Advancing Youth FuturesSM

© The Legacy Center for Community Success

Child Abuse Council Spring ConferenceNorth Central Michigan College

Petoskey, MichiganApril 25, 2014

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Advancing Youth Futures• Advancing Youth Futures (AYF) began in Midland

County with request by Probate Court Judge (Juvenile Court) Dorene Allen to “get inside the heads of my court wards and find out what makes them tick!”

• AYF program developed and implemented that in the past 5 years has– Reduced delinquency >50%– Reduced re-offense rate by >70%– Reduced offenses by younger siblings from >40% to <5%– Saved $3 million– Improved multiple adolescent health outcomes

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Advancing Youth Futures

What is Advancing Youth Futures (AYF)?Comprehensive, integrated, and systemic approach to reducing

adolescent youths’ risk-taking behaviors to improve delinquent and health-related outcomes

• AYF Components– Base line assessment of Developmental Assets and Risk-

Taking Behaviors– Regression analysis to determine most impactful elements– Enhancements/development of youth-oriented programs– Program evaluations and adjustments– Evaluation of delinquent and health-related outcomes– Follow-up assessment of Developmental Assets and Risk-

Taking Behaviors

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Advancing Youth Futures

• What are Developmental Assets?– Model originated by Search Institute– Based on 40 positive character traits or attributes

that youth should possess– 20 External Assets—Relationships and

opportunities that young people experience in their families, schools and communities

– 20 Internal Assets—Competencies and values that youth develop internally to guide behaviors and choices

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Advancing Youth FuturesWhat is the base line assessment of Developmental Assets and Risk-Taking Behaviors?• 160 question survey• Measures:

− 40 Developmental Assets− 24 Risk-Taking Behaviors− 5 Deficits− 8 Thriving Behaviors− 10 High-Risk Behaviors

• Provides evidence-based research on adolescent development and comprehensive profiles of youth

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Advancing Youth Futures

2 Studies in Midland County (2006 and 2011)

Demographics of 2011 Study• Participants (Midland County Public School 6th-12th Graders )

– 3,007 Girls– 3,028 Boys 6,035 Total (86% participation) [vs. ~81% in 2006]

• 68 of 6,103 (1.1%) Surveys discarded for irregularities – Inconsistent responses– Guessing– Incomplete responses

• 3-7% discarded nationally• Estimated error < ±1%

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Advancing Youth Futures

• Alcohol Use•Binge Drinking• Marijuana Use• Smokeless Tobacco Use• Illegal Drug Use• Driving While Drinking• Sexual Intercourse• Vandalism• Inhalant Use• Smoking• Shoplifting• Using a Weapon

• Eating Disorders• Skipping School• Gambling• Depression• Getting into Trouble• Hitting Another Person• Hurting Another Person• Fighting in Groups• Carrying a Weapon for Protection• Threatening to Cause Physical Harm• Attempting Suicide• Riding with an Impaired Driver

24 Risk-Taking Behaviors Evaluated

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0-10 Assets 11-20 Assets 21-30 Assets 31-40 Assets0

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Risk-Taking Behaviors Versus Assets

Number of Developmental Assets

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More Developmental Assets Results in Fewer Risk-Taking Behaviors

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Advancing Youth Futures• Education about negative consequences of Risk-Taking

behaviors is the standard approach but is mostly ineffective– Gain from the Risk-Taking behavior is immediate– Negative consequences are deferred and only probable or

even likely, but never certain• Developmental Assets analogous to vaccinations

– More Developmental Assets; Fewer Risk-Taking behaviors• There is a likely hierarchy of Developmental Assets

– Certain ones mitigate specific Risk-Taking Behaviors– Analogous to specific vaccines utilized for specific diseases

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Advancing Youth FuturesHow do we determine which Developmental Assets are most important for programs to emphasize?

