What role do school counselors play in peer-helper training and supervision?

School counselors play a critical role in the training and supervision of peer helpers within the educational setting. They are equipped with the professional knowledge and ethical standards necessary to ensure that peer helpers are trained effectively to support their peers while maintaining a safe and constructive environment. This responsibility involves developing training programs that encourage active listening, empathy, and conflict resolution skills among peer helpers.

Moreover, school counselors are tasked with providing ongoing supervision to ensure that peer helpers operate within the ethical guidelines established by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). This supervision helps to safeguard the welfare of students and reinforces best practices in peer support programs. By being ultimately responsible for both training and supervision, school counselors ensure that peer helpers are not only well-prepared but also supported in their roles, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of the program.

The other options do not accurately reflect the responsibilities of school counselors in this area. For instance, stating that they have no role contradicts the ASCA ethical standards, which emphasize the importance of counselors in facilitating such programs. Likewise, indicating that they only supervise without providing training overlooks the holistic nature of the counselor's role in development and support. Lastly, suggesting that counselors delegate all responsibilities to teachers fails to recognize that peer-helper training is a specialized function that