Welcome to Penn State

Welcome to HealthWorks

 divider line

Forms On-Line:

 About HealthWorks:

 What is HealthWorks?

HealthWorks is a peer education outreach program dedicated to serving the Penn State community. We educate the community about various health issues through activities such as facilitating workshops, sponsoring University-wide outreach events, and advocating for health related issues within the University community.

What is the HealthWorks Mission?

To provide Penn State students with innovative, inclusive, and meaningful opportunities to foster healthy behaviors among Penn State students. We accomplish this through a number of peer education activities that enhance awareness of health issues, build caring and respectful relationships, and encourage critical analyses of personal and community attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors.

What Content Areas Are We Concerned With?

  1. Sexual Health: Sexual Health educators help students make informed decisions about their sexual health. Workshops address contraception, safer sex, sexually transmitted infections, and communication skills.
  2. Wellness: Wellness educators assist students by providing them with a variety of self-care health strategies. Educators are also trained in blood pressure measurement and hold free blood pressure screenings at different places on campus. Educators also operate a cold care center to help students treat cold and flu symptoms.
  3. Nutrition: Nutrition educators increase students’ understanding of the role nutrition plays in wellness. Educators conduct workshops on a variety of topics including "Dining Hall Meals" and "Dangerous Dieting". Outreach activities include the promotion of National Nutrition Month and National Eating Disorders Week.
  4. Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (ATOD): Educators increase students’ understanding of the impact that alcohol and other drugs may have on their lives. Educators sponsor special alcohol and drug prevention activities such as The Great American Smokeout.

join HealthWorks!

Are There Other Activities That I Can Participate In?

In addition to identifying a content area, you will also be involved with a team that participates in various activities.

    1. Workshop Team: This team creates and revises the workshops to make them more successful and fun.
    2. Outreach Team: This team plans, implements, and evaluates special events such as The Great American Smokeout and World AIDS Day.
    3. Theater Team: This team creates and produces theater experiences on a variety of health issues.
    4. Training Team: Experienced educators have the opportunity to work with new educators. They help develop the content of the training class and assist in the process of becoming dedicated and successful peer educators.
    5. Recruitment Team: This team continues to recruit dedicated and qualified students to become peer educators through various activities such as the Volunteer Fair and HealthWorks Information Sessions.
    6. Advocacy Team: This team examines the healthy and unhealthy messages communicated to the public by the government and media and recommends an appropriate response.
    7. Office Managers: The office managers oversee all paperwork in the office and keeps the office running smoothly.

What Training Will I Receive?

You will definitely be getting trained. Training classes occur only during the Fall semester. It consists of two mandatory classes - one small class in your specific content area and one large class with all new peer educators. The large class is interactive and will explore and discuss personal and social health concerns for college students and our community.

graphic of clock

Does HealthWorks Take Up Much Time?

Your time commitment will average 3-5 hours a week. The basic requirements of each peer educator is:

Participation on one team per semester.
Attend weekly team meetings.
Serve one office hour per week.
Attend one large group meeting per month.
Staff information tables during a campus wide event.

Do I Get Academic Credit For Being An Educator?

Yes, you do get academic credit! You will get 3 credits for training in the Fall semester. Each semester following training, you will get 1 credit.

Are There Leadership Opportunities Available?

There are many great leadership opportunities to meet your area of interest and skill after you have completed your training semester:

  • Become a Team Leader
  • Manage the Library
  • Serve as a Trainer
  • Serve as a Coordinator

 What Are the Benefits of Joining HealthWorks?

I’m Interested. How Can I Join? join now!

 

 

Just click on the graphic to the left to either print off our application or complete it on-line! You can also stop by our office in Room 19 Ritenour or call us at 863-2500.

  Visit University Health Services

Visit Student Affairs

Visit Penn State

This publication is available in alternative media on request.

Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.

U. Ed. STA 99-018

dTp 0156/99

6/14/00