National Association of Peer Program Professionals

06/23/2025

The JAMS Foundation, the National Association of Peer Program Professionals (NAPPP), and the Online Peer Mediation Platform (OPMP) proudly announce the winners of the 2nd Annual International Online Peer Mediation Tournament held during the Spring 2025 season.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the following outstanding peer mediation programs whose students demonstrated exceptional communication, conflict resolution, and collaboration skills.

Kyrene Traditional Academy - Chandler, Arizona, USA

North Forsyth High School, Team Purple - Cu***ng, Georgia, USA

Centre for Peer Mediation and Peace Building - Lagos, Nigeria

These teams stood out for their ability to mediate complex scenarios with empathy, neutrality, and professionalism. They competed in multiple rounds judged by seasonal conflict resolution professionals and educators, showcasing the global power and potential of peer-to-peer problem-solving.

This international tournament brought together schools from across the globe to promote youth leadership, restorative practices, and peace education. The event featured three rounds of scenario-based mediation challenges, all hosted virtually, offering students the opportunity to connect across cultures and time zones.

"We are inspired by the skill, maturity, and heart these students brought to the table," said Dr. Judith Tindall, President of NAPPP. "Their success reflects the strength of their peer programs and the guidance of the dedicated educators and coordinators who support them."

Each winning team will receive certificates of recognition, a digital badge for their school, and will be featured in an upcoming OPMP spotlight series. A follow-up communication will include details on prize distribution and a downloadable press kit for schools to use in their local communities.

Congratulations once again to our champions in Arizona, Georgia, and Nigeria. You are leading the way in creating a more peaceful and empowered generation!

For more information about OPMP and future tournaments, visits

Since the 1980s, peer mediation has been a cornerstone of conflict resolution education in the United States. Research shows that as many as 25% of schools nationwide have implemented peer mediation programs, fostering collaboration and understanding among students. However, shifts in educational mo...

03/05/2025

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11Z3qN7ehouFRPbWVW7mfT6x4i3b9fizv/view?usp=sharing_eil_se_dm&ts=67c874bd

11/18/2024

10/14/2024

We received this from Bob & Susan Bowman, co-founders of YouthLight, Inc.

To NAPPP:

I wonder if you could help with an outreach effort that my daughter is trying to start at her school to help her students who were affected by storm Helene in North Carolina. Our daughter, April Groff, who teaches middle school at Hendersonville, NC has not seen her students since the storm hit and there are about 300 families the school has not heard any response from. She is collecting notes of encouragement from students across the country and the world to post on a wall at their school for students to see when they do return to school. If you know any middle school peer helpers who can write notes of encouragement, please email them as an attachment in a word document. She can then print them out and add them to the school's encouragement wall. It would be great for the students, who have all been affected in some way to see these notes of encouragement upon their return to school. Her school is Hendersonville Middle School. Her email is: [email protected].

The teachers and staff have returned to school and are trying to prepare themselves for how to best help their students process the trauma they have experienced. Many communities were destroyed by Helene. Thank you for any assistance you can provide to help with this effort. Feel free to share this with others.

Thank you.

08/01/2024

NAPPP-Lindenwood University offers graduate credit for the NAPPP/OPMP online and in person training. Azam Nathaniel, Program Manager, K-12 Professional and Continuing Education. 636.949.4612 [email protected]

08/01/2024

Paula Schaaf, NAPPP Certified Trainer/Consultant, CPPE, Professional Development Committee, Trauma Counselor (left) and Cynthia Morton, Ed.D., NAPPP BOD, CPPE, Certified Trainer/Consultant, OPMP Chairperson (right) at the NAPPP exhibitor booth.

08/01/2024

The American School Counselors Association held it's National Conference at the KC Convention Center in Kansas City, MO from July 13 to July 16 at

08/01/2024

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PEER PROGRAM PROFESSIONALS TRAINING INSTITUTE - 2 days

DATE: Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26
TIME: Friday 4:30-8:30, Saturday 9:00-5:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Matti Rhodes Center Northeast 148 N. Topping Ave. Kansas City, MO 64123, 816-241-3780

ESTABLISH A PEER HELPING PROGRAM :

Two Days - 16 contact hours

This dynamic training is for all BEGINNERS in peer-helping program development. Learn about program start-up, program implementation, and program maintenance. Learn how to apply NAPPP Standards and Ethics. Peer helping programs can include one-on-one helping (Natural Helpers Program), mentoring, mediation (Peer Mediation), tutoring, and leadership. This training is designed to help the adult professional learn the basic steps in developing any peer-led program. Bring your ideas and creativity. This is a process-based training, and every participant will be involved. It's most effective when training takes place with a team. Focus will be on identifying local needs, evaluating of peer programs. Each participant will be eligible to apply for their Certified Peer Program Educator certificate at the end of the training.

