--- title: "Behind the Framework: How the Developmental Relationships Framework Was Co-Created" description: Discover how the Developmental Relationships Framework was co-created to help adults build stronger, meaningful relationships with youth, enhancing their growth and resilience. image: https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hubfs/BehindTheFramework-Blolg.png --- Theme + Migration = $1489 (Pay for the Theme Only). [Learn More.](https://www.lpd-themes.com/migration) [![hlogo](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/hlogo.webp?width=187&height=90&name=hlogo.webp "hlogo")](https://searchinstitute.org) - [BLOG](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/) - [DONATE](https://searchinstitute.org/donate) - [CONTACT](https://searchinstitute.org/contact) - [RESEARCH](https://searchinstitute.org/research) - [SOLUTIONS](https://searchinstitute.org/solutions) - [INSIGHTS](https://searchinstitute.org/insights) - [FUNDERS & PARTNERS](https://searchinstitute.org/funders-partners) - [ABOUT](https://searchinstitute.org/about) [RESOURCE HUB](https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub) [Why Relationships Matter and How to Get Started](https://searchinstitute.org/relationships-matter-get-started) Understand the foundations of developmental relationships and the power you have to strengthen those relationships for all young people to learn and grow. [Resources Tailored to Your Role](https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub/search?query=&page=1&configure%5BenablePersonalization%5D=true&configure%5BuserToken%5D=anonymous-2aec4746-2f17-46a7-871b-a10e30f1f2f7&configure%5BclickAnalytics%5D=true&hierarchicalMenu%5Btaxonomy.lvl0%5D=Resource%20Audience) Tools to support everyone who works with young people — educators, youth program workers, schools and youth program leaders, and community members [Resources Related to the Setting Where Relationships Take Place](https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub/search?query=&page=1&configure%5BenablePersonalization%5D=true&configure%5BuserToken%5D=anonymous-2aec4746-2f17-46a7-871b-a10e30f1f2f7&configure%5BclickAnalytics%5D=true&hierarchicalMenu%5Btaxonomy.lvl0%5D=Setting) Young people thrive when they experience a broader web of relationships, build strong relationships in a class or program, at home, and across your organization. [Resources on Key Topics](https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub/search?query=&page=1&configure%5BenablePersonalization%5D=true&configure%5BuserToken%5D=anonymous-2aec4746-2f17-46a7-871b-a10e30f1f2f7&configure%5BclickAnalytics%5D=true&hierarchicalMenu%5Btaxonomy.lvl0%5D=Topics) Relationships are key across several disciplines including family systems, social and emotional development, social capital, and community development. [Resources in Your Favorite Format](https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub/search?resourceTypes=Activity,Book,Guide,Journal%20Article,Measure%20/%20Assessment%20/%20Evaluation,Relational%20Practice,Report%20/%20Brief,Tool%20/%20Playbook,Video) Explore tools, frameworks, activities, guides, measures, and other research-based resources to build strong relationships with all young people. [![hlogo](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/hlogo.webp?width=187&height=90&name=hlogo.webp "hlogo")](https://searchinstitute.org) [![hlogo](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/hlogo.webp?width=187&height=90&name=hlogo.webp "hlogo")](https://searchinstitute.org) - BLOG - SHOP - DONATE - CONTACT - [RESEARCH](https://searchinstitute.org/research) - [SOLUTIONS](https://searchinstitute.org/solutions) - [INSIGHTS](https://searchinstitute.org/insights) - [FUNDERS & PARTNERS](https://searchinstitute.org/funders-partners) - [ABOUT](https://searchinstitute.org/about) [![hlogo](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/hlogo.webp?width=187&height=90&name=hlogo.webp "hlogo")](https://searchinstitute.org) - [RESEARCH](https://searchinstitute.org/research) - [SOLUTIONS](https://searchinstitute.org/solutions) - [INSIGHTS](https://searchinstitute.org/insights) - [FUNDERS & PARTNERS](https://searchinstitute.org/funders-partners) - [ABOUT](https://searchinstitute.org/about) - [RESOURCE HUB](https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub) # Blog July 15, 2025 2 Minutes Read By : [Search Institute](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/search-institute) Topics Developmental Relationships Research Developmental Assets Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Youth Programs Provide Support Family Engagement Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) SI Spotlight Social Capital Share Power Solutions Youth Thriving Education / School Expand Possibilities Student Voice Challenge Growth Summer Scholars Thriving Youth Voice Express Care Sparks Data Insights Faith Field Partner Spotlight LGBTQ+ Workshops Relationship Ready Schools Conversation Starters Sports Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) # Behind the Framework: How the Developmental Relationships Framework Was Co-Created [![Share on twitter](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/x-twitter-color.png?width=24&name=x-twitter-color.