Family, school, and community-based programs are presented developmentally, beginning with prenatal and infancy programs through programs for adolescents. The community strategies address the community as the context for behavior and action. For each strategy described in the four focus areas, the critical components for reducing risk and enhancing protection are highlighted. Specific program examples are described. References are provided so that communities wanting more detailed descriptions can consult the original source. Promising approaches are prevention strategies that have been shown in high quality research tests to be effective in reducing known risk factors and enhancing protective factors for adolescent health and behavior problems. The criteria used to select these promising approaches include addressing research-based risk factors for substance abuse, delinquency, teen pregnancy, school dropout, and violence; increasing protective factors; intervening at a developmentally appropriate age; and having shown positive effects in high-quality tests. The promising approaches outlined can be used in several ways in designing a comprehensive plan: (1) as a standard by which existing programs can be evaluated; (2) to identify ways to modify or adapt existing programs; and (3) as a source of programs that can effectively fill identified gaps. The programs were selected for their effectiveness in addressing known risk factors while enhancing protective factors. Examples of the effects they have produced include preventing divorce by teaching couples communication skills before they got married; reducing violent behavior; and lower annual rates of firearm homicide. 91 references, 2 appendices