DLN Consulting, Inc. Helps Plan Facility Needs

When the Healthy Williston Healthy Youth organization needed someone to facilitate a planning meeting, they called on DLN Consulting, Inc.  Meeting facilitation is just one of the many services offered by DLN Consulting, Inc.

Healthy Williston Healthy Youth is a group of key citizens in Williston, ND who have embraced a philosophy to support the positive development of youth in their community.

The program is modeled after an initiative promoted by Search Institute's Healthy Communities Healthy Youth program that has identified 40 developmental assets representing positive experiences and characteristics for young people.  Search Institute research has found that these assets are powerful influences that protect youth from problem behaviors by promoting positive attitudes.

An integral component of Healthy Williston Healthy Youth's plan of action is to identify and promote the development and/or enhancement of local facilities to fill the unmet needs of a healthy community.  Deb Nelson led approximately 35 community members in the process of assessing the activity needs that could enhance existing facilities or be implemented into a new facility for youth and their families.  The community members participated in a series of brainstorming activities, small group discussions and large group consensus-building activities to achieve its goal.  Representatives included members from city government, health care agencies, businesses, schools, the faith community, community service organizations, law enforcement, youth and concerned parents and citizens.