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vi Creating Asset Rich Environments for Children and Youth Executive Summary Creating Asset Rich Environments for Children and Youth: A Call to Action In Ventura County, too many of our young people are engaging in high-risk behaviors: drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes and marijuana, using other drugs - and dying. Too many of them are also engaging in criminal activity and joining gangs. These problems are not overstated. The results of the California Department of Education’s 2005-2006 California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS), which is administered by local school districts, are alarming. It reveals that alcohol use among 7th, 9th, and 11th graders in Ventura County exceeds that of students statewide and that 4,500 students out of 19,563 surveyed (23%) reported they recently engaged in binge drinking behavior. This Call to Action reflects the vision of a group of community members who are dedicated to improving the lives and the outcomes for Ventura County’s children and youth. We believe that every child should be happy and have a productive future, achieved through healthy lifestyle choices and preparation for success in all areas of life. School leaders share this vision. In 2005, Dr. Charles Weis, Superintendent of Ventura County Office of Education, appointed a task force of community leaders to form BASICO, Building Assets Strengthening Individuals and Communities Commission. BASICO members met regularly during 2006 and 2007 to find ways to energize and engage communities in supporting the healthy development of our children and youth. In developing this Call to Action, we explored the research and information on concerns and risks that our children and youth face today. Our work led us to identify three critical challenges that prevent our young people from reaching their potential to lead healthy, successful lives. Challenge A: Too many of our children and youth are using alcohol, tobacco and other drugs and engaging in “binge drinking. As self-reported in the CHKS, alcohol use is by far the biggest drug problem among Ventura County’s children and youth. Children as young as age 10 – 5th grade students – are drinking alcohol, and the numbers increase for older age groups. Our children are “binge drinking” – consuming five or more alcoholic drinks within a few hours. Our young people are smoking cigarettes and experimenting with marijuana – with some admitting to regular use. Where do our children get alcohol and tobacco? They get it from adults. Challenge B: Too may of our children and youth are bullied, especially at school. People often dismiss bullying among kids as a normal part of growing up. However, there is nothing innocent about bullying. In the 2005-06 CHKS data, almost half of our 5th grade students (46%) and one in six of 11th grade students (13%) reported they were pushed, shoved, slapped, hit or kicked by someone at school who wasn’t just kidding around. We tend to look the other way when children complain of being bullied and then are dismayed when one of them takes a drastic and destructive action to end the bullying. Challenge C: Too many of our children and youth feel disconnected from school and their community. According to local CHKS data, our community and our schools in particular, are not doing a very good job of helping children and youth feel they are worthwhile and that they belong. Only about half of our 7th grade students (45%) reported feeling connected to their school in the 2005-2006 CHKS. The rate of feeling disconnected increases at the high school level. When our youth feel that they do not belong in school or they think we do not care, they are more likely to drop out of school. Some feel so hopeless and alone that they think life is not worth living. Are you concerned? Are you ready to take action? Will you join us?
Creating Asset Rich Environments for Children and Youth vii These challenges are daunting and serious, and they affect all our kids – rich, middle class or poor, across genders and all ethnicities - and are visible in all parts of Ventura County. BASICO Commission believes that the solutions are within our grasp. We can change the outcomes for our children if we work together to create asset rich environments for youth. We just need to take action - to take that first step. BASICO is committed to bringing the message of hope through youth asset development to every adult and child within our community. Our research on student success, resiliency, and youth asset development led us to adopt three strategies to reduce alcohol and drug use, reduce bullying, and reconnect with our children and youth. These strategies are surprisingly simple – every one of us can implement them – and research shows they make a world of difference in the lives of young people. Together, these three strategies are the basis for Creating Asset Rich Environments for Children and Youth: Promote caring adult relationships with children and youth ◆◆ ◆◆ ◆◆ Support connections to others Be someone who is “there” for youth Listen non-judgmentally Facilitate meaningful participation for young people ◆◆ ◆◆ Involve youth in relevant, engaging and interesting activities Provide opportunities for responsibility and contribution Foster high expectations ◆◆ ◆◆ ◆◆ ◆◆ Communicate consistent messages that children and youth can and will succeed Believe in youth’s innate resilience Offer youth-centered support Focus on strengths (WestEd, 2003) Promote caring adult relationships When adults in the community care about a child or youth and take a moment to ask how he or she is doing, our children gain a sense of value, belonging, and self-worth. There is nothing more powerful than knowing someone notices you and that someone cares. You do not need to be a community activist or even belong to an organization that is involved in youth development. You can start by saying “hello” and taking a positive interest in a young person anywhere in your community. Facilitate meaningful participation Children learn by doing. Adults create opportunities for children and youth to be productive at home, at school, and in the community by asking for their ideas and involving them in activities that they care about. We must also be willing to refrain from giving advice too quickly and instead become partners in working with our youth. As adults, we know that we try harder and we are more engaged when we believe someone is counting on us and is proud of the things we accomplish. We need to let our children and youth know that what they contribute is important and appreciated. Foster high expectations A wise person once said, “Nothing succeeds like success.” Our children and youth want to be successful and feel proud of what they achieve. High expectations are consistent messages that there is a standard to meet, one that can be achieved. By whatever method, we must convey to our children and youth that they can reach the goal. They must know that when they fall short, a caring adult will be there to acknowledge their effort, provide guidance, and encourage them to keep trying.
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