Developmental Assets www ourkidsnetwork ca 40 Developmental Assets

Developmental Assets www. ourkidsnetwork. ca

40 Developmental Assets Positive experiences, relationships, opportunities and personal qualities that young people need to grow up healthy, caring and responsible.

Based on research of the Search Institute in USA – www. search-institute. org Researchers cumulatively surveyed over 3 million 6 -12 th graders Identified 40 factors which are critical to positive child and youth development Youth with higher amount of assets have lower levels of risk behaviours

The Power of Assets to Promote Search Institute, 2011 0 -10 assets 11 -20 assets 21 -30 assets 31 -40 assets 91 86 84 77 73 69 63 58 52 51 45 38 29 31 20 8 Exhibits Leadership Maintains Good Health Values Diversity Succeeds in School

The Power of Assets to Protect Search Institute, 2011 0 -10 assets 11 -20 assets 21 -30 assets 31 -40 assets 60 44 41 34 34 23 21 19 14 11 9 4 2 Problem Alcohol Use Violence 6 1 Illicit Drug Use 3 Sexual Activity

Number of Assets: Source: Halton Youth Survey 2009/10

Number of Assets: Source: Halton Youth Survey 2009/10

Number of Assets: Source: Halton Youth Survey 2009/10

Number of Assets: Source: Halton Youth Survey 2009/10

Number of Assets: Source: Halton Youth Survey 2009/10 * “Physically active” is defined as 90 mins or more of activity, 5 or more days per week

Number of Assets: Source: Halton Youth Survey 2009/10

Number of Assets: Source: Halton Youth Survey 2009/10

Number of Assets: Source: Halton Youth Survey 2009/10

Gap in Assets Among Youth Search Institute, 2011 0 -10 assets 11 -20 assets 11% 21 -30 assets 31 -40 assets 13% 37% 39%

Assets are for all! Assets have power for all children and youth, regardless of their gender, economic status, family, or race/ethnicity The average young person experiences fewer than half of the 40 assets, and boys experience an average of three fewer assets than girls 17

Two Types of Assets External Relationships and opportunities that young people experience in their families, schools, and communities Internal Competencies and values that youth develop internally to guide behaviors and choices

Developmental Assets The first four asset categories focus on external structures, relationships and activities that create a positive environment for young people.

1. Support - need to be surrounded by people who love, care for, appreciate and accept. 2. Empowerment - need to feel valued and valuable. This happens when they feel safe and respected. 3. Boundaries and Expectations - need clear rules, consistent consequences for breaking rules and encouragement to do their best. 4. Constructive Use of Time - need opportunities to learn and develop new skills and interests with other youth and adults.

Developmental Assets A community also needs to nurture the internal qualities that guide choices and create a sense of purpose and focus.

1. Commitment to Learning - need a sense of the lasting importance of learning and a belief in their own abilities. 2. Positive Values - need to develop strong guiding values or principles to help them make healthy life choices. 3. Social Competencies - need the skills to interact effectively to make difficult decisions, and to cope with new situations. 4. Positive Identity - need to believe in their own self-worth and to feel that they have control over the things that happen to them.

The Asset-Building Difference From Ø Prescribed Programs Ø Incidental Ø Problems Ø Troubled kids Ø Work of professionals To Relationships Intentional Strengths All kids Everyone’s job

Working Togetherhift From Ø Experimental Ø Project Focused Ø Shifting messages Ø Cooperation Ø Quick Fix To Evidence based Comprehensive Consistency Partnership Ongoing

Key messages All kids need assets. Everyone can build assets. Relationships are key. Asset building is an ongoing process. Consistent messages are crucial. Repetition is important.

Asset-Building Toolkit at www. ourkidsnetwork. ca The Asset Building Toolkit is a onestop shop with easy, online access to tools, ideas and resources.

How the Asset-Building Toolkit can help me 1. Organizational commitment 2. Sharing the DA message 3. Embedding DA into organizations 4. Invigorating my program 5. Engaging children and youth 6. Evaluating and celebrating 27

Some testimonials “Looking at other tools gives you good ideas of how to make yours better. ” YMCA of Burlington Hamilton Brantford “The AB Toolkit provides you with language, ready-to-go presentations, success stories and videos to help you share the message. ” Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School “It helped us to embed DA into our hiring process. Candidates come to MCRC already aware of DA and we build from there. ” Milton Community Resource Centre 28

Asset-Building Toolkit at www. ourkidsnetwork. ca Take 20 minutes and see what the AB Toolkit can do for you and your organization

Resources www. search-institute. com www. lionsquest. ca www. ourkidsnetwork. ca

Thank you Search Institute! Slides 4 -5, 16, 18 -25 used with permission as part of the Essentials of Asset Building Training of Trainers workshop. Copyright © 2008 by Search Institute, 800888 -7828, www. search-institute. org/training.

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