Across the nation, Search has surveyed more than two million students in grades 6-12, and the data shows that the assets are powerful influences on the behavior of teenagers. Assets not only promote positive behaviors, they also protect teens; in other words, the more assets a youth reports having, the less likely a teen is to make harmful or unhealthy choices. The researchers at Search Institute have found that most young people have an average of 19 assets. Although Search recognizes that there is no "magic number" of assets teens should have, the data suggest that 31 assets is a good goal. The key is to intentionally help teens develop and build assets. Asset building can occur anywhere, anytime, everyday. A few thoughts to consider:

• consistent messages are important,
• all youth need more assets,
• strong relationships between adults and youth, teens and their peers, and teens and children are central to asset building,
• asset building is a life long process, from birth to the golden years,
• consistent messages are important, from home to school, to media, to community,
• intentionally build assets, discuss the importance of each asset, and develop caring relationships with teens.

You can build assets at home, in your neighborhood, at school, and in your community. Contact your Regional Adolescent Health Coordinator to learn more about the power of the 40 developmental assets today.