Program Model

At the foundation of Teen PEP's success is a two-year program planning and implementation model, with the first year focused on preparing for implementation and the second year focused on effective implementation. The program model incorporates upfront planning and preparation prior to implementation, on-site consultation, stakeholders development, intensive training for program advisors, an evidenced-based curriculum, and support during program implementation.

The program model also includes Teen PEP´s core program elements, which are the defining features of the program and those that ensure its success and effectiveness. Teen PEP´s eight core program elements are:

• Stakeholder Team- a group of individuals responsible for ensuring that the program is successful, has the resources it needs, is built into the infrastructure of the school or organization, and is sustained
• Program Advisors- at least two advisors participate in comprehensive training and co-facilitate the Teen PEP sexuality education and leadership course with peer educators and prepare them to conduct outreach workshops
• Teen PEP Course & Curriculum- class that meets daily (or equivalent) using the structured 16-unit, evidence-based Teen PEP Course Curriculum and the Teen PEP Outreach Workshops. Click on Teen PEP Curriculum for a complete description.
• Peer Educators- diverse group of 15-20 junior and/or senior students who are enrolled in the Teen PEP course and conduct outreach workshops with younger students and parents
• Outreach Workshop Group- a targeted group of students (freshmen and/or sophomores) who participate in at least five workshops from the Teen PEP Outreach Workshops
• Family Night Event- a workshop from the Teen PEP Outreach Workshop handbook that is facilitated by peer educators and provides parents with an opportunity to dialogue with teens about sexual health issues
• On-site Technical Assistance and Consultation- Teen PEP staff provide on-going support and consultation to stakeholder teams and faculty advisors throughout planning for and implementing Teen PEP
• Program Monitoring and Evaluation- focuses on assessing the quality of program implementation and measuring the reach and impact of Teen PEP.

The following provides a detailed description of the two year program model:

Year One: Planning and Preparing for Program Implementation

Year Two: Effective Program Implementation

Year One: Planning and Preparing for Program Implementation

The first year of the program model, or "Planning Year," lays the foundation for the program and supports the institutionalization of Teen PEP. For schools, the Planning Year generally begins in September following a school's acceptance into the network. During this year, much emphasis is placed on developing a team of takeholders comprised of individuals within the school and community who are committed to the success of the program. Stakeholders work together to secure the necessary approvals, incorporate the Teen PEP course into the school day, anticipate and problem-solve obstacles, and select and support the two to three individuals who will comprise the faculty advisor team and train Teen PEP peer educators.

During this year, program advisors participate in a total of six days of intensive training to prepare them to team-teach the Teen PEP course and to identify and recruit a representative group of peer educators to enroll in the course.

Services Provided to Sites

During this initial year, the Teen PEP team provides the following services to Teen PEP sites:

• Training for stakeholder team members
• Facilitating initial stakeholder team planning meeting(s)
• Offering recommendations and resources to plan for program implementation and recruit and select student peer educators
• Providing effective comprehensive sexual health education curricula
• Training program advisors to effectively implement Teen PEP
• Program monitoring and evaluation
• On-going consultation and technical assistance

Year Two: Effective Program Implementation

During the second program year, or "First Implementation Year," selected peer educators are enrolled in the Teen PEP course. The First Implementation Year generally begins the September following the Planning Year. The Teen PEP course meets daily (or the equivalent) throughout the school year and is team-taught by program advisors who use the structured 16-unit Teen PEP Course Curriculum. Peer educators earn credit toward their graduation requirements and conduct a series of structured outreach workshops with younger peers. In addition, peer educators conduct workshops with parents, school educators, and other groups in and outside of regular school hours.

Services Provided to Sites

During the first implementation year, the Teen PEP team provides the following services to Teen PEP sites:

• Conducting classroom observations and providing written feedback
• Administering student surveys to assess advisors' use of facilitation techniques/skills
• Providing training experiences that foster information sharing across new and veteran program sites
• Program monitoring and evaluation
• On-going consultation and technical assistance

Year Three and Beyond: Continued Implementation

The ultimate goal of the two-year program model is to create a solid foundation which will ensure that Teen PEP is a sustainable program. During the first two years, sites are provided with tailored training and resources that build the capacity of stakeholders to continue implementing Teen PEP year after year. The Teen PEP team is committed to providing on-going training, consultation, and program evaluation. Services beyond the program start-up period include:

• Providing training opportunities on advanced sexual health and program implementation topics
• Developing or redeveloping stakeholder teams, as needed
• Conducting classroom observations and providing written feedback, as needed
• Administering student surveys to assess advisors' use of key facilitation techniques/skills, as needed
• Program monitoring and evaluation
• On-going consultation and technical assistance