NCJ Number
166306
Date Published
1995
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This booklet identifies and describes the "developmental assets" juveniles need to develop in a positive, healthy way and presents steps in the development of a program that will foster these assets.
Abstract
The developmental assets are grouped into six categories. One category consists of "support." Youth need families, friends, other adults, and other environments that are caring, supportive, affirming, and safe. Youth also need "boundaries," that is, standards and rules to guide and protect them. Further, they need "structured time use" in which they have positive, constructive, interesting, and challenging things to do. Other developmental assets are educational commitment, positive values, and competencies. After defining these categories of developmental assets, the booklet contrasts the traditional approaches in community organizations and an asset-building approach. Benefits of asset building are then outlined. They are renewing hope, renewing community, renewing mission, reducing problems, engaging constituents, and renewing networks. The booklet concludes with a description of key strategies for building assets within and through community organizations. The steps are to examine current practices, catch and share the vision, involve youth, examine internal practices, design asset-promoting programs, and build partnerships in the community. Asset-building resources from Search Institute are listed and described.