Survey cites need for youth development

It takes a communitywide effort to implement 40 developmental assets to prepare youths to be responsible, productive, healthy and happy citizens.

That's according to the Search Institute, which provided knowledge and resources to teachers, social workers and city officials Thursday in Cape Girardeau and Jackson.

A community survey was completed by the United Way of Southeast Missouri and the Community Caring Council to assess the community's biggest problems. One of the main concerns was family issues, particularly youth development.

Both organizations provided funding for Susan Allen, a representative for the Search Institute, to present the "40 Developmental Assets," which are factors that are critical for young people's successful growth and development.

Divided into eight different areas, the assets included support, empowerment, boundaries and expectations, constructive use of time, commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies and positive identity.

"The key is to get all sectors of the community involved in developing our youths," said Nancy Jernigan, executive director of the United Way. "Schools are a big part of it, our kids are with teachers more than they are with us."

Allen told the teachers they need to get more involved in their student's lives.

"The more positive experiences children have in their lives, the greater the likelihood they will achieve success," she said.

A scientific study was to determine how effective implementing the Search Institute's developmental assets into a child's life was. The results found the more assets in a child's life will result in positive and healthy behaviors, which means the child is less likely to have problems with alcohol, drug use or violent activities.

Community Caring Council coordinator Kay Azuma said a developmental asset survey has been taken by seventh- and eighth-grade students in Jackson and Cape Girardeau.

The survey consisted of 150 questions relating to home and school life, drug and alcohol use and other issues facing middle school students.

"We will get the results back sometime in December," Azuma said. The Search Institute will analyze the results to determine what developmental asset areas need improvement.

"No family, community or school is perfect," Allen said. "But what young people experience in their surroundings is real to them. We want to make sure we're raising healthy and happy kids."

Allen said sometimes there is a negative portrayal of young people but in all actuality, today's youths are facing a tough world.

"Did you know that youth in America have a 16 times greater chance of death by a handgun than any other industrialized nation?" she asked.

Denise Stewart, co-chairman of the youth development committee, said the developmental assets should be a long-lasting initiative.

"We want this to be enduring work and we want the community to remember this initiative long after it was started," she said.

Allen said each person should think about one small asset they can implement to change a young person's life.

"There is potential for one individual to help, heal, support, challenge and change the life of a young person," she said.

jfreeze@semissourian.com