Maryland's program, funded by a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, is based on five general principles that are the basis of every attempt to reverse current trends in delinquency. To be effective, a juvenile justice system must: (1) strengthen the family; (2) support core social institutions; (3) promote delinquency prevention; (4) intervene immediately and effectively when delinquent behavior occurs; and (5) identify and control the small group of serious, violent, and chronic juvenile offenders. The Maryland Department of Juvenile Justice, in partnership with local agencies, selected five counties and Baltimore City as jurisdictions in which to pilot comprehensive strategy programs. A statewide presentation for legislators and other key leaders was held to introduce and explain the components of the strategy, with an emphasis on how the strategy complements existing reform efforts.