Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS PEER HELPING?
Peer helping is a variety of supportive services initiated by peers in diverse settings. Often, peer helpers are young people, trained and supervised by professionals, who adhere to ethics and standards endorsed by helping professionals and NAPPP, formerly NAPP and NPHA. Peer helpers often become preventive agents who identify problems and encourage others to seek the necessary help from appropriate professionals. Peer helpers provide people with opportunities for learning, guidance, emotional support, and growth which translates to reduced drug and alcohol involvement, higher academic skills, reduced HIV/AIDS and unwanted pregnancy, reduced conflict, increased understanding of differences, and increased service to others. By helping others, peer helpers often increase their own self-esteem and personal functioning.

WHY BECOME A MEMBER?
As a member of the National Association of Peer Program Professionals, formerly National Association of Peer Programs and National Peer Helpers Association, a professional organization which is committed to excellence in peer programing, you will receive excellent services and benefits such as: networking, acquiring new information and resources as well as acquiring new skills; the Perspectives in Peer Programs-a journal filled with information on program ideas, materials review, state of the art program profiles and research, the NAPPP Programatic Standards and Ethics to develop, strengthen and enhance peer programs, access to "MEMBERS ONLY" areas of the web site, training and consultation from NAPPP Certified Trainers and Consultants, and eligibility to participate in the certification programs offered by NAPPP.

WHO JOINS NAPPP?
Members are individuals from all over the United States. A large percentage of the members are employed in educational settings from elementary schools through the college level. There are also members who work for local, state and national agencies, both public and private. The service delivery of Peer Programs is as varied as the membership. Peers are involved in Peer Mediation, Peer Ministry, Peer Education, Peer Counseling, Peer Mentoring, Peer Tutoring, Youth Development, Drop-out Prevention, Conflict Resolution, Substance Abuse Prevention and much, much more.

HOW CAN I JOIN NAPPP?
There are several ways to join NAPPP. You can apply for membership on-line with the "Join/Donate" link, paying for membership though PayPal. Some people prefer to send a check to the NAPPP offices. A few have employers who will pay for their membership through a purchase order. You can print out your application from the on-line form now, if that works better for you. Join NAPPP.

HOW DOES NAPPP FUNCTION AS AN ORGANIZATION?
There is a five Member Board of Directors. Board members elect their own officers: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Member-at-Large. The Board does not function alone. There are committees which consist of Board members as well as NAPPP members. The Committees report to the Board.

WHAT COMMITTEES ARE THERE?
There are currently five standing committees. The president can form new committees, as needed. Below is a brief summary of each of the standing committees:

Board Development Committee
This committee is responsible to: identify, recruit and nominate persons to be elected to the Board of Directors and to provide ongoing opportunities to enhance board membership and provide leadership training.

Development Committee
This committee actively seeks financial opportunities, including grants to further the work of NAPPP specifically as well as Peer Programs in general.

Finance Committee
The Finance Committee oversees the income and expenses of the organization and sets a yearly budget.

Membership Committee
The membership committee serves the NAPPP membership by assessing their needs and developing an action plan based on those needs. They also work on marketing the organization, by developing phamplets and other materials to promote NAPPP.

Professional Development
The Professional Development Committee oversees certification for people, programs, curriculum and trainers/consultants. Find out more about certification programs

HOW CAN I BECOME A MEMBER OF A COMMITTEE?
Any member of NAPPP can contact the NAPPP office by phone, e-mail (NAPPP@peerprogramprofessionals.org) or mail to express interest in joining a committee. The committee chair will be notified and the interested member will be contacted. The committee chair and the NAPPP president approve all appointments to committees.