Thriving Youth

Supporting the Social Emotional Wellbeing, Health, and Resiliency of Children and Families
For youth to be successful academically and find fulfillment in life, they need to develop social and life assets that enable them to adapt to change, persist through challenge, innovate, and create for solutions, and advocate for themselves through adulthood. Developing these skills begin at birth and continues through adulthood. Youth who develop and nurture these characteristics are more likely to engage in their community, develop healthy self-esteem, and experience success.

Too often, children and youth shoulder the effects of adverse experiences or other family stress that precludes them from developing these assets. These experiences, which include financial insecurity, substance abuse, lack of medical care, violence and dysfunction, and inadequate food and nutrition, can have lasting adverse effects on an individual's functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual wellbeing.


Levers for Success
Of the 20,000 children, ages birth to 18, living in the Aspen to Parachute region, it is estimated that about 20-25% are in environments with chronic family stress and adverse experiences.

ACF’s goal is that all youth develop the social and life assets that help be successful and find fulfillment in life. Meeting this goal requires a multipronged approach that pushes on three key levers:
      A. HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF YOUTH AND FAMILIES
      B. INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORT FOR AT-RISK YOUTH
      C. EQUITY AND INCLUSION


Social and Life Assets Resource Library

CCI Character Asset Tool Kit                                                                                      SAMHSA Website ACES
Social Emotional Learning Field Guide
The SCE Foundation
SAMHSA’s Trauma and Justice Strategic Initiative Report, July 2014