Thriving Youth: Connected Community Asset Survey BOARD OF SELECTMEN – JUNE 4, 2012

Background Information: What Is A Developmental Asset? The Developmental Assets® are 40 common sense, positive experiences and qualities that help influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible, successful adults.” Source: Search Institute External assets: Positive developmental experiences that surround youth with:  Support  Empowerment  Boundaries and Expectations  Opportunities for constructive use of time Internal assets: Young person’s own commitments, values, and competencies. Include the following categories:  Commitment to learning  Positive values  Social competencies  Positive identity

Survey Says…… Last November, 1830 students in grades 7 through 12, anonymously filled out the Asset Development survey. The results contain important insights about the young people in our community regarding the challenges they face and the internal strengths and the external supports to overcome those challenges.  Do students feel they are pushed too hard?  Do they have adults they look up to?  Do students feel they have boundaries at home? In school?  Do they participate in risky behaviors (alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, truancy, eating disorders)? How does that change from 7 th to 12 th grade?  Do the students feel they can restrain themselves from those behaviors? How does that change from 7 th to 12 th grade?

The Power to Protect: Correlation Between Assets and Risky Behaviors Success in School in Blue Good Health in Red The Power to Promote: Correlation Between Assets and Thriving Behaviors

How much do you agree or disagree with the following?  Adults in my town make me feel important  Adults in my town listen to what I have to say  Adults in my town don’t care about people my age. In my town, I feel like I matter to people Community Values Youth

How much do you agree or disagree with the following?  My parents spend a lot of time helping other people How many adults have you known for two or more years who...?  Spend a lot of time helping other people  Do things that are wrong or dangerous Adult Role Models

How much do you agree or disagree with each of the following?  It is against my values to drink alcohol while I am a teenager  It is against my values to have sex while I am a teenager Restraint

Think about the people who know you well. How do you think they would rate you on each of these?  Thinking through the possible good and bad results of different choices before I make decisions  Being good at planning ahead Planning and Decision Making

10 In the past 30 days, have used the following 6 days or more: Tobacco, Alcohol, Marijuana, Prescription drug w/o own Rx Heavier Use of Substances In Past 30 Days Largest increases Between grades 8-9 and th grade is low. Rx use increasing

11 Connecticut towns compared (7,369 youth, ): Westport, Wilton, Glastonbury, Cheshire, Lyme-Old Lyme, Newtown, Madison Past 30-Day Use of Substances

12 Associations Between Substance Use And Perceptions of Personal Harm & Parental Disapproval As kids get older, their disapproval and their perception of their parents’ disapproval of substance use decreases and usage increases.