The text is intended for use by professionals in mental health, child protection, juvenile justice, and education and by parents and other concerned adults. It is also intended for policy-makers and agency administrators. The discussion emphasizes that reframing an adolescent's behavior as a result of a child abuse trauma syndrome, with which many troubled youths are struggling, may enhance understanding and treatment of youths and result in positive outcomes. The first section examines the nature and characteristics of families, including birth families, foster families, adoptive families, and gangs as a family of creation. It also focuses on diversity related to socioeconomic variables, immigration, ethnicity and race, and sexual orientation. The next section provides an overview of the major systems involved in raising young people; these include the child protection, juvenile justice, education, and mental health systems. The third section describes and provides guidelines for Child Abuse Specific Treatment of Trauma, a treatment model for adolescent recovery from traumatic stress. The model is based on the authors' direct clinical work. Case examples; appended intake form, suggestions for youth advocacy, and information sheet; index; list of suggested readings; and 143 references