The JJDP Act's mandates are the deinstitutionalization of juvenile status offenders, the separation of juveniles and adults in confinement, the removal of juveniles from jails and lockups, and efforts to address the problems of disproportionate minority confinement. Its accomplishments include the increased public awareness of juvenile justice and delinquency prevention issues; the creation of forums for discussing juvenile justice issues; and the establishment of a clear, accurate database on which to base policy decisions. Additional accomplishments include the initiation of a cooperative planning process, the adoption of legislation and policies enhancing the quality of juvenile justice, and the development of flexible networks of community services to address the changing needs of youth. Nearly all successful juvenile justice programs have several crucial characteristics. They facilitate mutual respect and affection between youth and their parents, provide frequent and accurate feedback to positive and negative behavior, require youth recognize when they are making excuses for negative behavior, create opportunities for juveniles to discuss important issues in an open atmosphere, and offer a wide range of effective aftercare programs.