1. Advancing Youth Futures SM © The Legacy Center for Community Success Child Abuse Council Spring Conference North Central Michigan College Petoskey, Michigan April 25, 2014

2. 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 2

3. 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 3

4. 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 4

5. Advancing Youth Futures What 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 5

6. Advancing Youth Futures 2 Studies in Midland County (2006 and 2011) Demographics of 2011 Study Participants (Midland County Public School 6 th -12 th 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% 6

7. 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 7

8. 2006 Results 2011 Results More Developmental Assets Results in Fewer Risk-Taking Behaviors 8

9. 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 9

10. Advancing Youth Futures How 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 10

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12. Advancing Youth Futures Assets grow from birth through 6 th grade owing to positive influence of “institutions” Assets decline from 6 th -12 th 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” 12

13. 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 13

14. 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 14

15. Regression Analysis Results Top Tier Assets Self-esteem Sense of Purpose Positive Peers Risk-Taking Behaviors Depression Suicidal Behavior Eating Disorder 15

16. 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 16

17. 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 17

18. 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 18

19. 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 19

20. Laurence Steinberg, Temple University (2011) Higher Risk Preference Lower Risk Preference 20

21. 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 [71  76%] – Resistance [46  51%] – Restraint [52  56%] – Adult Role Models [31  33%] 21

22. Advancing Youth Futures 2011 Findings vs. 2006 Significant improvement in School- and Family- Related Developmental Assets School-Related – Caring School Climate [36  38%] – School Boundaries [52  56%] – Bonding to School [65  70%] – Homework [51  54%] Family-Related – Parent Involvement in Schools [33  36%] – Family Boundaries [49  50%] – Time at Home [61  63%] – Family Support [69  71%] 22

23. Advancing Youth Futures 2011 Findings vs. 2006 Significant reduction in Substance Abusive Risk- Taking Behaviors Alcohol – Drunk in past 2 weeks [16  11%] – Used in past 30 days [26  18%] – Drove after drinking [9  6%] – Rode with drinking driver [31  26%] Marijuana – Used in past 12 months [18  16%] Tobacco – Smoked in past 30 days [13  10%] Other Illicit Drugs (Cocaine, Heroin, Amphetamines, LSD and PCP) – Used once in past 12 months [8  6%] 23

24. Advancing Youth Futures 2011 Findings vs. 2006 Significant reduction in Anti-Social Risk-Taking Behaviors – Hit someone [32  25%] – In group fight [18  13%] – In trouble with police [16  14%] – Vandalism [15  11%] – Shoplifted [17  12%] – Attempted Suicide [14  11%] – Depressed [15  14%] – Eating Disorders [14  12%] – Gambled [28  19%] – Truant [22  21%] – Threatened to harm others [27  23%] 24

25. 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 25

26. 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 26

27. 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 27

28. Midland County Youth Master Plan Physical Health Social, Emotional & Spiritual Health Education Basic Needs & Safety Enhance parenting education Inform and engage the community Increase access to youth programs and services Increase collaboration and community partnerships Build Developmental Assets in our youth GOALS 28 THE BIG PICTURE

29. Advancing Youth Futures Points 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 29

30. 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 30

31. 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 31

32. Advancing Youth Futures Recommendations for consideration – Complete Developmental Assets survey among 6 th -12 th 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 32

33. What questions may I address? Advancing Youth Futures For further information, contact Richard Dolinski The Legacy Center for Community Success 3200 James Savage Road Midland, MI 48642 Tel. 989.496.1425 E-mail: rdolinski@tlc4cs.org 33

34. 2011 Results 2006 Results Developmental Assets 34

35. 2011 Results 2006 Resu l ts 35