Substance use, delinquency, and other problem behaviors continue to be serious problems plaguing America’s youth. Predictions of problem behavior identified in risk and protective factors are viewed as promising targets for preventive intervention. A self-report measurement instrument which is appropriate for adolescents and capable of cost-effective measurement of a range of research-derived risk and protective factors and problem behaviors is seen as offering important benefits. This article describes the development of the survey instrument, Communities That Care Youth Survey designed to meet these goals. The Communities That Care Youth Survey was designed to assess a broad set of risk and protective factors, be administered within a school setting during one class period, and be appropriate for adolescents ranging in age from 11 to 18. There were five stages in the survey development process. Data from a representative statewide sample of more than 10,000 students in grades 6, 8, and 11 suggest that this survey instrument measures reliably a broad range of risk and protective factors in multiple ecological domains. The survey instrument was designed to be used as a tool for assessing prevention needs in adolescent populations. The initial results suggest the survey does measure the identified risk and protective factors. References