FAQs – ThriveWay LLC

"What is Peer Helpers PLUS?"

Peer Helpers PLUS is a proven, evidence-based program designed to empower students with the tools they need to overcome life’s challenges and thrive. By combining two powerful components—Peer Helpers and the comprehensive K-12 P.A.T.H. curriculum—along with a cloud-based portal and dedicated program coach, Peer Helpers PLUS equips schools with everything they need to foster emotional, social, behavioral, and academic success.

Through a selective application process, Peer Helpers are trained in essential skills like communication, empathy, conflict resolution, and referrals. These trained peers address critical issues such as bullying, substance abuse, peer pressure, and family struggles, helping to build resilience, improve coping strategies, and cultivate life skills that are crucial in preventing youth suicide and promoting long-term well-being.

ThriveWay’s Peer Helpers PLUS program does not highlight different group classifications; rather, it focuses on the fact that every person is navigating societal pressures, family dynamics, as well as health and wellness.

Hear directly from Dr. Angela Coleman - Davann Associates, LLC
"The Peer Helpers PLUS program is a comprehensive program that, at its foundation, teaches students how to be good to themselves and good to others."

Peer Helpers PLUS is a proven, evidence-based program designed to empower students with the tools they need to overcome life’s challenges and thrive. By combining two powerful components—Peer Helpers and the comprehensive K-12 P.A.T.H. curriculum—along with a cloud-based portal and dedicated program coach, Peer Helpers PLUS equips schools with everything they need to foster emotional, social, behavioral, and academic success.

Through a selective application process, Peer Helpers are trained in essential skills like communication, empathy, conflict resolution, and referrals. These trained peers address critical issues such as bullying, substance abuse, peer pressure, and family struggles, helping to build resilience, improve coping strategies, and cultivate life skills that are crucial in preventing youth suicide and promoting long-term well-being.

ThriveWay’s Peer Helpers PLUS program does not highlight different group classifications; rather, it focuses on the fact that every person is navigating societal pressures, family dynamics, as well as health and wellness.

Hear directly from Dr. Angela Coleman - Davann Associates, LLC
"The Peer Helpers PLUS program is a comprehensive program that, at its foundation, teaches students how to be good to themselves and good to others."

"What is included in the Peer Helpers PLUS program?"

Peer Helpers PLUS is driven by trained coordinators at each school—two adults who are carefully selected and equipped through a comprehensive, two-day training. The training sessions empower coordinators to lead the program with confidence, backed by a full suite of Implementation Tools, Skill Training Lessons, Resources, and a Prevention Curriculum designed to meet the needs of students at every grade level.

The cloud-based Peer Helpers PLUS portal keeps the curriculum relevant and up-to-date while empowering Peer Helpers to log support activities and generate real-time data. These data-driven insights enable coordinators to proactively identify and address the evolving needs and challenges of the entire student body. The curriculum is thoughtfully divided into two age-specific tracks: Primary (K-6) and Secondary (7-12), ensuring that resources are developmentally appropriate and focused on building resilience and critical life skills.

In addition, the dedicated program coach provides ongoing support throughout the year—offering continuous communication, fresh ideas, and motivating encouragement to help keep the program on track and maximize its impact.

The annual subscription is a flat fee per school, regardless of size or student enrollment—making Peer Helpers PLUS both flexible and scalable, with no limits on student participation. This ensures every school, big or small, can fully integrate the program and benefit from its resources.

Hear directly from Terrence Mixon - Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services, Denise Riemer - Lead Social Worker/Mental Health Services Coordinator, Tonya Berryhill - Counselor from the Mobile County Public School System as they highlight the “wealth of curriculum and training” included in Peer Helpers PLUS—and how adaptable the program is to meet the unique needs of each school & district.

Peer Helpers PLUS is driven by trained coordinators at each school—two adults who are carefully selected and equipped through a comprehensive, two-day training. The training sessions empower coordinators to lead the program with confidence, backed by a full suite of Implementation Tools, Skill Training Lessons, Resources, and a Prevention Curriculum designed to meet the needs of students at every grade level.

