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Developmental Assets

To better understand young adults in our community, New Milford CAN conducts a survey every two years of 8th, 10th, and 12 grade students in Schaghticoke Middle School and New Milford High School. 

 

This survey is developed by the Search Institute and focuses on the 40 Developmental Assets® that influence our young adults. 

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Basically, the more assets a young adult has, the higher probability they will become successful.  The fewer assets a young adult has, the more likely they are going to engage in risky behavior. Located below, we have provided a description of all the assets. Overall, this survey helps provide the strategic framework for our organization in order to complete our mission.

Support

Young people need to be surrounded by people who love, care for, appreciate, and accept them.

 

1) Family support—Family life provides high levels of love and support.

 

2) Positive family communication—Young person and their parent(s) communicate positively, and young person is willing to seek parent(s) advice and counsel.

 

3) Other adult relationships—Young person receives support from three or more non-parent adults.

 

4) Caring neighborhood—Young person experiences caring neighbors.

 

5) Caring school climate—School provides a caring, encouraging environment.

 

6) Parent involvement in schooling—Parent(s) are actively involved in helping young person succeed in school.

40 Developmental Assets®

The Developmental Assets® are 40 research-based, positive experiences and qualities that influence young people’s development, helping them become caring, responsible, and productive adults.

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Over time, studies of more than 5 million young people consistently show that the more assets young people have, the less likely they are to engage in a wide range of high-risk behaviors and the more likely they are to thrive.

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Research shows that youth with the most assets are more likely to:

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  • Do well in school

  • Be civically engaged

  • Value Diversity

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Research shows that youth with the most assets are least likely to have problems with:

  • Alcohol Use

  • Violence

  • Illicit Drug use

  • Sexual Activity

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