Thank you for writing to us as the Community Tool Box. In developing the kind of assessment you mention, a typical first step would be to search the literature (and the web) for similar or related assessments that have been done previously. It is likely there have been some. If you can find them, that will give both give you a model to work from, as well as some specific questions that could be adapted to your own situation.
Beyond that, before you begin we think it will help you to consider what you would like to do with the assessment – how would it be used, and for what purposes? This will help shape your approach and perhaps the specific questions you will ask. More specifically, it should also help you to (1) carefully define what you mean by “support system” – what do you see it as including and not including?, (2) determine the form the assessment will take (e.g., interview, survey, etc.), (3) decide what categories of people will be asked to respond to the assessment (e.g., youth themselves? others?), and also (4) decide on how the specific respondents will be selected. Finally, do you envision other components to the assessment in addition to interviews and surveys?
A review of Community Tool Box Chapter 3, Section 8, on Identifying Community Assets and Resources, will give you some other tips and ideas.
We hope these suggestions may be helpful to you. Thanks again for writing, and all very best wishes for success in your work.