• Regression analysis allows us to see which of the 40 Developmental Assets have the greatest impact on a specific risk behavior

• The results vary somewhat for each risk behavior but with consistent findings

• “Top tier” Developmental Assets that affect all risk-taking behaviors

• “Second tier” Developmental Assets specific to certain individual risk-taking behaviors

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0

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Grade Level

Growth of Developmental Assets Over Time

6th Grade 12th GradeBirth

"Institutions"-Family-School-Faith-based-Community

"Peers"

"Tipping Point" occursat onset of adolescence; "Peers" supercede "Institutions"

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Advancing Youth Futures

• Assets grow from birth through 6th grade owing to positive influence of “institutions”

• Assets decline from 6th-12th grade owing to influence of “peers”– Consequence of normal maturation– Adolescents tend to push back/resist guidance of

“institutions”– Adolescents more accepting of advice of “peers”

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Regression Analysis Results

Top Tier Assets• Positive Peers• Restraint• Resistance Skills• Adult Role Models

Risk-Taking Behaviors• Alcohol• Tobacco• Marijuana• Illicit Drugs• Drinking and

Driving/Riding• Sex• Antisocial Behavior• Violence• Gambling

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Regression Analysis Results

Second Tier Assets• Adult Role Models• School Engagement• Bonding to School• Time at Home• Achievement Motivation• Honesty

Risk-Taking Behaviors• Alcohol• Tobacco• Marijuana• Illicit Drugs• Drinking and

Driving/Riding• Sex• Antisocial Behavior• Violence• Gambling

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Regression Analysis Results

Top Tier Assets

• Self-esteem• Sense of Purpose• Positive Peers

Risk-Taking Behaviors

• Depression• Suicidal Behavior• Eating Disorder

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Regression Analysis Results

Second Tier Assets• Personal Power• Family Support• Community Values Youth• Safety• Youth as Resources• Positive View of Personal

Future

Risk-Taking Behavior• Depression• Suicidal Behavior

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Advancing Youth Futures• Regression Analysis indicates that the most

impactful Developmental Assets overall are− Positive Peers

− Restraint (Risk avoidance)− Resistance (Refusing to participate when offered)

− Adult Role Models• Developmental Assets that most directly

affect Positive Peers are− Creative Activities− Organized Youth Activities− Faith-Based Activities

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Common Characteristics of Creative, Youth and Faith-Based Activities

• Increase probability of association with other wholesome youth

• Expend time and energy• Include imposed structure or rules• Associated with adult role models• Provide opportunity for adult role models to

“coach”—i.e., give advice that is more likely to be heeded

Advancing Youth Futures

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Recent research findings about teens (Laurence Steinberg, Distinguished University Professor and Laura H. Carnell Professor of Psychology, Temple University)•Teens value rewards much more than concerns about negative consequences•They are significantly more apt to take risks•The influence of friends profoundly affects their behavioral choices

“Think of it as an equation where consequences aren’t given the weight they should be. And when teens are around friends, that throws off the equation even more.” --Laurence Steinberg, National Geographic, October 2011

Advancing Youth Futures

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10-11 12-13 14-15 16-17 18-19 20-22 23-25 26-300

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Advancing Youth Futures

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Laurence Steinberg, Temple University (2011)

HigherRiskPreference

LowerRiskPreference

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Advancing Youth Futures

2011 Findings vs. 2006• Significant improvement overall in Developmental Assets

compared to 2006 (+15% Average Increase)– 32 Increased– 2 Remained the same– 6 Decreased

• Significant reduction overall in Risk-Taking Behaviors– Developmental Asset-building programs appear to be gaining traction– Developmental Assets “immunizing” youth against Risk-Taking

Behaviors• Significant improvement in Key Developmental Assets

– Positive Peers [7176%]– Resistance [4651%]– Restraint [5256%]– Adult Role Models [3133%]

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Advancing Youth Futures

2011 Findings vs. 2006• Significant improvement in School- and Family-

Related Developmental AssetsSchool-Related– Caring School Climate [3638%]– School Boundaries [5256%]– Bonding to School [6570%]– Homework [5154%]Family-Related– Parent Involvement in Schools [3336%]– Family Boundaries [4950%]– Time at Home [6163%]– Family Support [6971%]

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Advancing Youth Futures

2011 Findings vs. 2006• Significant reduction in Substance Abusive Risk-

Taking BehaviorsAlcohol– Drunk in past 2 weeks [1611%]– Used in past 30 days [2618%]– Drove after drinking [96%]– Rode with drinking driver [3126%]Marijuana– Used in past 12 months [1816%]Tobacco– Smoked in past 30 days [1310%]Other Illicit Drugs (Cocaine, Heroin, Amphetamines, LSD and PCP)– Used once in past 12 months [86%]

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Advancing Youth Futures2011 Findings vs. 2006• Significant reduction in Anti-Social Risk-Taking Behaviors

– Hit someone [3225%]– In group fight [1813%]– In trouble with police [1614%]– Vandalism [1511%]– Shoplifted [1712%]– Attempted Suicide [1411%]– Depressed [1514%]– Eating Disorders [1412%]– Gambled [2819%]– Truant [2221%]– Threatened to harm others [2723%]

