Developmental Relationships Boosters

Developmental relationships are vital connections that help young people understand who they are and learn how to positively engage with the world. When young people experience strong developmental relationships, they move beyond just getting by—they thrive. The benefits are clear: improved academic outcomes and wellbeing, a stronger sense of personal responsibility, and reduced involvement in high-risk behaviors.

In order to maximize this impact, it’s important for adults to go deeper into the Developmental Relationships Framework—not just seeing it as a checklist, but as a map that helps navigate the complexities of supporting youth. By understanding how and when to act on each element, adults can meet young people where they are and respond to what they need most. Going deeper empowers you to be more intentional, effective, and adaptive in your approach—making your efforts more rewarding and impactful for both you and the youth you support.

Explore the Elements of the Developmental Relationships Framework

Search Institute offers five, 90-minute sessions to explore each of the elements that make up the Developmental Relationship Framework, creating space to reflect on current practices, explore strategies and strengthen participants’ ability to be more intentional about building relationships with each and every young person.