09-24-1997 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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seeks to raise national consciousness about the urgency and feasibility of mobilizing individu- als. families, organizations, and communities to take positive action on behalf of all children and adolescents. Sixty -four Minnesota communities are already using the assets, often as a concep- tual basis for discussions, brainstorming, and planning within city departments, in staff meet- ings. in council workshops, and in community collaborations. Want to learn more? Search Institute's first annual HC • HY Confer- ence, October 30- November 1, 1997 in Min- neapolis, will offer policy makers an opportu- nity to learn more through workshops, practical sessions, and networking. You can request con- ference registration materials or a catalog of Search Institute resources by calling (612) "While local governments tend to focus on the economic and services infrastructure of a city, positive youth development highlights the 'human development infrastructure' of ' communities and relationships." 376 -8955 or (800) 888 -7828, or by visiting the Search Institute Web site at www.search- institute.org. Another way to learn more is through Search Institute's new periodical Assets: The Magazine of Ideas for Healthy Commu- nities £7 Healthy Youth. Published quarterly, this full -color magazine provides information, ideas. and resources to help individuals and organiza- tions create healthy communities for young people. To subscribe to Assets magazine, call (800) 869 -6882. Kay Hong is an associate editor at Search Institute, Minneapolis. The institute is an independent research and educational organization that advances the well- being of children and adolescents through applied re- search, evaluation, consultation, training, and the development of publications and practical resources. IDEAS FOR -CITY GOVERNMENT The insert in the center of this issue of Minnesota Cities magazine provides a complete list of the 40 developmental assets. Members of the League of Minnesota Cities Youth Development Subcommittee compiled the suggested ac- tions that policy makers and community leaders can take to build these assets in youth. The suggestions can be categorized into six general types of government action: • Shaping programs and services to advance the vision; • Examining internal practices; • Providing impetus and leadership; • Lending expertise and access; • Engaging in advocacy; and • Providing financial support. The range of roles for cities to play in creating healthy communities is highlighted by Search Institute President Peter L. Benson in his new book All Kids Are Our Kids. "City hall is an active partner in many of the existing local asset- building initiatives. In some cases, public officials be- come important conveners of stakeholders in the commu- nity. In others, they implement specific asset - building strat- egies through their public works, park and recreation, pub- lic awareness, community education, and other program areas." For exarnple, .in Winona, Minn., the community has in- corporated asset building into its child protection services. Child protection workers go through the list of assets with individual families to identify the positive things each family is doing for its children. The worker then helps the family identify activities that would help build more assets in the children's lives. Additional ideas for local government include: • Examining the role of city planning in either promoting or inhibiting asset building; -• Strengthening or developing ordinances that reduce or eliminate juvenile access to alcohol and tobacco; • Initiating community-wide efforts to name shared values and boundaries; • Partnering with other organizations in creating child- friendly public places and safe places for teenagers to gather; and ,• Incorporating asset- building approaches into law en- forcement and juvenile justice systems. As more and more communities begin their own initia- tives, opportunities grow for cities to seam from one an- other as well as to contribute innovative programs that make their communities healthier and more livable for everyone. Page 76 Aucus,- 1 997