The cloud-based Peer Helpers PLUS portal keeps the curriculum relevant and up-to-date while empowering Peer Helpers to log support activities and generate real-time data. These data-driven insights enable coordinators to proactively identify and address the evolving needs and challenges of the entire student body. The curriculum is thoughtfully divided into two age-specific tracks: Primary (K-6) and Secondary (7-12), ensuring that resources are developmentally appropriate and focused on building resilience and critical life skills.

In addition, the dedicated program coach provides ongoing support throughout the year—offering continuous communication, fresh ideas, and motivating encouragement to help keep the program on track and maximize its impact.

The annual subscription is a flat fee per school, regardless of size or student enrollment—making Peer Helpers PLUS both flexible and scalable, with no limits on student participation. This ensures every school, big or small, can fully integrate the program and benefit from its resources.

Hear directly from Terrence Mixon - Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services, Denise Riemer - Lead Social Worker/Mental Health Services Coordinator, Tonya Berryhill - Counselor from the Mobile County Public School System as they highlight the “wealth of curriculum and training” included in Peer Helpers PLUS—and how adaptable the program is to meet the unique needs of each school & district.

"Do you need to be a mental health professional, such as a school counselor, social worker, or psychologist, to teach P.A.T.H. lessons?"

You do not need to be a mental health
professional. Our lessons are designed to be completely turnkey—fully scripted and ready to use—so any teacher, counselor, or trained peer helper on campus can easily teach P.A.T.H. lessons by simply following the provided lesson script.

Hear directly from Josh Winslett (St. Clair County Schools) - Mental Health Services Coordinator “When you get into the program’s portal, you will be able to see how everything is scripted and laid out for you to where you are not having to find out or learn how to do something new.. It is given to you”

You do not need to be a mental health
professional. Our lessons are designed to be completely turnkey—fully scripted and ready to use—so any teacher, counselor, or trained peer helper on campus can easily teach P.A.T.H. lessons by simply following the provided lesson script.

Hear directly from Josh Winslett (St. Clair County Schools) - Mental Health Services Coordinator “When you get into the program’s portal, you will be able to see how everything is scripted and laid out for you to where you are not having to find out or learn how to do something new.. It is given to you”

"Are the P.A.T.H. lessons aligned with key competency frameworks and accreditation standards?"

The P.A.T.H. curriculum is aligned with some aspects of recognized frameworks such as Health Education and Cognia Performance Standards (specifically Key Characteristic 1, Culture of Learning - Standard #3; Key Characteristic 2, Leadership of Learning – Standard #8; and Key Characteristic 4, Growth in Learning – Standards #24, #27, and #28), ensuring it meets the necessary criteria for both student development and accreditation with maximum effectiveness and efficiency.

Hear directly from Tisha Addison - Director of Student Services (Autauga County Schools) “We became involved in the Peer Helpers PLUS program because it meets all of the guidelines and mandates from the {Alabama} State Department {of Education} and we also needed a research-based program to implement district-wide.”

The P.A.T.H. curriculum is aligned with some aspects of recognized frameworks such as Health Education and Cognia Performance Standards (specifically Key Characteristic 1, Culture of Learning - Standard #3; Key Characteristic 2, Leadership of Learning – Standard #8; and Key Characteristic 4, Growth in Learning – Standards #24, #27, and #28), ensuring it meets the necessary criteria for both student development and accreditation with maximum effectiveness and efficiency.

Hear directly from Tisha Addison - Director of Student Services (Autauga County Schools) “We became involved in the Peer Helpers PLUS program because it meets all of the guidelines and mandates from the {Alabama} State Department {of Education} and we also needed a research-based program to implement district-wide.”

"Can I get the program components, P.A.T.H. and Peer Helpers, separately?"

