Reframing Developmental Relationships
A set of tools organizations can use to reframe communications around developmental relationships and move toward becoming a relationship-rich organization.
Reframing Developmental Relationships is a set of tools that used together can help organizations continue their journey toward prioritizing and deepening the developmental relationships that all young people need to grow and thrive.
Virtually everyone in education and youth work agrees that relationships are vital. Yet as a society and in communities we continually underinvest in and even undermine developmental relationships — especially when it comes to young people from marginalized communities who most need and want them.
Relational Practice
Reframing Developmental Relationships
Resource Audience
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Three Tools for Reframing Developmental Relationships
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This report is the result of a two-year study from FrameWorks Institute. It calls for “a profoundly different orientation toward relationships and—specifically—how our society should approach them collectively, through policies and programs.” It outlines seven tested recommendations for communicating developmental relationships in a way that moves the public beyond preconceptions of relationships toward new, broader understandings of—and investments in—the kinds of relationships young people need to thrive.
Download Report here
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This qualitative study looks at the communication challenges that emerge in the gap between researchers’ understanding of developmental relationships and public understandings of relationships in young people’s lives.
Download Report here
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This toolkit provides guidance for communicators on what points to emphasize and what to leave unsaid — for experts, advocates, and practitioners to make an effective case for investing in relationships.
Find the toolkit here
Related Resources for School and Youth Program Staff
Resources
Navigating By Our Stars (E2E)
Reflect on your deeply held values as an educator.
Resources
Infusing Trust-Building into Meetings
This activity helps you plan a "science fair" celebrating the unique sparks of the young people in your care.
Podcast
Rooted in Relationships: Episode 1.3 Krista Mehari
Dr. Krista Mehari - Engaging youth and leveraging community strengths for systemic change. The importance of engaging communities to helping young people thrive
Related Resources for School and Youth Organization Leaders
Activity
Activating Young People’s Web of Support
Help young people use a networking log to enact a plan for professional outreach.
Video
Parents Get It Webinar
Parents Get It: Teachers are Important Partners in Young People's Growth presented by Dr. Ben Houltberg and Dr. Kara Hirano on June 7th, 2023
Tool / Playbook
The Educator-to-Educator Relationships Toolkit
A series of briefs that highlight key findings and reflection opportunities for leaders and staff to learn about how to build a relationship-rich organization.