The Comprehensive Strategy for Serious, Violent, and Chronic Juvenile Offenders consists of two principal components: prevention and early intervention and a system of graduated sanctions and a parallel continuum of treatment alternatives. The Comprehensive Strategy is activated by two processes that are considered linchpins in the process of developing the comprehensive juvenile justice models. First, the community must conduct a comprehensive assessment of risk and protective factors for delinquency in that specific jurisdiction. Second, juvenile justice system agencies must assess the community’s delinquent population for risk and treatment needs, to classify the position offenders within a structured system of graduated sanctions. Implementation of the Comprehensive Strategy is in its infancy. Few sites have completed long-term implementation, refinement, and evaluation, however early results are highly encouraging. This book explores the world of chronic, violent juvenile offenders. Evaluating the current “moral panic” over juvenile delinquency, an effective program delivery system (the Comprehensive Strategy for Serious, Violent, and Chronic Juvenile Offenders) that empowers individual practitioners and communities is offered. Geared toward preparing students for a career in juvenile justice or social services, this book provides (1) chapter introductions and summaries, linking research studies to intervention programs; (2) boxed studies, data sources, key definitions, and concepts; (3) extensive real-world case studies and illustrations; (4) a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art research and programs; (5) developmental theories of juvenile delinquency; (6) advanced juvenile justice system management tools; and (7) effective prevention and rehabilitation programs. Tables, appendix and references