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.searchinstitute.org%2Fbehind-the-framework-how-the-developmental-relationships-framework-was-co-created%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.searchinstitute.org%2Fbehind-the-framework-how-the-developmental-relationships-framework-was-co-created%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on linkedin](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.searchinstitute.org%2Fbehind-the-framework-how-the-developmental-relationships-framework-was-co-created%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on facebook](https://7528309.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528309/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.searchinstitute.org%2Fbehind-the-framework-how-the-developmental-relationships-framework-was-co-created%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) ![](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hubfs/BehindTheFramework-Blolg.png) [Developmental Relationships](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/developmental-relationships) [Thriving](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/thriving) # Behind the Framework: How the Developmental Relationships Framework Was Co-Created By [Search Institute](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/search-institute) July 15 2025 2 Minutes Read At Search Institute, we believe that nothing has more impact in the life of a child than positive relationships. This simple but powerful insight is the root of our work on the [Developmental Relationships Framework](https://info.searchinstitute.org/developmental-relationships-framework-download), a framework that has now helped hundreds of thousands of adults build stronger, more meaningful relationships with the young people they serve. But where did the framework come from? How was it created? The answer is a story of collaboration, curiosity, and a commitment to bridging research and practice. Why Relationships? A Challenge from the Field The spark for this work came from a simple but striking observation. We heard a common refrain during interviews with 55 leaders of youth-serving organizations across the country:  > *We know relationships matter. We talk about them all the time. But we don’t have clear guidance on how to build them—and we aren’t measuring them.* This gap between belief and practice inspired us to ask two driving questions: 1. **What research-based resources could help adults build relationships that support youth learning and development?** 2. **When adults use those resources, do relationships and youth outcomes improve?** Co-Creating Through Research and Practice From the beginning, we believed that youth voice, practitioner wisdom, and developmental science each had to shape the answers. Our process started in 2013 with: - A review of decades of interdisciplinary research on relationships. - New analyses of Search Institute’s extensive datasets on youth development. - 18 focus groups with youth, parents, educators, and youth workers, intentionally inclusive across race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and community type. > What emerged was a clear insight: caring about youth is necessary, but not enough. Truly developmental relationships also challenge growth, provide support, share power, and expand possibilities. A Framework for Action Over the past decade, the Developmental Relationships Framework has been shaped and strengthened through real-world partnerships and continuous learning. More than 50,000 young people and thousands of educators and youth practitioners have contributed to its evolution, across schools, out-of-school programs, community organizations, and systems. Together, we’ve tested, adapted, and localized the Framework to reflect diverse lived experiences, cultural contexts, and emerging needs in youth development. We are working continuously to ensure the framework bridges across cultural and systemic differences. Importantly, we’ve learned that adult perceptions often differ from youth experiences, making youth feedback critical to relational practice. The result is a practical, strengths-based framework built for real-world use: - **5 core elements**: Express Care, Challenge Growth, Provide Support, Share Power, Expand Possibilities. - **20 actionable behaviors** that adults can integrate into everyday interactions. - **Tools and assessments** that help measure and strengthen relational practice. > The impact is clear: when young people experience strong developmental relationships, they show higher social-emotional