Individuals Sought to Become Peer Leaders for "Take Control of Your Health" Workshop

Register by Friday, Aug. 23

Somerville –The Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services is seeking individuals who will volunteer their time to become certified facilitators of an educational workshop series, titled “Take Control of Your Health,” which has been proven to help people manage their long-term health problems.  The free peer leader training will start Thursday, Sept. 12. 

To obtain certification, peer leaders must complete a four-day training program that will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Somerset County Human Services Building, located at 27 Warren St.  Lunch will be provided.  Peer leader training will take place Thursday,
Sept 12; Friday, Sept. 13; Thursday, Sept. 19 and Friday, Sept. 20. Registration is required by Friday, Aug. 23.  Call (908) 704-6339.

Organizations that are interested in hosting “Take Control of Your Health” workshops are asked to send representatives to the peer leader training sessions.

“Take Control of Your Health” is a six-week educational workshop for adults and caregivers with one or more long-term health conditions. Over 80 percent of older Americans have a long term health condition. Participants learn how to manage pain and fatigue, eat healthy, exercise safely, feel better, become more independent and get more out of life.

Two certified peer leaders will facilitate the sessions, which are two and a half hours each.  The county Office on Aging and Disability Services will pair certified leaders, as needed, to conduct the workshop.

The evidence-based program, developed by the Stanford Center for Research, provides knowledge and skills to help individuals take a more active role in their health. The course is interactive and provides the tools needed to work with physicians and health care teams.  It also will help with setting weekly goals for behavior change and problem-solving. 

For more information, contact Health Promotion Specialist Caitlin Witucki, Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services, at (908) 704-6346 or witucki@co.somerset.nj.us.