For more information about FASTNet, contact Michele Parga

Peer Advocates Link Students, Services Through FASTNet THEY COME FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS. Some have been in trouble with the law, others just want to make a difference in someone's life. Some want careers in the social services, while others have had drug problems or have been involved with gangs. But whatever their personal experience, all of them want to help. That's why this group of 18 Long Beach area high school students have been chosen to become peer advocates in the FASTNet program and will spend a few hours after school each day guiding their fellow students toward needed health and social services. "It's about teens helping other teens face their problems," said Maria Torres, a 17-year-old senior at Millikan High School in Long Beach, now in training to become a peer advocate and who is considering a career in the social services. "I think it's easier for us because adults tend to judge you beforehand. For us, we just listen, because a lot of time we've been there." FASTNet is an innovative system that provides a quick and easy way to foster the integration of health and social services at schools and among community service providers. Utilizing an innovative software package, schools and service providers are linked by computer to an electronic bulletin board and database that will foster the exchange of information about the needs of students and the availability of services. Services range from counseling for pregnant teens and straight talk about drugs and gangs, to referrals to clinics ready to provide counsel about sexually-transmitted diseases. After a four-day training in the use of the FASTNet software, the peer advocates will meet with students who need such referrals for a few hours each day after school, beginning in the fall. Using information provided by students and family members, peer advocates access FASTNet which conducts a computerized search of available services and matches student needs with appropriate services. Once service referrals have been made, care for students can be coordinated and followed up with the aide of a Client Tracking System that is part of the FASTNet software. Students are chosen to become peer advocates based on their interaction with other students and their understanding of health and psychological issues facing teens. Students are trained to interact with each other via role playing. While some advocates have first-hand experience with some of the social and health problems facing their peers, others do not but are good listeners. The greatest asset a student can bring to the job of peer advocate is an ability to listen and empathize with his or her peers, said Danny Flores, a peer advocate trainer. "Mostly, peers are used to make it easier for students to discuss their problems," he said. "Although [our] main job is to link their peers with needed social and health services, a limited amount of counseling is also done. That's what makes an advocate's ability to relate so critical." One such peer advocate is Darrius Garret, a 16-year-old junior from Wilson High School in Long Beach, who said that after having traveled down the rocky road of life, now wants to help others not make the same mistakes. "I've already been down the road, and a lot of what I've been into wasn't good," Darrius said. "I want to make sure others don't take that same road. I wish this type of program was around when I was in trouble." FASTNet is a project of Focus on Youth, a comprehensive educational support program developed by the Los Angeles Educational Partnership, that trains school personnel to identify children at risk, assess their needs, and link children and families with appropriate services. Five Long Beach area high schools including Long Beach Polytechnic, Millikan, Jordan, Wilson, and Reid are participating in the program. Long Beach area service agencies, including the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, are also participating in FASTNet. Five agencies have signed on to use the service, and an additional 15 agencies will join the FASTNet project in the fall of 1997. Funding is provided by a Community Challenge Grant. FASTNet is designed to strengthen the capacity of school staff to address the non-academic needs of their students which may inhibit student learning. Outreach and training efforts will continue during 1997 and 1998.