competencies, stronger academic outcomes, greater sense of purpose, and more resilience. What’s Next: Growing the Roots The Developmental Relationships Framework was, and continues to be, co-created with the field. We continue to learn alongside our partners to adapt tools for diverse cultural contexts, expand peer-to-peer relational work, and explore how systemic changes can create “relationship-rich” organizations and ecosystems. The metaphor we often return to is this: [relationships](https://searchinstitute.org/publications?query=Relationships) are the roots from which youth thriving grows. The deeper and more nurtured those roots, the more resilient and flourishing our young people will be. We are deeply grateful to the educators, youth workers, parents, young people, and partners who have shaped and strengthened this work. And we remain committed to walking alongside you to keep learning, adapting, and building relationship-rich environments where all young people can thrive. [Explore the evolution of our knowledge and wisdom on Developmental Relationships through the last 10 years of work](https://searchinstitute.org/10-years-of-developmental-relationships).  [![Solutions CTA Co-Creation](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Solutions%20CTA%20Co-Creation.png?width=2560&height=1000&name=Solutions%20CTA%20Co-Creation.png)](https://searchinstitute.org/solutions)   [Developmental Relationships, ](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/developmental-relationships) [Thriving, ](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/thriving) #### Search Institute Author ## Recommended For You [![](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/ROI-1-3-2.png)](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/theory-gets-practical-developmental-relationships-framework) [Developmental Relationships](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/developmental-relationships) [Research](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/research) 4 Min Read ### [When Theory Gets Practical: The Value of the Developmental Relationships Framework](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/theory-gets-practical-developmental-relationships-framework) [Eugene C. Roehlkepartain, Ph.D., Senior Scholar February 16 2021](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/eugene-c-roehlkepartain-ph-d-senior-scholar) [![](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Guatemala-2-2.png)](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/developmental-relationships-guatemala) [Developmental Relationships](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/developmental-relationships) [Research](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/research) 4 Min Read ### [Developmental Relationships in Guatemala: A First Step Toward Exploring the Framework Beyond the United States](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/developmental-relationships-guatemala) [Peter C. Scales, Ph.D. December 11 2019](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/peter-c-scales-ph-d-) [![](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/ROI-4_5-1.png)](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/building-relationships-among-adult-staff) 5 Min Read ### [It Starts with Us: Building Relationships Among Adult Staff](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/building-relationships-among-adult-staff) [Eugene C. Roehlkepartain, Ph.D., Senior Scholar March 10 2021](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/gene-roehlkepartain) ![search-footerlogo](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hubfs/search-footerlogo.png "search-footerlogo") ## Search Institute 2550 University Avenue West Suite 200N St. Paul, MN 55114 800.888.7828 612.376.8955 i[nfo@searchinstitute.org](mailto:info@searchinstitute.org) - [Research](https://searchinstitute.org/research) - [Solutions](https://searchinstitute.org/solutions) - [Insights](https://searchinstitute.org/insights) - [Funders & Partners](https://searchinstitute.org/funders-partners) - [About](https://searchinstitute.org/about) - [Blog](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/) - [Donate](https://searchinstitute.org/donate) - [Contact](https://searchinstitute.org/contact) - [Subscribe to our Newsletter](https://searchinstitute.org/subscribe-to-our-enewsletter) - [Cancellations, Returns & Refunds](https://searchinstitute.org/cancellations-returns-refunds) - [Public Records](https://searchinstitute.org/nonprofit-status-public-records) - [Permissions Request Form](https://survey.search-institute.org/s3/Permissions-Request-Form) - [Keep Connected](http://keepconnected.searchinstitute.org/) ©2024 Search Institute | [Terms of Use](https://www.search-institute.org/terms-of-use/) Search Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable corporation. 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