Federal programs for disadvantaged youth were established under the Manpower Development and Training Act of 1962, the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973, and the 1977 Youth Employment Demonstration Projects Act. However, in 1983, the Job Training Partnership Act reduced funding shifted the focus away from disadvantaged youth and eliminated evaluation research. However, studies during the last decade indicate the need to focus resources on youth at risk who become or remain chronically unemployed, to broaden employment programs to include other remedial and human development elements, to emphasize early interventions, and to link the programs to mainstream institutions. Table and 30 references.