Developmental Assets Media Toolkit

Project Overview

This project is a media toolkit of ten social media messages based on the Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets, positive experiences and qualities that all of us have the power to bring into the lives of children and youth. These ten messages are based on seven of the 40 developmental assets and include a short text and graphic designed for sharing on social media, newsletters or print. This project highlights critical opportunities, relationships and personal strengths that young people need to succeed.  When youth have what they need to succeed, they have healthier outcomes and when our youth are healthier, our communities are healthier.

Research done by the Search Institute shows that youth with more developmental assets engage in fewer risks, and more thriving behaviors. We felt that if we could support the development of these assets in youth in our communities, we would be not only reducing their risk of engaging in risky behaviors like substance misuse but also help them to thrive and strengthen families.  Our goal was to create an easy-to-use media toolkit with simple messages and tips that anyone who has a relationship with young people can use. This toolkit will give families the tips and tools to help connect and build positive relationships with their kids.  Providing these resources to schools and organizations allows them to increase their support for the families that they work with. The Developmental Assets Media Toolkit, so far, has been shared with Springfield School District, Windsor Southeast Supervisory Union (Windsor schools), Windham Northeast Supervisory Union (Bellows Falls schools), Two Rivers Supervisory Union (Black River & Green Mountain School districts), and Hartford School District.

Partners

Green Peak Alliance Partners: The Collaborative, Greater Falls Connections, Mt. Ascutney Prevention Partnership, Springfield School District

Timeline

May 2019 – Ongoing

Project Resources

The Developmental Assets Social Media Toolkit includes a guide document and ten Facebook graphics with accompanying text. The toolkit is publicly accessible through our Google Drive shared folder. Organizations, providers, parents, caring adults, and other individuals are encouraged to download the toolkit and share the campaign content from their own social media accounts using hashtags #developmentalassets and #greenpeakalliance. Scroll down further to find downloadable files in rack card, poster, and flier format.