Peer Leadership

Peer leadership development is a core strategy at CCA. We recruit and train youth as peer educators. They play a major role in delivering education and offering support to other young people. Peer educators are particularly effective communicators because they share the experiences and background of their audience. While the peer educators become positive role models and grow as leaders, their audiences learn from people they understand and trust.

Violence Prevention
CCA's Violence Prevention provides general education and peer educator training to 13-17 year old students at high risk of involvement in violence. Violence prevention education includes skill building in alternatives to violence to promote a change in attitudes and behavior. Violence Prevention incorporates many aspects from AVP (Alternatives to Violence Program) and HIPP is (Help Increase the Peace Program).

The program reaches students at alternative, middle and high schools, youth in detention facilities, the county correctional facility and those involved with community youth programs. Peer leadership training in violence prevention is provided through a 32-hour curriculum. Graduates receive a stipend for participation. Youth trained as peer educators deliver violence prevention education to their peers at a variety of community locations, as well as serving as co-trainers in CCA's peer educator training classes. All peer-led education is done under the supervision of staff. Peer educators receive a stipend for their work.

Health Education
CCA's Health Education Program serves youth considered at high risk for HIV/AIDS or who are infected or affected by the disease. Given that adolescent risk factors associated with HIV are closely related to poverty and lack of opportunity, these are serious issues for the Syracuse community, where almost 40% of the children live in poverty.
HIV/AIDS rates are highest among those youth who are truant from school, have substance abuse problems and/or are involved with the juvenile justice system. CCA targets students enrolled in District's Alternative Schools.

The program provides a variety of services to young people including prevention education, peer support, and social service referrals. These services start from an optimistic perspective that incorporates life skills and self-esteem building approaches. The curriculum incorporates communication and refusal skills, decision making, and goal setting. Parent and teacher/staff training is available and there is outreach to parents through written information, education and support groups. Health Education helps young people and their families establish and maintain a healthy quality of life and prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS.