Fayetteville State University Student Health Services Host Peer Training Sessions

Fayetteville State University (FSU) Student Health Services hosted a regional Peer Health Educator Training sponsored by the Division of Public Health, Women's Health Branch of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) in partnership with the Office of Minority Health Resource Center. FSU student leaders from the Wellness Ambassadors and My Sister's Keeper student organizations were among representatives recruited from seven regional institutions to attend the training.

Participants attended sessions throughout two days designed to educate them about important preconception health and wellness issues, build skills to assist in sharing their knowledge, and teach strategies to develop effective programs. Preconception health aims to educate individuals on how behaviors, lifestyles, and medical conditions may influence healthy lives and the health of babies. Participants were required to attend all sessions, successfully complete the certification exam, and develop a workplan to receive the certification. Session topics included: healthy relationships, health disparities, social determinates of health, healthy habits, life planning, reproductive health, the impact of tobacco, and STI prevention.

Letitia Johnson-Arnold, Medical and Health Program Consultant at Fayetteville State University, Student Health Services conducted a Peer Education 101 workshop to teach participants about the roles, responsibilities, and best practices of peer educators serving on campus and in the community. During the session, peer educators from each school presented on current wellness programs conducted on their campuses. The newly certified Peer Educators will return to their campuses and assist in developing and implementing programs designed to educate their peers. Johnson-Arnold will work with the PHE newly certified Peer Health Educators at FSU to incorporate the information into future wellness initiatives.