The Network incorporates the research findings of the Search Institute's developmental asset approach and Dr. William Hansen's mediator research. Search Institute has identified 40 factors that are essential to young people's success. They are called the 40 developmental assets. Assets are the opportunities, skills, relationships, values, and self-perceptions that all young people need in their lives. The more assets a young person has, the better.
Assets help protect young people from making many harmful and unhealthy choices.
Youth with more assets are less likely than youth with fewer assets to engage in risky behaviors, such as alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, violence, early sexual activity, gambling and shoplifting. Assets also have the power to promote. Having more assets also increases the chances that young people will have positive attitudes and behaviors. Tessa has shown horses in 4-H for nine years. She plays basketball, and works at The Nile Theater and the Panhandle Substance Abuse Council.