A model to measure program integrity of peer-led health promotion programsin rural middle schools: Assessing the implementation of the sixth Grade Goals for Health program

The National Cancer Institute supports our research on the Goals for Health (GFH) program as a part of their priority to reduce cancer incidence. GFH consists of a 12-workshop Gth-grade program led by trained high-school lead ers and a 10-workshop 7th-grade program taught by health instructors. The G th-grade program occurs in small groups, and includes goal-setting activiti es, skits, videos, and healthy snacks. Challenges to program integrity are intensified due to the fact high-school volunteers implement the entire Gth -grade program. Strategies for optimizing program implementation of the pee r-led component of GFH are presented in light of their feasibility at 6 rur al middle schools in Virginia and New York. Modifications for future implem entation of the 6th-grade component of GFH are presented as well as implica tions for peer-led community-based prevention efforts.