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Advancing Youth Futures

• Developmental Assets approach applied to reducing delinquent behavior in Midland County by Judge Dorene Allen

• Adopted evidence-based Developmental Asset-building programs among Midland County Court Wards

• Significant collaboration among community youth-serving agencies in providing Developmental Asset-building programs

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Advancing Youth Futures

• Foundations/United Way/Civic Clubs

• Midland County Schools (all districts)

• City and County Governments • Juvenile Care Center• Community Mental Health for

Central Michigan• Greater Midland Community

Centers (all locations)• West Midland Family Center• Creative 360• ROCK Youth Center

• Shelterhouse• Big Brothers/Big Sisters• Library• Midland Center for the Arts• Family & Children’s Services• Midland Area Partnership for Drug

Free Youth• Boy/Girl Scouts• 4-H• Faith-based Community• Private Providers• Others

Strong Collaboration among Midland County youth-serving funders and organizations

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Advancing Youth Futures

• Extending concept by applying it to improve youth health outcomes

• Address social determinants of Risk-Taking behaviors

• Focus on Prevention versus Treatment– Initial results are most encouraging

• Reductions in– Alcohol and drug influenced car crashes– Teen pregnancy and STD rates– Hospital admissions for depression, eating disorders and suicide

attempts

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Midland County Youth Master Plan

Physical HealthSocial,

Emotional & Spiritual Health

Education Basic Needs& Safety

Enhance parenting educationInform and engage the community

Increase access to youth programs and servicesIncrease collaboration and community partnerships

Build Developmental Assets in our youth

GOALS

THE BIG PICTURE

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Advancing Youth FuturesPoints to remember

• More Developmental Assets = Fewer Risk-Taking Behavior

• On average, Developmental Assets decline in adolescence

• Certain Developmental Assets affect Risk-Taking Behaviors more than others

• Youth-serving programs positively influence the level of Developmental Assets

• Participation in the Advancing Youth Futures system will improve adolescent outcomes within the community

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Advancing Youth Futures

How do you strengthen Developmental Assets for all young people?

• All young people need Developmental Assets• Everyone can build Developmental Assets• Building Developmental Assets is an ongoing

process• Relationships are crucial• Send consistent messages• Repeat the message – again and again

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Conduct Regression

Analysis

Conduct Developmental Assets Survey

Enhance/Develop Youth-

Serving Programs

Evaluate/Adjust Programs

(Developmental Assets Profile)

Track and Evaluate Youth

Outcomes

Advancing Youth Futures System Summary

~ 5 Years

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Advancing Youth Futures

• Recommendations for consideration– Complete Developmental Assets survey among 6th-

12th graders– Complete regression analysis to determine most

impactful Developmental Assets– Consult on/evaluate programmatic improvements

that promote desired Developmental Assets– Track adolescent behavioral progress– Repeat survey in ~5 years

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What questions may I address?

Advancing Youth Futures

For further information, contactRichard DolinskiThe Legacy Center for Community Success3200 James Savage RoadMidland, MI 48642Tel. 989.496.1425E-mail: rdolinski@tlc4cs.org

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Positive View of Personal Future

Acheivement Motivation

Honesty

Integrity

Bonding to School

Responsibility

School Engagement

Sense of Purpose

Restraint

Homework

Peaceful Conflict Resolution

Caring

Equality and Social Justice

Interpersonal Competence

Self-Esteerm

Personal Power

Resistance Skills

Cultural Competence

Planning & Decision Making

Reading for Pleasure

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

72

69

67

67

65

63

60

59

52

51

51

48

48

47

47

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46

41

30

27

75

74

70

71

70

65

67

64

56

54

54

49

48

51

51

48

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39

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Internal Developmental Assets 2011 Vs. 2006

Percent

2011 Results 2006 Results

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Positive Peer Influence

Family Support

Time at Home

Youth Programs

Safety

Religious Community

Service to Others

School Boundaries

High Expectations

Neighborhood Boundaries

Family Boundaries

Other Adult Relationships

Caring Neighborhoods

Caring School Climate

Positive Family Communications

Parent Involvement in Schools

Youth as Resources

Adult Role Models

Community Values Youth

Creative Activities

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

71

69

61

61

58

58

54

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36

33

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26

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76

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63

61

57

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39

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External Developmental Assets 2011 Vs. 2006

Percent

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2011 Results 2006 Results