Peer Based Outreach Programs in Hollywood, CA (01:47)

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Many young people who come to the city end up living on the street in situations at high risk for HIV infection and other physical and psychological problems. Service providers now employ street youth to bring HIV education to their peers.

Bringing Peers on Board (02:31)

The first step for any peer outreach program is choosing the kind of peer workers best suited to carry out its goals.

Cultivating Responsibility (01:41)

Service providers commonly assume that the responsibility of being in a program is too much for high-risk youth to handle. In practice, peer educators often exceed reasonable expectations.

Training Peer Educators (02:42)

Beyond content, training should cover communication skills, boundary issues, and provide forums where peers can provide feedback on the training process itself, which should be executed in a relevant and paced manner.

Support for Peer Educators and Supervisors (02:57)

Because peer educators must leave behind their relationships and experiences from the street, it is imperative that peer programs help them adjust to these life changes through group activities, support groups, counseling, and informal conversation.

Honesty and Trust (01:02)

The tough background shared by many peer workers makes it a challenge for service providers to cultivate an atmosphere where trust, respect, and honesty are valued.

Promoting Ownership Among Peer Educators (01:53)

Fostering a sense of ownership among peer workers requires that providers recognize when youth are ready to take on more responsibility and relinquish control when that time arrives.

The Changing Role of Service Providers (02:04)

While keeping tabs on both the progress of each peer educator and the overall performance of a program, service providers must fulfill many roles in the workplace.

Planning and Flexibility in Program Development (01:19)

Flexibility is critical to peer program development. Some problems can be expected and planned for from the start but many things are impossible to anticipate requiring the agency to adapt quickly and provide resources to support changes.

Making a Difference (02:17)

Peer programs benefit both peer educators and street youth by giving street youth an opportunity to make a difference in their own lives and communities.