Resources

Peer Advocacy in El Dorado County: Elevating Student Voice to Drive Change

Established in 2003, the El Dorado County Youth Commission has been the driving force behind launching Peer Advocacy (PA) programs in El Dorado County schools, sparking an initiative that empowers students to lead efforts addressing mental health, relationships, stress, and substance use prevention. By listening directly to student concerns and ideas, these programs have evolved into a vital support network across middle and high school campuses.

This session explores why Peer Advocacy was chosen as an initiative, how it has been implemented in diverse school settings, and the challenges encountered along the way. Presenters discuss how student voice guides program priorities, the range of services PA programs can provide—from one-on-one support to campus-wide wellness campaigns—and how these services are tailored to the needs students identify.

Participants also hear how the programs have been funded to date, along with strategies for ensuring their long-term sustainability.

Watch the session recording:

Speakers:

Tim Hooey is the Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator for El Dorado County Office of Education. Tim is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has spent most of his career working with middle school and high school students. He has been with EDCOE for 2 years and has helped lead the county-wide Peer Advocacy initiative.

Larry Bryant is the Peer Advocacy Teacher at Golden Sierra High School in El Dorado County. Larry has been in education for 27 years, teaching science and health at the high school level. He has worked with the Peer Advocate program for the last 15 years and has been the class advisor for the last 10 years.

Tim and Larry will be joined by Peer Advocates from Golden Sierra High School.