40 Developmental Assets...
The Waterbury Prevention Policy Board has adopted the Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets, a Positive Youth Development Framework. The Developmental Assets are building blocks young people need to grow and become caring, competent adults. There are 40 Assets; 1-20 are External and 21-40 are Internal. The Developmental Assets are clearly cumulative in their effect- the more assets that young people have, the more likely they are to report that they engage in safe and healthy behaviors and the less likely they are to report that they engage in high-risk behaviors.
In April 2007, the Waterbury Prevention Policy Board surveyed 750 Waterbury 6th and 9th grade public and non-public students. They found that:
- 13% of youth surveyed have 10 or fewer assets
- 47% of youth surveyed have 11-20 assets
- 32% of youth surveyed have between 21-30 assets
- 8% of youth surveyed have between 31-40 assets
By grade level, we found that on average, our 6th graders had 20 assets, while our 9th graders average 17.7 assets.
If you would like more information please go to www.waterburyppb.org
EXTERNAL ASSETS 1-20
Asset #1: Family Support
The definition of Family Support is: Family life provides high levels of love and support. Did you know that 74% of Waterbury young people report their family lives provide high levels of love and support? Have you told your children, niece, nephew or grandchild lately that you care about them? In what ways can you support teens in your family? You can model positive behavior by showing courtesy to family members in public and at home.
Asset #2: Positive Family Communication
The definition of Positive Family Communication is:Young person and her or his parent(s) communicate positively, and young person is willing to seek advice and counsel from parent(s).
Did you know that 31% of Waterbury young people report that they and their parents communicate positively and they are willing to seek parent advice and counsel? Are you surprised by that percentage? Do you have a consistent time to check in with the kids in your family? What is going on in their lives? What is important to them? The best way to find out is to ask them.
Asset #3 Other Adult Relationships
The definition of Other Adult Relationships is: Young person receives support from three or more non-parent adults.
Did you know that 36% of Waterbury young people report receiving support from at least three non-parent adults? Are you that caring supportive adult for the youth in your neighborhood and community? Even though they might not say it, our kids need you! Start a conversation and take interest in the young people around you today.
Asset #4 Caring Neighborhood
The definition of Caring Neighborhood is: Young person experiences caring neighbors.
Did you know that 38% of Waterbury young people report they experience caring neighbors? Do you know the youth in your neighborhood? Do you know their names, where they live, what they like to do? It simply starts with a hello and a smile. Invite youth of all ages to be involved in planning and attending neighborhood activities.
Asset #5 Caring School Climate
The definition of Caring School Climate is: School provides a caring, encouraging environment.
Did you know that 34% of Waterbury young people report their school provides a caring, encouraging environment? What can you do? Get involved! Volunteer at your local school as a caring adult or join a parent/teacher organization. Talk to young people around you. Ask them what they would do to improve school climate.
Asset #6 Parent Involvement in Schooling
The definition of Parent Involvement in Schooling is: Parent(s) are actively involved in helping young person succeed in school.
Did you know 32% of Waterbury youth report that their parents are actively involved in helping them succeed? As your children grow older, it may seem like they don’t need your help, but they do need you to be involved. Go to school conferences. Make it a priority to attend school events. Keep track of school events on a family calendar. Even if you are not a parent, share with young people how what they learn in school (math, writing, problem solving skills etc.) relates to your job.
Asset #7 Community Values Youth
The definition of Community Values Youth is: Young person perceives that adults in the community value youth.
Did you know 26% of Waterbury young people perceive that adults in the community value them? Teens say this starts as simply greeting young people as you pass them on the street. Surprise a young person by looking them in the eye and saying hello or holding the door open for them.
Asset #8 Youth as Resources
The definition of Youth as Resources is: Young people are given useful roles in the community.
Did you know 28% of Waterbury young people report being given useful roles in the community? Invite young people to serve on leadership positions in community organizations. Or ask a young person to teach you how to do something like how to program your cell phone or use a computer program.
Asset #9 Service to Others
The definition of Service to Others is: Young person serves in the community one hour or more per week.
Did you know 49% of Waterbury young people volunteer in the community at least one hour a week? Volunteer as a family to demonstrate the importance of serving others. Look for opportunities for youth to help others through organized programs or by helping neighbors or an older relative.
