The secret to helping children and youth grow into happy, healthy, and responsible adults isn’t really a secret at all. Simply make a point to connect with young people: Get to know them, talk to them, understand them, help them, and build relationships with them.

Research from Search Institute defines five elements of relationships that have a powerful, positive impact on young people. These five elements make up their Developmental Relationship framework. Children and teenagers who have strong relationships are more resilient in the face of stress and trauma. Unfortunately, many young people do not have enough of these strong relationships with adults. According to Search Institute Surveys, about 1 in 5 young people do not have any strong Developmental Relationships present in their lives.

We have the opportunity to build strong, meaningful relationships with youth in our community when we implement the Developmental Relationships framework.

This workshop will introduce you to ideas on how each of us can contribute to the health and well-being of all children and youth in Bartholomew County. During this workshop, you will:

• Review local data on the well-being of youth in Bartholomew County

• Hear from local teens about what they need from adults

• Identify and describe factors that contribute to the healthy development of young people

• Discover the critical role that relationships with adults play in the healthy development of young people

• Identify the five elements of strong relationships with youth

• Share ideas for strengthening relationships with youth

• Begin planning your own strategies for strengthening your interactions with youth