The utilization of programs and strategies grounded in best-practice research is foundational to ACYI’s approach. There is now solid evidence that certain “risk factors” in early childhood and adolescence can increase the likelihood – although not necessarily cause – difficulties for children that can stay with them into adulthood. In fact, nearly half of children entering kindergarten in the United States already have at least one risk factor that may impact their development and growth.
The good news is that in addition to experiencing risk factors, children also experience “protective factors” – forces that positively impact their eventual health, academic and life success. Protective factors come from within themselves, from their families and from their communities. Protective factors that can boost a child’s chances of healthy development include social and conflict management skills, warm supportive relationships with parents and other adults, and connections to family, school and community.
Research has shown that when programs are directed at risk and protective factors it is both feasible and cost-effective to address many positive youth outcomes using a coordinated set of programs. This process includes the following:
- Use data to identify the problems to be targeted and the modifiable risk and protective factors associated with those problems.
- Strategically select evidence-based programs and strategies that can have meaningful impact on the risk and protective factors for an identified population.
- Monitor and evaluate programs and strategies to ensure that they are having the desired effect and make adjustments to interventions as needed.
- Educate professionals and the public about the importance of prevention and how to effectively implement it.
Schools, community organizations, families and youth leaders have an important role to play in strengthening these protective factors to increase positive child outcomes.
