The ASAP Center has two selected broad evidence-based practices (EPBs) that meet the needs of the majority of our Partners. We have found that these EBPs are useful in building and supporting interactive, community-based initiatives. They provide an accessible, easy-to-understand introduction to prevention, especially for people who are unfamiliar with prevention, who think it is too difficult, or who think they have no role to play. We focus many of our community-wide educational events around these two EBPs.

Asset Building

The Search Institute, a nonprofit, independent research organization in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has identified what it calls the "40 developmental assets." The assets are experiences and qualities that have been shown to have a positive influence on the lives and choices of youth and communities. The asset building framework is an evidencebased approach to prevention that has become the single most widely used approach to positive youth development (Search Institute, 2009). When using asset building, communities look at what assets their youth have and don't have. Then, the community plans activities that help build the assets that are lacking while further strengthening the assets that are there. The ASAP Center helps communities with all stages of implementing asset building.

The asset framework helps everyone take their role in helping young people thrive.  Some of the principles of asset building are:

• Everyone can build assets
• All young people need assets
• Relationships are key
• Asset building is an ongoing process
• Consistent messages are important
• Intentional repetition is important

Building assets helps people make good decisions and be competent, caring, and responsible. For more information on the assets and ideas for becoming an asset-builder, visit www.search-institute.org or call the ASAP Center at 513-458-6640.

Click here to view the 40 Developmental Assets Power Point Presentation.

Click here to view the Starting and Supporting Asset Building in Communities Power Point Presentation.

Click here to view the 40 Ways Anyone Can Build Assets Power Point Presentation.

Lifestyle Risk Reduction

One of the developmental asset categories most closely associated with alcohol and other drug use is “Boundaries and Expectations”.  The lifestyle risk reduction approach to prevention provides the information needed to establish healthy boundaries and expectations regarding the use of alcohol.  Based on the public health approach to preventing lifestyle related diseases like heart disease and certain types of cancer, it provides the information needed to assess personal risk and make choices that reduce an individual’s risk of experiencing health and impairment problems resulting from alcohol use.  The lifestyle risk reduction approach is useful across the lifespan and can be used with youth, teens, and adults of all ages.  For more information on the lifestyle risk reduction approach to prevention visit http://www.primeforlife.org/homepage.cfm?CFID=239948&CFTOKEN=69993310 or call the ASAP Center at 513-458-6640 or toll-free 888-310-4904.