Supportive developmental systems for children and youth: A theoretical framework for comprehensive community initiatives

This special issue gathers comprehensive community initiative (CCI) researchers to discuss findings from cutting-edge research and provide directions for future work. To introduce the special issue, this article provides a brief review of the existing research on CCIs and the current CCI movement. Further, we recommend a conceptual framework for the study and implementation of CCIs based on relational developmental systems theories of development (e.g., Overton, 2013), wherein the developmental system for youth comprises key developmental supports that a young person needs to thrive and recognizes the agency of the youth. When the developmental supports across these contexts are aligned with the strengths and needs of each young person, a supportive youth system is formed. We argue that using a theory of change consistent with this framework will increase the likelihood that a CCI will have a positive impact on children and youth.