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COMMISSION ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH
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"IT'S TIME FOR
KITSAP KIDS" - DEVELOPMENTAL ASSET INITIATIVE |
Now in its eighth year, "It's Time for Kitsap Kids"
Developmental Asset Initiative is dedicated to envisioning a community where
all young people know they are valued, have hope for the future, and possess the
resources to achieve their goals. This initiative is based on the
Search Institute's
framework of 40 Developmental Assets, which are positive experiences, relationships,
opportunities, and personal qualities that young people need to grow up healthy, caring
and responsible. Created in the 1990's the framework is grounded in
research on child and adolescent development, risk prevention, and resiliency.
Assets are easy to build! Asset building is about relationships - anyone can do it.
You can make a difference and help a young person succeed!
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On one level, the 40 Development Assets represent common wisdom about the
kinds of positive experiences and characteristics that young people need and
deserve. But their value extends further. Surveys of almost 150,000 students
in grades 6 - 12 reveal that assets are powerful influences on adolescent
behavior. Regardless of gender, ethnic heritage, economic situation, or
geographic location, assets both promote positive behaviors and attitudes
and help protect young people from many different problem behaviors.
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| The importance
of Assets |
Search Institutes research shows that the more assets young people have,
less likely they are to engage in risky behaviors. In addition, these
common themes about the importance of assets have emerged from numerous findings:
- Assets promote academic success.
- Assets divert youth from risky behaviors and increase civic engagement.
- Assets give young people the strengths they need to make positive choices
in life.
- Across the United States - in big cities and small towns - the most
young people now experience fewer than half of the 40 Developmental Assets.
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