Early on in its work, the Partnership chose the Search Institute's Assets Approach as a common philosophy and language to frame discussions about children, youth and families. Over this past year, the Partnership has continued to take the leadership role in integrating the Assets Approach into many aspects of the community.

In October of 2001, the Partnership held a community forum to release the Profiles of Student Life ("Assets") survey results (see The World According to Our Kids report) and to begin a dialogue on how Arlington community members can intentionally build the 40 developmental assets with our young people. A standing room only, very diverse audience, including young people, attended the forum. Since that initial public meeting, the Partnership has made over 50 presentations to a wide range of groups, including Leadership Arlington, PTAs, Kiwanis Club, Virginia Hospital Center Pediatric Grand Rounds, individual school staffs, and the Community Services Board. (See attached list).

In December of 2001, the Partnership formed an Assets Committee to guide the assets work in the community. This committee continues to respond to requests for assets information and, through outreach, targets additional groups to raise the awareness around assets. The committee is also following up with those who have had an initial training or presentation to ensure that groups and individuals feel supported and empowered as they move from an awareness of the Assets Approach to taking specific actions that build assets on a practical level.

To further encourage awareness around assets in general and to help community members understand the practical implications of this model, the Arlington Public Libraries purchased two sets of Search Institute Assets materials, housed at the Central Library and the Columbia Pike Library. Also, the Partnership is developing an Assets website in collaboration with the Libraries. The site will be ready in early 2003.

Another Assets Committee goal is to develop and implement an assets marketing campaign geared specifically to Arlington. One challenge is how to develop strategies that will speak to the rich diversity in our community. During this past summer, the committee worked in partnership with KSA-Plus Communications, Inc. to design an assets brochure using Arlington survey data to further educate the community in assets. The full eight-page brochure was distributed to all Arlington Public Schools teachers in September and is also being used in assets trainings community-wide. A smaller tri-fold brochure was distributed to all 18,000 families with children enrolled in Arlington Public Schools through funds provided by the Arlington Community Foundation. The tri-fold is also used as a handout at public events, such as the Arlington County Fair. The committee is working to have the brochures translated into Spanish.

The Partnership is committed to working with others in the community to develop and implement this comprehensive marketing plan, building on the success of the brochure. In May, 2002, the County approved funding for a full- time Assets Liaison as part of the Partnership staff. The liaison position was filled in early November. This position will work with the Assets Committee toward reaching the goals they have set forth.

Implementing the Assets Approach in a community is, by its very nature, a long-term process that must be continually sustained and renewed. The Partnership is deeply committed to sustaining our present efforts and furthering our work to infuse assets into the very fabric of the community. To keep the importance of assets on the forefront, the Partnership intends to administer the Profiles of Student Life ("Assets") survey again in March 2003, even though we are not likely to see any significant change in asset levels since the first administration in June 2001. The Partnership intends to use the 2003 survey results as a springboard for discussions with young people themselves on the importance of assets in the community.

The Partnership is grateful for the leadership of both the Arlington County Board and the Arlington County School Board in formally adopting the Assets Framework and funding an Assets Liaison position. The continued support of the County Board and the School Board are essential to the further success of this effort.