The Adult Peer Resource Team Training will focus on the following:
• Identifying needs in building/community (Ex. Low academics, conflict, not feeling connected)
• Logistics of training and Learning Styles (credit, club etc.) Time will be spent on the evaluation of student learning
• Participants will learn highlights for either the Peer Listening (Natural Helpers) or (Peer Mediation) during part of the training.
• Know National Programmatic Standards and Ethics around peer resource programs
• How to coordinate with other peer leadership programs
• Selection of the peer leaders (Natural Helpers), helpers, mediators (Peer Mediators), tutors etc.
• Utilization of peer resources (Short and long term)
• Understanding the rationale for peer programs
• How to organize your program
• Roles of team members
• Evaluation model of peer programs
• Public Relations
• Plan of Action
The team training will involve some lecture, small group work, and role playing.
Materials will be provided.

Participants will receive:
• One year membership in the National Associations of Peer Program Professionals;
• Monthly newsletters from Sept. to May, Constant Contact, Social Medial contact
• Certified Peer Program Educator (CPPE) designation-Can apply for $35 initial fee. Renewal fee of $20 after one year;
• NAPPP Certificate of Attendance with hours
• Optional Graduate credit available through Lindenwood University. Must apply directly to Lindenwood University. $75 per graduate hour (2). To apply, contact Azam Nathaniel, Program Manager, K-12 Professional and Continuing Education. 636-949-4612/ [email protected]. Refer to EW 51674- NAPPP: Establish a Peer Program-2 credit
• If the organization/school has had a program for over a year, can apply for the NAPPP Certified Peer Program designation.
FEE: $600 per person - single participant
$500 per person if 5 or more from same organization
FACILITATORS:
Paula Schaaf, CPPE, NAPPP Trainer/Consultant, Professional Development Committee
Dodi Haug, CPPE, NAPPP Trainer/Consultant, Trainer of “National Helpers of South Dakota”.
Marilyn Bader, CPPE, NAPPP Trainer/Consultant, Professional Development Committee
Judy Tindall, Ph.D. CPPE, NAPPP Trainer/Consultant, NAPPP President and BOD, Author, Trainer/Consultant

LINDENWOOD UNIVERSITY GRADUATE CREDIT AVAILABLE FOR EXTRA FEE:
EW51674- NAPPP: Establish a Peer Program - 2 credit hours
Registration Form

REGISTRATION DEADLINE October 19, 2024
One form per person

*Registration fees: 2 days: $600 for single person
$500 for 5 or more from same organization
_____NAPPP Establish A Peer Helping Program
Payment Method
 Payment Enclosed (please make check payable to NAPPP)
 Please Invoice (Purchase Order Enclosed)
 Please charge my:  Visa  MasterCard  Other

Card Number: ________________________________________
Expiration Date: _________ CVV _____
Name on Card: _________________________________________________
Signature: ________________________________________
School/Organization: _____________________________
Mailing Address: ____________________________
City: ______________________
State: _______ Zip: _______
Phone: _________________________
Email: _______________________________________

Please make check payable to NAPPP
58 Portwest Court
St. Charles, MO 63303
Toll-free phone/Fax: 888-691-1088

06/06/2024

The first online international peer mediation tournament was held March to May 2024 supported by Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services Inc (JAMS), the National Association of Peer Program Professionals, and a division of NAPPP, the Online Peer Mediation Platform (OPMP). The goal was to allow peer mediators practice their peer mediation skills in a friendly competition with other students worldwide. Another goal was to encourage peer mediators to continue to grow their resolution skills which they showcased during the competition. Mediation is a peaceful, critical conflict management strategy that trained peers called conflict mediators use to help youth resolve conflicts.

High school and middle school conflict management teams received coaching from adults skilled in mediation techniques. Experienced professionals in the peer mediation field served as tournament judges. Teams were judged based on the demonstration of their skills in following the mediation process and their ability to have disputants reach a mutually agreeable solution.

