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According to the Search Institute, a leading non-profit dedicated to the study of improving youth development, studies reveal strong and consistent relationships between the number of Developmental Assets present in young people's lives and the degree to which they develop in positive and healthful ways. The fewer the number of developmental assets present, the greater the possibility youth will engage in dangerous behavior such as drug use, unsafe sex and violence.
The "40 Developmental Assets" is a framework that assesses the health and well-being of middle and high school age youth. It measures the presence of external support that adults provide, such as love, guidance and structure, as well as young people's internal assets such as motivation, values and beliefs.
Caring relationships between the community and our youth are needed to make certain they have the assets they need to grow up healthy, caring and competent.
In a 2004, the Forest Grove school district surveyed eight-hundred 7th, 9th & 11th grade students and found they had an average of only 17.6 of the 40 Developmental Assets, putting them at risk for academic failure and dangerous behavior.
Youth Matters! brought together schools and community organizations to increase the number of Developmental Assets for students in Forest Grove. A community awareness campaign held build awareness that every adult needs to take time to provide youth with support and guidance. 40 employers are working with students through the district's T.E.A.M (Together Everyone Achieves More) program. The City produced a youth resource guide with information on youth programs and activities, and the Forest Grove School Board adopted a goal to evaluate academics, activities, and discipline decisions for consistency with the 40 assets model. The district launched an after-school program at four of its schools, the result of a $1.3 million, five-year 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant. The program provided academic support, recreational activities and meals for about 315 students. In a new partnership between the school district and the Boys and Girls Club, a full schedule of summer day camps had been offered to Forest Grove youth.
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