The NECC Community-Wide Asset Initiative challenges individuals, families, organizations and institutions within the community to examine their own priorities and programs to determine how they build assets and what they can do to be more effective in contributing to this larger community vision. Through this initiative, our children will be given a strong developmental foundation that is reinforced and expanded through each phase of development by all sectors of our community.

 Developmental Assets are the building blocks of healthy child and adolescent development that people from all community sectors can nurture. © Search Institute

Research by Search Institute has identified 40 concrete, positive experiences and qualities that help young people make wise decisions and grow up resilient, competent, and caring. The 40 Developmental Assets protect children and adolescents from engaging in risk behaviors, such as violence and use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. The Community-Wide Asset Initiative challenges individuals, families, and organizations within the community to determine how they build assets in youth and help contribute to a healthy community environment.

Developmental Asset Categories

Support:
Youth need care and love from families, schools and community

Empowerment:
Youth need to feel valued and secure, and have the opportunity to serve others

Boundaries & Expectations:
Youth need clear boundaries and high expectations for behavior

Constructive Use of Time:
Youth need to be involved in structured, enriching activities

Commitment to Learning:
Youth need to develop a lifelong commitment to education

Positive Values:
Youth need strong values to guide their behaviors and decisions

Social Competencies:
Youth need skills to build positive relationships with others

Positive Identity:
Youth need a strong sense of purpose, power, and optimism about the future