THE TERM 'YOUTH SERVICE AGENCY' (YSA), AS USED IN THESE STANDARDS, ENCOMPASSES A NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS (E.G., YOUTH SERVICE BUREAUS, CHILD ADVOCACY COUNCILS), PROPOSED THROUGH GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION OR INDEPENDENTLY ESTABLISHED, WHICH PROVIDE DELINQUENCY PREVENTION SERVICES. THE ORIGINS OF THE YSA CONCEPT, IMPLEMENTATION OF SUCH PROGRAMS, AND AN ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING YSA'S ARE DISCUSSED IN DETAIL IN AN INTRODUCTORY SECTION. THE STANDARDS THEMSELVES DEAL WITH SEVEN AREAS OF CONCERN: (1) ESTABLISHMENT OF YOUTH SERVICE AGENCIES; (2) OBJECTIVES; (3) DECISION STRUCTURE; (4) ACCESS TO THE YOUTH SERVICE AGENCY; (5) THE SERVICE SYSTEM; (6) A MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT SYSTEM; AND (7) ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION. EACH STANDARD IS FOLLOWED BY A COMMENTARY WHICH EXPLAINS IT AND EXAMINES SOME OF THE PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN ITS IMPLEMENTATION. SOME OF THE MAJOR PROVISIONS DEAL WITH PARENTAL AND POLICE REFERRALS TO THE AGENCIES, THE JUVENILE'S RIGHT TO REFUSE DIVERSION, EVALUATION OF RESOURCES, SERVICES WHICH SHOULD BE AVAILABLE, LOCATION OF THE AGENCY, AND USE OF COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS. APPENDIXES CONTAIN ASSESSMENTS OF EXISTING YOUTH SERVICE PROGRAMS IN THE UNITED STATES AND SCANDINAVIA. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS PROVIDED. (VDA)