Search Institute & Developmental Assets

Search Institute partners with organizations to conduct and apply research that promotes positive youth development and advances equity. They have identified 40 positive supports and strengths that young people need to succeed. Half of the assets focus on the relationships and opportunities they need in their families, schools, and communities (external assets). The remaining assets focus on the social-emotional strengths, values, and commitments that are nurtured within young people (internal assets). As assets increase, unhealthy risk-taking behaviors decrease and thriving behaviors increase.

Using Search Institute’s Developmental Asset Profile survey, Discover You™ participants increased in all eight Developmental Asset categories: support, empowerment, boundaries and expectations, constructive use of time, commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies and positive identity.

In-house Surveys

In addition to partnering with the Search Institute, Discover You™ has historically surveyed its participants with an in-house survey, which captures topic-based outcomes as well as anecdotal information. 

Overall, 82.5% of participants have gained social and emotional skills, 81.25% have gained in self worth, and 77% have gained life skills.

Other Outcomes