THE COMMITTEES ARE THE MOST RECENT INNOVATION OF THE BELGIAN LAW OF APRIL 8, 1965, WHICH SEEKS TO ASSIST THOSE YOUTHS WHOSE DEVELOPMENT SEEMS THREATENED. PARENTS IN MARGINAL FAMILIES WITH PROBLEMS CONDUCIVE TO EDUCATIONAL HANDICAPS GENERALLY REQUEST HELP FROM THE COMMITTEES. THE HISTORY OF JUVENILE PROTECTION IS TRACED IN FRANCE FROM THE EARLY LAWS OF THE 18TH CENTURY TO THE 1912 LAW REFORM AND THE MAJOR 1965 LAW PROTECTING JUVENILES AT RISK, AS WELL AS IN OTHER COUNTRIES ACCORDING TO WHETHER THE PROTECTION IS LEGAL OR SOCIAL. STRUCTURAL COMPOSITION (MEMBERS, CHAIRPERSONS, INDIVIDUAL AND COMMITTEE SOCIAL MAKE-UP); PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION FOR CHAIRPERSONS, OFFICES, AND WORK GROUPS; AVAILABLE PHYSICAL, FINANCIAL, AND HUMAN RESOURCES INCLUDING SECRETARIATS, SOCIAL SERVICES, VOLUNTEER WORKERS, AND OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS; AND INDIVIDUAL AND GENERAL AREAS OF PROTECTIVE ACTION ARE OUTLINED ON THE BASIS OF CURRENT LAW AND INFORMATION FROM QUESTIONNAIRES. PROBLEMS FACING COMMITTEES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: CONFLICTS BECAUSE ACTIVITIES ENCOMPASS BOTH SOCIAL AND LEGAL PROTECTION, POOR COORDINATION OF COMMITTEE SERVICES WITH THOSE OF OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, AND LACK OF COHESIVE STRUCTURE AND TEAMWORK IN LARGE COMMITTEES. IMPROVEMENTS HAVE INCLUDED THE 1973 BARBAUX REFORM PROPOSING AN AUTONOMOUS JURISDICTION OF COMMITTEES TO DEAL WITH ALL FAMILY PROBLEMS AND THE 1973 WALGRAVE REFORM SUPPORTING REORGANIZATION OF THE SYSTEM FOR PROTECTION OF YOUNG PEOPLE. CREATION OF A SPECIALIZED 12-CITIZEN SOCIAL SERVICE ADVISORY BODY IN EACH DISTRICT, DEFINITION OF INTERVENTION OR PROTECTION SERVICES, AND PROVISION OF PUBLIC INFORMATION ARE RECOMMENDED. AN EXTENSIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY, REFERENCES, AND TABLES ARE SUPPLIED. --IN FRENCH. (INL)