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Reports and Publications ::
2001 Report
Assets Building as the Framework for the Agenda
Faced with the task of developing a community agenda, the Partnership recognized that it is essential to have a common philosophy
and language to frame discussions about children, youth and families. After careful consideration, the Partnership chose the Assets Framework.
This framework is based on the research of the Minneapolis-based Search Institute. It focuses on using relationships
and other strengths of the community to build the developmental foundation or assets that all children and youth need to become healthy,
productive, and caring adults.
The Search Institute has identified two broad types of developmental assets: external and internal. External assets are the
relationships, expectations and opportunities provided by families, individuals, and organizations within the community. Examples are
caring neighborhood, family support, and school boundaries.
Internal assets are personal qualities, skills and values that youth need to internalize in order to become independent, competent,
purposeful and caring adults. Examples include achievement motivation, honesty, and cultural competence.
Research convincingly demonstrates that assets help promote positive outcomes, cushion the impact of negative influences on our
childrens lives, and allow our youth to thrive, rather than merely survive. The lack of assets, in contrast, is associated with behaviors
that jeopardize the health, safety, or development of our youth.
The Partnership has made a significant investment in the Assets Framework. In the past year, three trainings on the Assets
Framework were given to the entire official leadership of the County and Schools and a broad cross-section of community leaders.
In June 2001, the Partnership administered the
Profiles of Student Life Survey to Arlington students to measure
the levels of assets that they have. In addition, the Partnership has devoted a considerable amount of time conducting community presentations
and preparing printed media introducing the assets concept.
In May 2001, both the School and County Boards officially adopted the Assets Framework to guide their planning activities. Indeed,
the survey data released in October 2001 indicate a clear need to build more assets for Arlingtons youth.
Assets Approach: A Call to Action
All the recommendations in this report are grounded in building assets for Arlingtons young people. The Partnership wishes
to emphasize that the adoption of the Assets approach is a call to action for virtually everyone in the community. Parents, neighbors,
service providers, faith communities, businesses, teachers, and young people themselves are called on to play an intentional role in
building assets.
How would this look?
- Neighbors would know the names of young people on their street or in their building, and would speak to them about their interests.
- Businesses would offer meaningful employment and volunteer opportunities for teens.
- Pastors would provide young people with an opportunity to serve the needy in the community
- Parents would be involved in their childrens schools and support what they are learning.
- Teachers would show each student that, first and foremost, they care about his or her well being.
- All adults would communicate clear boundaries and expectations around what is safe and appropriate behavior for young people
Building assets gives everyone a role in prevention. The intentional infusion of asset building into daily routines in Arlingtons homes,
businesses, neighborhoods, and schools would result in a profound change in outcomes in every area addressed by the Partnership.
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