The program was officially implemented in January 1990 to provide short-term foster care for adolescents between 10 and 17 years of age who exhibit delinquent or acting out behavior. Adolescents considered for the program include youth who are currently institutionalized, recently adjudicated offenders, and youth with potential delinquency problems who are at risk of institutionalization. The program is designed to remove the juvenile from the natural home for one school semester and then reintegrate the youth back into the home. The mentor family and the natural family work as a team to promote stabilization of the natural family and return of the youth to natural parents. Throughout the entire process, members of the natural family are involved through personal participation and financial support, a strategy designed to deter the youth from engaging in further delinquent acts. Effective coordination between the Juvenile Probation Department, mentor parents, natural parents, and the school system is an essential aspect of the the program. At a cost of $25 per day to mentor parents, the program is not expected to place a substantially higher cost burden on Allen County taxpayers. Roles and responsibilities of the youth, natural and mentor families, the probation department, the mentor home coordinator, and the mentor home probation officer are described. 9 references