The winning High School Team was Rockdale Virtual Campus Peer Mediators and their coordinators Cynthia Morton, Monica Seeley, Vanessa Burch, and Kindra Latimore. Their mediation team has been in existence since 2008. Their trained mediators have conducted around 50 mediations since 2008 at 4 high schools. The 2023-2024 high school mediators consisted of Juniors and Seniors who have been in the Rockdale Virtual Campus Peer Facilitation program for two years. All the students put in countless hours of practice to prepare for the tournament.

The winning Middle School Team was KIPP Inspire Academy and their coach and mediation trainer Kristin Watt. Their mediation team has been in existence since 2023-2024. Their trained mediators conduct around 10 mediations per year for fellow students at KIPP Inspire Academy. This was the first year their school had a peer mediation program which received training from Conflict Resolution Center, St. Louis MO. The students worked very hard throughout the course of the tournament to prepare each case and used a lot of teamwork in helping each other in their roles. The whole team is entering high school in the fall.

The winning teams received recognition on the JAMS Foundation, OPMP, and NAPPP websites. The winning team and their adult coordinator received certificates and other prizes. The winning team received recognition cords to be worn when they graduate. The schools received a JAMS/OPMP/NAPPP Tournament Champions banner for display.

JAMS/OPMP/NAPPP applauds all the tournament participants and plans to conduct an expanded tournament in 2025 with returning and new teams.

01/11/2024

Dear Peer Mediation Coordinator:

We would like to invite you and your team to compete in the JAMS sponsored, National Association of Peer Program Professionals & Online Peer Mediation Platform’s 2024 Peer Mediation Tournament!

The virtual tournament will be held between March and May 2024 and will provide a unique way for middle and high school peer mediators to practice and hone their mediation skills. Each peer mediation team will role-play a 45 minute mediation problem drafted by experienced mediators. Each team will be provided with a coach to hone their skills, and a judge who will evaluate them using a point system. There are lots of prizes, including cash, trophies, gifts, and national recognition for participants and winners.

Registration is now open and closes on January 30th. The cost for each team is $40.00 (and scholarships are available). School peer mediation coordinators who register for the tournament will attend a mandatory virtual orientation in February to learn about the tournament rules and procedures.

Please consider joining us and acquainting your peer mediation team with the larger mediation community!

Wanted: Coaches and Judges for our Peer Mediation Tournament!

Are you an adult with mediation experience? Do you enjoy working with students? Please consider becoming a peer mediation coach for a school peer mediation team or judging in the 1st Peer Mediation Online Tournament. We need your help!

The virtual tournament will be held between March and May 2024 and will provide a unique way for middle and high school peer mediators to practice and hone their mediation skills. Each peer mediation team will role-play a 45 minute mediation problem drafted by experienced mediators. Each team will be provided with a coach to hone their skills, and a judge who will evaluate them using a point system. There are lots of prizes, including cash, trophies, gifts, and national recognition for participants and winners.

All volunteers will attend a mandatory orientation in February to
cover tournament information and responsibilities. Coaches and judges will receive a stipend.

We are also looking for middle and high school peer mediation teams to participate.

Thank you for being part of our mediation community and for helping support the peacemaking efforts of school mediators!
Our work is needed now more than ever! Please feel free to email
us at [email protected] with any questions.

01/10/2024

NAPPP offers the following online trainings:

Establish a Peer Program for Professional Teams - 40 hours
Youth - Peer Mediation
NAPPP/OPMP Trainer
Trauma - Informed Peer Mediation Training
Coaching

YOUTH - In-person training:

Middle and High School Peer Program Curricula for a $150.00 Users fee for each curriculum. The following curricula follow the NAPPP Programmatic Standards and Ethics:

Peer Helping (Peer Helper, Peer Leaders, Peer Mentors) - Core Curriculum
Peer Mediation (Peer Mediator)
Peer Transitions (Peer Ambassador and/or Peer Mentors)
Peer Education (Career Development Mentors)
Peer Tutoring (Peer Tutor)

Adult Professional In-person training:

Establish a Peer Program: Team Training
Writing Effective Grant Proposals
Peer Mediation Training
Become a Trainer of Peer Helpers
Enhancing Peer Programs
Evaluation for Success in Peer Resource Programs
Youth Highway Traffic Safety Program
Bicycle Safety - Elementary and College
Critical Incident Stress Management Training for Peer Helpers
Peer Educators: Bullying and Su***de Prevention and Intervention
Trauma Informed Peer Mediation
Natural Helpers Model, South Dakota