If programs are to endure, however, they need to be selected only after jurisdictions have completed their own assessment of risks and resources for prevention and early intervention and of offenders in their juvenile justice system. Resources will likely be wasted if juvenile delinquency prevention programs target risk factors that are not prevalent and if juvenile offenders are not appropriate for selected programs. Other important factors in program success include a well-developed treatment protocol that is delivered by well-trained staff and administered in a sound host organization. Further, a well-managed continuum of program options at various sanction levels will produce greater overall effectiveness. Comprehensive systems that integrate prevention and graduated sanctions will be much more effective than piecemeal approaches. The comprehensive strategy of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention can be used by jurisdictions to guide them in building a comprehensive system and in preparing them to select the most appropriate programs from the wide array of effective programs that is available. 52 references and 6 notes