Using Positive Peer Culture

July 14, 2014

Our featured guest today, Barry Blevins, the Executive Director of High Frontier, a private, co-ed residential treatment center located in west Texas, joined Lon Woodbury and his co-host Liz McGhee to discuss the subject of Positive Peer Culture (PPC) and how this method differs from the traditional peer pressure process.

"The term positive peer pressure implies a sense of over control. Staff at High Frontier play a unique role. How we use authority is very important. We are not authoritarian and the student's role is not to control. They are not trustees; they are helpers and the adults act as teachers to cultivate care and concern. The goal is to reverse the labels that have been put on the kids and to take a very active role in the student's social interest and concern. Behavioral rules become a distraction from the process and then a 'mask' of the behavior. We want to see the root of the problem."

Through PPC, the students are the ones to let the other students know the agreements, rather than from the staff. This alleviates the power struggle with authority. The students then feel they are doing this, rather than this being done to them, therefore they come away feeling better and empowered. To clarify the process, Lon described it: "The intervention is by the other peers and the adults are the facilitators rather than the primary actors."

Barry went on to explain, "PPC is hard to do; it is counterintuitive to what we know. But, it is so natural for us (staff members). We don't use rewards and consequences. Another positive aspect of PPC is that it breaks down a kids problems into common terms, rather than using clinical diagnosis terms."

There are 12 common terms that High Frontier uses so they have a common language to speak with each other. Low self-image, Inconsiderate to others, Inconsiderate to self, Misleading to others, Easily mislead, Easily angered, Aggravates others, Lying, Stealing, Drugs, Alcohol, Authority problems.

Liz, who is quite familiar with PPC as she worked for Mr. Blevins for a number of years, shared "There are a number of hallmarks that need to be in place in order to have a highly functioning PPC."

Barry agreed and shared, "It has to be clear that the students primary role is to help teach responsibility, care and concern, but not to control."

To listen to the full interview, go to Using Positive Peer Culture on LATalkRadio.
Also available in Podcast

Lon Woodbury is the owner/founder of Woodbury Reports, Inc. and www.strugglingteens.com. He has worked with families and struggling teens since 1984 and is the host of Parent Choices for Struggling Teens and The Woodbury Reports.

Elizabeth McGhee is the Director of Admissions and Referral Relations at Sandhill Child Development Center and has over 19 years' of clinical, consulting and referral relations experience to her position and is the co-host.

Barry Blevins is the Executive Director at High Frontier and has been with them for 27 years. He is a licensed child care administrator in the State of Texas and graduated from Sul Ross State University with a Masters of Public Administration.

If you know somebody (including yourself) who would make a good guest on our show and might be interested, contact Lon at lonwoodbury@gmail.com or 208-267-5550.

We are excited to announce that we have several openings for on-air sponsorship during The Woodbury Report shows on K4HD.com Tuesdays, and on our other radio show on Mondays, LATalkRadio.com Parent Choices for Struggling Teens. If you are interested in reserving some air time to promote your school, program or services, contact Kristie Campbell at kristie@woodbury.com or 208-267-5550.

Attention:

The following books are available on Amazon.com:

Part 1 - The Introduction to the Parent Empowerment Handbook
Part 2 - Single Sex Schools
Part 3 - Wilderness Therapy and Outdoor Education
Part 4 - Pre-Teens & Young Adults