Search Institute and America’s Promise Survey Overview
La Plata County in partnership with Ignacio, Bayfield, and Durango is creating a Children Youth and Family Master Plan that will increase the likelihood that every child, young person and family in the county thrives. The survey will be administered in all three school districts (9-R, 10 JT-R, 11JT) and will provide the citizens creating the plan’s recommendations with information that will ensure the voices of our young people are included throughout the plan. The survey was developed as a joint venture between Search Institute and America’s Promise, entitled The Survey of Student Resources and Assets.
Search Institute’s vision is a world where all young people are valued and thrive. To accomplish this vision they collaborate with and support communities interested in promoting long-term organizational and cultural change as it pertains to the healthy development of all children and adolescents. Their framework, known as the Developmental Assets, has identified through research, the 20 external and the 20 internal assets that every child needs to increase his or her chances to thrive. These 40 asset categories are divided into the following eight:
External Assets
The first 20 Developmental Assets focus on positive experiences that youth receive from the people and institutions in their lives. Four categories of external assets are in the framework:
q Support: Are young people experiencing the support, care, and love they need from their families, neighbors, and many others? Are there organizations and institutions that provide positive, and supportive environments?
q Empowerment: Does the community value young people and do they have opportunities to contribute to others? Are they safe and do they feel secure?
q Boundaries and expectations: Do young people know what is expected of them and whether their activities and behaviors are "in bounds" or "out of bounds"?
q Constructive use of time: Do all youth have access to constructive, enriching growth opportunities, creative activities and youth related programs?
Internal Assets
A community's responsibility for its young people does not end with the provision of external assets. Caring adults must make a similar commitment to nurture the internal qualities that guide positive choices and foster a sense of confidence, passion, and purpose. Youth need this wisdom to make responsible decisions about the present and future. The framework includes four categories of internal assets:
q Commitments to learning: Are young people developing a lifelong commitment to education and learning?
q Positive values: Are young people developing strong values that guide their choices?
q Social competencies: Do young people have the skills and competencies they need to equip them for making positive choices, to build relationships, and to succeed in life?
q Positive identity: Do young people have a strong sense of their own power, purpose, worth, and promise?
America’s Promise is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of young people. Their framework focuses on five fundamental resources needed to ensure young people thrive. These are:
· Ongoing relationships with caring adults
· Safe places and structured activities during non-school hours
· A healthy start for a healthy future
· Marketable skills through effective education
· Opportunities to serve
The report generated from these surveys will be available to all citizens as will the final Children, Youth and Family Master Plan.
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