The P.A.T.H. curriculum and Peer Helper components cannot be purchased separately, as both are essential to creating a truly impactful program. Together, they form a cohesive system that fosters a stronger, more supportive school environment—neither is as effective without the other. The P.A.T.H. curriculum equips students with critical knowledge and skills to stay healthy and safe, while Peer Helpers provide vital support, serve as positive role models, and build meaningful peer connections. Combined, P.A.T.H. and Peer Helpers empower students to thrive, creating a lasting, positive impact on both individuals and the broader school community.

Hear directly from Dr. Diana Virgil - 2024 National School Counselor of the Year (Daleville City Schools), as she discusses how P.A.T.H. and Peer Helpers have worked together to connect students and build structure in their school—filling in the missing piece of adult and peer interaction.

The P.A.T.H. curriculum and Peer Helper components cannot be purchased separately, as both are essential to creating a truly impactful program. Together, they form a cohesive system that fosters a stronger, more supportive school environment—neither is as effective without the other. The P.A.T.H. curriculum equips students with critical knowledge and skills to stay healthy and safe, while Peer Helpers provide vital support, serve as positive role models, and build meaningful peer connections. Combined, P.A.T.H. and Peer Helpers empower students to thrive, creating a lasting, positive impact on both individuals and the broader school community.

Hear directly from Dr. Diana Virgil - 2024 National School Counselor of the Year (Daleville City Schools), as she discusses how P.A.T.H. and Peer Helpers have worked together to connect students and build structure in their school—filling in the missing piece of adult and peer interaction.

"Why are in-person lessons more effective than web-based modules?"

In-person P.A.T.H. lessons foster deeper engagement and stronger connections among students, faculty, and peers, far surpassing the impact of web-based modules. Students can ask questions, receive instant feedback, and actively engage, making the lessons more meaningful and effective. These face-to-face interactions build trust, strengthen relationships, and lay the groundwork for long-term success. While technology has its place, nothing replaces the power of human connection. Trained Peer Helpers are ready to respond, offering support or connecting students with trusted adults when needed.

Hear directly from Sherry Rainbolt - Prevention and Support Supervisor(Baldwin County Schools) as she shares an example of how meaningful in-person interactions can shape students’ lives - both now and for the future.

In-person P.A.T.H. lessons foster deeper engagement and stronger connections among students, faculty, and peers, far surpassing the impact of web-based modules. Students can ask questions, receive instant feedback, and actively engage, making the lessons more meaningful and effective. These face-to-face interactions build trust, strengthen relationships, and lay the groundwork for long-term success. While technology has its place, nothing replaces the power of human connection. Trained Peer Helpers are ready to respond, offering support or connecting students with trusted adults when needed.

Hear directly from Sherry Rainbolt - Prevention and Support Supervisor(Baldwin County Schools) as she shares an example of how meaningful in-person interactions can shape students’ lives - both now and for the future.

"How many emails, calls, or meetings do I get with my designated support coach?"

The support from the program coach is unlimited and always accessible—just a text, phone call, or email away. Whether it’s guidance, suggestions, or hands-on assistance, the coach is there to support you every step of the way. The goal is to make implementation smooth, seamless, and hassle-free. Your success is their top priority, and they’re eager to partner with you in making a lasting impact on students' lives and shaping a positive school culture.

Hear directly from Dustin Roden - Student Services Supervisor (Jackson County Schools) “The support we get from them, you can’t beat it. They’re very responsive and take ownership of the process too. They provide all the resources and customer support that we need.”

The support from the program coach is unlimited and always accessible—just a text, phone call, or email away. Whether it’s guidance, suggestions, or hands-on assistance, the coach is there to support you every step of the way. The goal is to make implementation smooth, seamless, and hassle-free. Your success is their top priority, and they’re eager to partner with you in making a lasting impact on students' lives and shaping a positive school culture.

Hear directly from Dustin Roden - Student Services Supervisor (Jackson County Schools) “The support we get from them, you can’t beat it. They’re very responsive and take ownership of the process too. They provide all the resources and customer support that we need.”