Educational success and social-emotional development blossom when caring adults and supportive peers are present in young people’s lives. Extensive research has documented that strong relationships are a key factor for healthy development. Developmental relationships help young people forge identities, learn new skills, and strengthen the roots of their success, so they can withstand the storms of life. Mentors, educators, administrators, coaches, program leaders, and other adults can help young people figure out who they are and who they can become. Based on Search Institute’s last decade of work, this training will provide participants with the science behind relationships, why they’re so important, and the key role adults play in building and strengthening those connections with all young people.  Ongoing Search Institute studies show that when young people experience relationships characterized by the five elements of Search Institute’s Developmental Relationships Framework, their social-emotional skills are stronger, their academic outcomes are better, and their risk behaviors are lower. In this deep dive, participants will reflect on where, when, and how they express the elements of developmental relationships, identify strategies to intentionally build developmental relationships with young people and learn how to nurture relationships using activities and approaches to integrate the elements into everyday practice.