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    PEER LEADERSHIP (PAL) SYLLABUS 

    The PAL Peer Assistance Leadership Pro​​gram is a school-based, peer-to-peer youth development program for students in grades 4-12 built upon a philosophy of students helping students. The mission of the PAL program is to ​develop youth leaders who connect with their peers to create a caring, safe, and supportive school environment for all. 

    PAL peer leaders help build a positive school climate through youth leadership, mentoring, conflict resolution, cross-age teaching, peer helping, service learning, and prevention activities. The PAL program supports the development of 21st Century Skills in the areas of leadership, communication, team building, and problem solving. The program is implemented as a class, where students receive training in the PAL curriculum and plan campus outreach activities, and incorporated within the overall CHHS leadership program.

    The PAL program implements many of the researched-based activities that enhance youth engagement and connectedness to school and community, two of the most important protective factors for all types of high risk behaviors. The standards of practice for Peer Assistance Leadership Programs can be accessed HERE.

    COURSE AND CURRICULAR OVERVIEW:

    The foundation of course content comes from the Peer Assistance Leadership curricular program, as well as the Digital Citizenship program from #ICANHELP, and includes training in the following:

    1. Program Orientation 
      1. The Role of the Peer Helper
      2. Code of Ethics for Peer Helpers
      3. The Helping Spectrum/Leadership Through Strong Communication Skills
    2. Group Dynamics / Social and Collaborative Skills
      1. Establishing Norms
      2. Building Trust
      3. Productive Group Characteristics
      4. Developing Collaborative Systems
    3. Self-Awareness and Reflection
      1. Personal Growth and Discovery
      2. Developing Empathy
      3. Self-Assessment and Evaluation
    4. Understanding Behavior
      1. Influences on Our Behavior
      2. Causes of Misbehavior
      3. Defense Mechanisms
      4. Stages of Development
      5. Behavior in the “Real World”
    5. Communication, Listening, and Facilitation Skills
      1. Setting Tone
      2. Non-Verbal Communication
      3. Active Listening/Rogerian Listening
      4. Facilitative vs. Non-facilitative Responses
      5. Foundations of a Helping Relationship
    6. Decision Making and Problem Solving
      1. Strategies for Decision Making
      2. Factors Influencing Decisions
      3. Conflict Resolution/The Conflict Cycle
      4. Assessing Situations and Determining Risk
      5. Knowing When to Refer
    7. Special Topics
      1. Digital First Responder Training (Social Media)
      2. Substance Abuse Prevention
      3. Special Needs Populations
      4. Community Service-Learning/Project-Based Learning
      5. Referral Resources