Asset #10 Safety
The definition of Safety is: Young person feels safe at home, at school, and in the neighborhood.
Did you know 43% of Waterbury young people feel safe at home, school and in their neighborhood? Be a neighbor that welcomes young people. Encourage them to use your basketball hoop. Let a neighborhood family know that if their children are scared or locked out of their house, they can come to your house.
Asset #11 Family Boundaries
The definition of Family Boundaries is: Family has clear rules and consequences and monitors the young person’s whereabouts.
Did you know 39% of Waterbury young people feel they have clear rules and consequences at home and their parents monitor their whereabouts? Simple, positive and reasonable boundaries can improve youth’s lives by setting family rules and consequences. Be clear about rules such as curfew and when you expect them to check in. Let your child help establish what a consequence will be for breaking a rule before it happens.
Asset #12 School Boundaries
The definition of School Boundaries is: School provides clear rules and consequences.
Did you know 64% of Waterbury young people say their school provides clear rules and consequences? Explicit school boundaries show what is needed in order to have respectful relationships conducive to a positive environment. If rules are not consistently enforced, students won’t think they are a priority.
Asset #13 Neighborhood Boundaries
The definition of Neighborhood Boundaries is: Neighbors take responsibility for monitoring young people’s behavior.
Did you know 51% of Waterbury young people say their neighbors take responsibility for monitoring young people’s behavior? Neighborhood boundaries can be achieved by developing relationships with neighbors. When a young person needs to be told he/she is out of line, doing so respectfully will help maintain that relationship. Teens are more likely to obey rules when they see you doing the same. Praise young people when they do something right.
Asset #14 Adult Role Models
The definition of Adult Role Models is: Parent(s) and other adults model positive, responsible behavior.
Did you know 30% of Waterbury young people report they have in their lives parents and other adults who model positive responsible behavior? Adults should show the qualities they hope that youth will mature into and show later generations. Young people should have five adults, besides their parents, they can turn to for help and advice. Identify the young people around you that you can build relationships with.
Asset #15 Positive Peer Influence
The definition of Positive Peer Influence is: Young person’s best friends model responsible behavior.
Did you know 68% of Waterbury young people report that their best friends model responsible behavior? Get to know your children’s friends and acknowledge their positive actions. Make your home a welcoming environment where kids can hang out and will have supervision.
Asset #16 High Expectations
The definition of High Expectations is: Both parent(s) and teachers encourage the young person to do well.
Did you know 56% of Waterbury young people report that their parents and teachers encourage them to do well? The performance and actions of students can be greatly improved with expectations, not out of reach or too low, from parents and teachers. Provide positive encouragement and encourage persistence.
Asset #17 Creative Activities
The definition of Creative Activities is: Young person spends three or more hours per week in lessons or practice in music, theater, or other arts.
Did you know 23% of Waterbury young people spend at least three hours a week involved in creative endeavors such as music, theatre or other arts? Creative activities allow young people to expand their minds in ways that they otherwise would not. Expose children to the arts at a young age. Check out free programs offered in the community at places like the library or parks.
Asset #18 Youth Programs
The definition of Youth Programs is: Young person spends three or more hours per week in sports, clubs, or organizations at school and/or in the community.
Did you know 49% of Waterbury young people are involved in sports, clubs or organizations at school or in the community at least three hours a week? Encourage your children and their friends to try something new. Take them to the park or to the theatre or to a neighborhood association meeting to develop their appetite for further involvement.
Asset #19 Religious Community
The definition of Religious Community is: Young person spends one or more hours per week in activities in a religious institution.
Did you know that 58% of Waterbury young people spend at least an hour a week in activities at religious institutions? Attend activities with your children or another young person. Have conversations at home about spirituality.
Asset #20 Time at Home
The definition of Time at Home is: Young person is out with friends “with nothing special to do” two or fewer nights per week.
Did you know 55% of Waterbury young people report being out with friends with no special plans two or fewer nights a week? Time at home is necessary in developing family bonds and strengthening family trust. Place a priority on spending time with your children or young relatives. Participate in enjoyable activities such as a family game night or regular family meals.