Youth First is focused on utilizing the 40 Developmental Assets to empower, encourage and support the youth of Washington County. SEARCH Institute has identified 40 positive experiences and qualities – developmental assets – that all of us have the power to bring into the lives of children and youth.
Support
1. Family Support – Family life provides high levels of love and support. 67%
2. Positive Family Communication – Young Person and her/his parent(s) communicate positively, and young person is willing to seek advice and counsel from parents. 28%
3. Other Adult Relationships – Young person receives support from three or more nonparent adults. 47%
4. Caring Neighborhood – Young person experiences caring neighbors. 40%
5. Caring School Climate – School provides a caring, encouraging environment. 30%
6. Parent Involvement in Schooling – Parent(s) are actively involved in helping young person succeed in school. 28%
Empowerment
7. Community Values Youth – Young person perceives that adults in the community value youth. 23%
8. Youth as Resources – Young people are given useful roles in the community. 24%
9. Service to Others – Young person serves in the community one hour or more per week. 55%
10. Safety – Young person feels safe at home, at school and in the neighborhood. 57%
Boundaries & Expectations
11. Family Boundaries – Family has clear rules and consequences and monitors the young person’s whereabouts. 46%
12. School Boundaries – School provides clear rules and consequences. 52%
13. Neighborhood Boundaries – Neighbors take responsibility for monitoring young people’s behavior. 48%
14. Adult Role Models – Parent(s) and other adults model positive, responsible behavior. 24%
15. Positive Peer Influence – Young person’s best friends model responsible behavior. 63%
16. High Expectations – Both parent(s) and teachers encourage the young person to do well. 45%
Constructive Use of Time
17. Creative Activities – Young person spends three or more hours per week in lessons or practice in music, theatre, or other arts. 16%
18. Youth Programs – Young person spends three or more hours per week in sports, clubs, or organizations at school and/or in the community. 57%
19. Religious Community – Young person spends one or more hours per week in activities in a religious institution. 59%
20. Time at Home – Young person is out with friends “with nothing special to do” two or fewer nights per week. 60%
Commitment to Learning
21. Achievement Motivation – Young Person is motivated to do well in school. 59%
22. School Engagement – Young person is actively engaged in learning. 53%
23. Homework – Young person reports doing at least one hour of homework every school day. 35%
24. Bonding to School – Young person cares about her or his school. 50%
25. Reading for Pleasure – Young person reads for pleasure three or more hours per week. 22%
Positive Values
26. Caring – Young person places high value on helping other people. 51%
27. Equality and Social Justice – Young person places high value on promoting equality and reducing hunger and poverty. 51%
28. Integrity – Young person acts on convictions and stands up for her or his beliefs. 71%
29. Honesty – Young person “tells the truth even when it is not easy.” 69%
30. Responsibility – Young person accepts and takes personal responsibility. 65%
31. Restraint – Young person believes it is important not to be sexually active or to use alcohol or other drugs. 44%
Social Competencies
32. Planning and Decision Making – Young person knows how to plan ahead and make choices. 27%
33. Interpersonal Competence – Young person has empathy, sensitivities, and friendship skills. 46%
34. Cultural Competence – Young person has knowledge of and comfort with people of different cultural/racial/ethnic backgrounds. 32%
35. Resistance Skills – Young person can resist negative peer pressure and dangerous situations. 40%
36. Peaceful Conflict Resolution – Young person seeks to resolve conflict nonviolently. 31%
Positive Identity
37. Personal Power – Young person feels he or she has control over “things that happen to me.” 40%
38. Self-Esteem – Young person reports having a high self-esteem. 43%
39. Sense of Purpose – Young person reports that “my life has a purpose.” 52%
40. Positive View of Personal Future – Young person is optimistic about her or his personal future. 68%