
their child's school. Previous teaching experience is
not a requirement. Volunteers should have good rapport
with children and a commitment to tobacco, alcohol, and
other drug prevention. Many volunteers are employed and
use release time from work to volunteers.
WHY PARENT EDUCATORS?
Parent Educators act as positive role models! Research
shows that ". . . it is more effective for well-trained
parents to teach drug education curricula in
kindergarten through grade six. . . than it is for
teachers or outside authorities to do so" (Not
Schools Alone, California Department of Education).
"One of the most
rewarding things about teaching PEP is the thank you
notes from the kids, thanking us for teaching them about
the effects of drug and alcohol abuse, and their
promises not to do drugs or smoke," said Ms. Peluso.
"PEP is a truly worthwhile program for our entire
community, and I feel privileged to be a part of it."
For more
information on the programs at the Center for Human
Development, visit their website:
http://www.chd-prevention.org/pep.htm
