The Town of Amherst Youth Board, working closely with the Amherst, Sweet Home and Williamsville Central School Districts, has to date, administered several Search Institute Wellness Surveys of Student Attitudes and Behaviors. The survey results are used as a basis for long-range program planning to positively impact on the lives of our community’s young people and their families.
The result has identified 40 developmental assets, or building blocks, that enhance the health and well-being of young people and assist them in being successful at home, school and in the community. The more “assets” that young people have , the less risky behavior they will exhibit. Assets have been identified for each age grouping: infant, toddler, pre-school, elementary school and adolescent.
Help kids grow healthy and promote developmental assets.
- Feel loved and supported by family.
- Can communicate positively and talk openly with parents.
- Has 3 other positive adults (besides parents) in their life.
- Has neighbors that care about them.
- School provides a caring, encouraging environment.
- Parents are involved in school.
- Adults value youth in community.
- Young person is given useful roles in the community.
- Young person helps others 1 hour per week or more.
- Feels safe at school, home and in their neighborhood.
- Family has clear rules and consequences and knows whereabouts at all times.
- School provides clear rules and boundaries.
- Neighbors watch and report young people’s behavior.
- Adults act in a positive and responsible way.
- Young person’s friends act in a responsible way.
- Parents encourage them to do well.
- Spends 3 hours a week or more in music, arts, or theatre.
- Spends 3 hours a week or more in sports, clubs or organizations.
- Spends 1 hour per week or more in religious activities.
- Only hangs out with friends with nothing to do two or less nights a week.
- Wants to do well in school.
- Participates in class.
- Does one hour or more of homework each day.
- Cares about his/her school.
- Reads for fun 3 or more hours per week.
- Places high value on helping other people.
- Believes in equality and helping hungry/needy.
- Acts on convictions and stands up for his/her beliefs.
- Tells the truth even though it may not be easy.
- Accepts and takes personal responsibility.
- Believes it is important to be drug free and not sexually active.
- Knows how to plan ahead and make choices.
- Shows empathy, sensitivity and respects the feeling of others.
- Knows about and feels okay with other cultures.
- Resists negative peer pressure and dangerous situations.
- Resolves problems without the use of violence.
- Feels he or she has control over what happens to them.
- High sense of self-esteem.
- Feels that they have a purpose in life.
- Optimistic about his or her personal future and plans
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