UHC Peer Programs
About the UHC Peer Programs
Peer Programs are experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate students at the University of Maryland. Peers specialize in different content areas and activities, but all are responsible for educating, serving, and improving the wellness of University of Maryland community members.
University Health Center Peer Programs include:
Campus Advocates Respond and Educate (CARE) to Stop Violence Peer Programs address power-based violence, such as sexual assault, relationship violence, sexual harassment, and stalking. CARE offers three Peer Programs:
- Peer Education
- Peer Advocacy
- Peer Outreach
CARE to Stop Violence
Applications for the 2023-2024 CARE Peer Programs (Advocacy, Education and Outreach) open January 30.
Current undergraduate students may apply. Applications accepted during the 2022-23 academic year are for admission to the program during the 2023-24 academic year. All three peer programs are year long, six credit courses.
Applications close March 5, 2023. If you have a preference for a program, please indicate your preference in the space provided on the application.
- For questions regarding Peer Advocacy, please email Christina Jay at cjay1@umd.edu.
- For questions regarding Peer Education, please email Laura Widener at lwidener@umd.edu.
- For questions regarding Peer Outreach, please email Grace Fansler Boudreau at gfansler@umd.edu.
Complete the application at: go.umd.edu/carepeerprogram
CARE Peer Education
With the University Health Center's CARE Peer Education Program, undergraduate students earn credit to educate the campus community about power-based violence and ways we can support survivors. Being a peer educator is a great opportunity to get hands-on experience working directly with students, improve your public speaking and program planning skills, and join a group of talented, creative, and dedicated students.
What do CARE Peer Educators do?
- Present and facilitate workshops about power-based violence and bystander intervention to the campus community.
- Execute the Clothesline Project.
- Research and examine education in various public health models and populations.
- Learn about identity, facilitation skills, and program planning in relation to power-based violence prevention.
Peer Educators are required to commit to enrolling in the corresponding courses for both the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 semesters and should expect to commit to an average of 3-5 hours each week (including class time).
CARE Peer Advocacy
The University Health Center's CARE Peer Advocates serve under the direction of the CARE to Stop Violence clinical staff. Peer Advocates work with clients of the CARE to Stop Violence office, which include primary and secondary victims/survivors of sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, and sexual harassment (power-based violence).
What do Peer Advocates do?
- Support clients by providing resources, crisis intervention and emotional support both in-person and after hours via the CARE crisis line.
- Arrange transportation for the client to receive a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE) at the hospital and arrange University Health Center medical appointments.
- Accompany clients to meetings with the Office of Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct (Title IX), the Police, the Office of Student Conduct, and other on-/off-campus reporting resources.
- Plan and execute a “Take Back the Night” event and participate in other campus events as requested.
Peer Advocates should expect to sign up for 12 office hours each week, with each shift being no less than 3 hours. The Peer Advocacy class takes place on Wednesdays from 4:30-6:00 PM.
CARE Peer Outreach
Outreach Peers serve under the direction of the Coordinator for Outreach and Assessment in the CARE to Stop Violence office. Outreach Peers are the voice of CARE and are ultimately responsible for ensuring the entire UMD campus community is aware of CARE and other resources for those that have been impacted by sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, or sexual harassment (power-based violence).
What do Outreach Peers do?
- Inform the campus community about CARE’s efforts to respond to and prevent sexual & relationship violence.
- Plan and execute large-scale events, create digital and tangible promotional materials, table to promote CARE, and facilitate presentations to student groups, such as CARE 101.
- Build relationships with student groups and campus organizations, conduct focus groups with students, and employ other research/assessment methods to improve CARE outreach and services.
- Examine policies and current events related to power-based violence in order to effectively respond to changing community needs.
Outreach Peers should expect to commit to an average of 3-5 hours each week (including class time). The Peer Outreach class takes place on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4-5 PM.