DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS

The 40 Developmental Assets listed in the table below are based on research performed by the Search Institute. When these concepts are incorporated into the lives of children and youth the result is a healthier community! The exciting thing about assets is that everyone--parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, friends, youth workers, employers, youth, and others--can build them! 

Our Georgetown schools incorporate Assets into their district-wide calendar.  Click here to view the featured asset for this month!

Asset Building

Developmental Assets are the key building blocks necessary for young people to become healthy, caring, resilient, and successful. There are external assets (such as feeling support from caring adults and peers, having useful roles in their community, and using free time constructively), and internal assets (such as motivation to learn, a positive set of values, and good social skills).

Research conducted by Search Institute® in Minnesota shows that the more assets a young person has, the more likely he or she is to succeed in school and be helpful, healthy, and productive citizens. There is a proven link between the number of Developmental Assets and academic achievement. Furthermore, the same research shows that young people with more assets are less likely to be involved with drugs, alcohol, or other risky behaviors.

The asset framework is not a program that someone is supposed to do. It's a path that anyone can take - a way of relating to kids that anyone can choose. This framework lets individuals and groups immediately set out to assist young people. Alone or together, their actions will really help kids. Every child and teen needs positive connections with many supportive adults and peers. Asset Building provides a way to celebrate and improve on how we relate to young people.

The Georgetown Project works in schools, with youth-serving programs, and with the entire city to promote the shared responsibility of all members of the community to build assets in all young people. Asset Building provides the foundation for all of TGP’s Community Engagement efforts.


Some key principles of Asset Building:

• It's about relationships. Asset building is about helping people build good relationships with children and teenagers. Peter Benson of Search Institute says, "It's time to move beyond programs to figure out practical, easy ways more adults (other than professionals) can get involved in helping young people thrive."
• All children need assets. Nearly all children and adolescents could use more assets than they now have. Children with special problems deserve special attention, but the community-wide effort to help all kids grow up will benefit everyone.
• Everyone has a role to play. Different people have different things to offer children. Along with parents, children can be positively influences by other throughout the community, including their peers.
• The process is ongoing. Every stage of a child's development is important. Each one builds on experiences from the previous stage. It is never too early to build assets, and it's never too late.
• No single asset is the answer. Focusing on building particular assets is not really the point. The more assets a child has, the more likely that child will succeed.
• Small things count. Simple, everyday actions can acknowledge a child's presence and invite contribution. Over time these small things provide a solid foundation for growth and support.
• Repetition is good. Youth need to hear and see and experience positive messages often and from a lot of different people.

The 40 Developmental Assets®

What is Asset Building?

Research has proven the direct link between assets and student achievement. No matter where or under what circumstances a child grows up, the more assets that child has, the more likely they are to succeed. The wonderful thing about Asset Building is that every member of the community can help to build them in youth. The Georgetown Project promotes the shared responsibility of all members of the community to build assets in kids, and thus help to nurture successful adults.

Assets are the key supportive strands in a young person's life that help them grow to be strong, caring and capable adults. The more assets a young person has, the more likely they are to succeed in school and be helpful, healthy and productive citizens. At the same time, the more assets, the less likely young people are to be involved with drugs, alcohol or other risky behaviors.

The 20 external assets and 20 internal assets are shown below, adapted with permission from Search Institute®. Click on the title of each asset to view ideas for building that asset.

#28 - Integrity - Young people do what they believe is right. #31 - Restraint - Young people believe it is important for teenagers to abstain from sex and from using alcohol or other drugs. #38 - Self-Esteem - Young people feel good about who they are. #40 - Positive View of Personal Future - Young people are  hopeful and confident about their future.

A - Advocating 
S - Spending time 
S - Showing that I care 
E - Encouraging and Valuing 
T - Teaching and Modeling