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Community Alliance 4 Youth Success Youth Committee. Jennifer Heronema Coalition Director. www.drugfreemidland.org facebook.com/ca4ys. The CA4YS Mission.
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Community Alliance 4 Youth Success Youth Committee Jennifer Heronema Coalition Director • www.drugfreemidland.org • facebook.com/ca4ys
The CA4YS Mission The coalition collaborates with other youth-serving organizations to build developmental assets, reduce harmful substance use and other risk-taking behaviors, and improve the health and educational outcomes of Midland County Youth.
Youth Committee • 10-15 students from local middle and high schools • Meet 2 x per month plan activities • Two-pronged approach to prevention: • Share information with parents and other youth about the dangers of substance abuse (we do not preach) • Share information with parents about the role of Developmental Assets in preventing risk-taking behavior
Creative Pieces Magnets Posters
Developmental Assets • Developed by the Search Institute of Minneapolis • 40 Positive Character Traits (also known as Assets) that all teens (12-18 years) should possess • The more Assets a person has, the less likely they are to participate in risk-taking behavior and the more likely they are to thrive.
Risk-Taking Behaviors • Survey also assesses 24 Risk-Taking Behaviors Substance Abuse Anti-Social Behaviors Violence/Fighting Vandalism/Shoplifting Sexual Activity Suicide Eating Disorders Depression Gambling Truancy • Tobacco • Alcohol • Inhalants • Prescription Drugs • Illicit Drugs
Thriving Indicators • These thriving indicators are commonly valued and accepted as important elements of healthy development: Exhibits Leadership Resists Danger Delays Gratification Overcomes Adversity Succeeds in School Helps Others Values Diversity Maintains Good Health
What Matters Most • Regression Analysis indicates that the most impactful Developmental Assets among Midland youth are • Positive Peers • Restraint • Resistance (Refusing to participate when offered) • Adult Role Models • Developmental Assets that most directly affect Positive Peers are • Creative Activities • Youth Activities • Faith-Based Outreach
Plans for the Future • Additional campaigns throughout the school year (e-cigarettes, alcohol, etc.) • Recruit more youth to join the committee…seek to have all schools represented. • Youth Committee would like to present at MPS PTO meetings in the fall.