Youth Development Outcomes are the knowledge, the skills, behavior and personal attributes young people need to be healthy and succeed.

Young people demonstrate a positive identity when they have a sense of personal well-being and a sense of connection and commitment to others.

Young people demonstrate ability when they gain knowledge, skills and attitudes that prepare them for adulthood.

Safety & Structure: A perception that one is safe in the world and that daily events are somewhat predictable.

• Feels safe at home

• Feels safe at school

• Feels safe in the neighborhood

• Perceives predictability of key aspects of life

Self-Worth: A perception that one is a "good person" who contributes to self and others.

• Has positive self-concept: "I'm okay"

• Able to identify three things that one likes about oneself

• Able to cite three satisfying accomplishments

• Perceives that one is liked and respected by others

• Demonstrates a healthy sense of humor

Mastery & Future: A perception that one is "making it" and will succeed in the future.

• Perceives ability to learn, accomplish and contribute

• Able to identify three future goals and how to attain them

• Able to identify three recent accomplishments

• Perceives ability to survive into future

• Perceives ability to thrive in future

Belonging & Membership: A perception that one values and is valued by others in the family and community.

• Has one or more close friends

• Interacts easily with peers

• Forms mutually supportive relationships with family members

• Perceives belonging to family

• Perceives ability to thrive in future

Responsibility & Autonomy: A perception that one has some control over daily events and is accountable for one's actions and for the consequences of others.

• Consistently takes responsibility for own actions

• Shows respect for others

• Shows compassion for others

• Does not lie or cheat

• Understands difference between right and wrong

Spirituality & Self-Awareness: A perception that one is unique and is intimately attached to extended families, cultural groups, communities, higher deities and/or principles.

• Identifies with cultural group, higher deity and/or philosophy

• Believes that one is unique; with unique personal characteristics

• Regularly attends church, mosque, synagogue or other institution

• Understands, appreciates and reflects on own emotions

• Expresses own ideas and opinions

Physical Health: The ability and motivation to act in ways that best ensure current and future physical health for self and others.

• Able to perform daily tasks

• Exercises regularly

• Weight proportionate to height

• Abstains from alcohol,

• Low incidence of illness tobacco and other drugs

• Accesses helping resources

• Abstains from sex or

• Eats healthy diet regularly uses contraceptives

Mental Health: The ability and motivation to respond affirmatively to and cope with positive and adverse situations, to reflect on one's emotions and surroundings and to engage in leisure and fun.

• Regularly engages in recreation

• Has hobbies

• Identifies, pursues constructive alternatives to stressful situations

• Demonstrates coping skills

• Demonstrates conflict resolution skills

Intellectual Ability: The ability and motivation to learn in school and in other settings, to gain the basic knowledge needed to graduate high school, to use critical thinking, to be creative, to use problem solving and expressive skills and to conduct independent study.

• Consistently attends school

• Communicates well orally and in writing

• Able to apply core concepts from studies to daily life

• Plans, solves problems and makes decisions

Employability: The ability and motivation to gain the functional and organizational skills necessary for employment, including an understanding of careers and options and the steps necessary to reach goals.

• Schedules time and plans ahead

• Works collaboratively with others

• Understands and operates effectively within systems

• Monitors and corrects performance

• Chooses and applies technologies appropriate to task

Civic & Social: The ability and motivation to work collaboratively with others for the larger good and to sustain caring friendships and relationships with others.

• Demonstrates ethical behaviors toward others

• Takes responsibility for own actions and their consequences

• Manages interpersonal conflict

• Regularly makes contributions to individuals and organizations

• Reflects on and refines own values

Cultural Ability: The ability and motivation to respect and affirmatively respond to differences among groups and individuals of diverse backgrounds, interests and traditions.

• Identifies with cultural group

• Has one or more close friends of different race or ethnicity

• Listens to and respects opinions and needs of others

• Appreciates / respects differences among individuals and groups

SOURCE: AED/Center for Youth Development and Policy Research