THIS PROGRAM WAS SET UP TO SERVE THREE CATEGORIES OF GIRLS: (1) THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET BECOME DELINQUENTS; (2) VAGRANTS, UNEMPLOYED, SCHOOL DROPOUTS, UNMARRIED MOTHERS, AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDES; AND (3) PROSTITUTES MOTIVATED TO CHANGE. THE POPULATION SERVED BY THE PROGRAM NUMBERS ABOUT 2,300 AND IS COMPRISED OF GIRLS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 13 AND 21 YEARS. IN MOST CASES, THE GIRLS TARGETED BY THE PROGRAM ARE FROM ORIENTAL JEWISH FAMILIES. INTELLIGENCE QUOTIENTS OF CLIENTS ARE, ON THE AVERAGE, SLIGHTLY BELOW NORMAL, AND SOME OF GIRLS SUFFER FROM EMOTIONAL DISORDERS. IN ADDITION, MANY OF THE GIRLS CONSIDER THEMSELVES FAILURES AND HAVE LOW SELF-ESTEEM. RUNNING AWAY FROM HOME IS A SIGNAL THAT A CRITICAL POINT HAS BEEN REACHED IN THE GIRLS' LIFE. TREATMENT PROVIDED BY THE SERVICE EMPHASIZES BEHAVIORAL CHANGE, BUT ALSO PAYS ATTENTION TO THE FORMULATION AND CHANGING OF VALUES. TREATMENT MAY BE INPATIENT, OUTPATIENT, OR A COMBINATION OF THE TWO. FOSTER FAMILY HOMES, SHELTERS, TOTAL CARE INSTITUTIONS, AND HOSTELS PROVIDE ALTERNATIVES TO THE CHILD LIVING IN THE HOME. HOSTELS ARE DESIGNED TO PREPARE GIRLS FOR INDEPENDENCE FOLLOWING A 1-YEAR STAY IN THE FACILITY. SPECIAL PROJECTS OF THE SERVICE INCLUDE CARE CLUBS AND OPERATION NOAH. THE CARE CLUBS ARE DESIGNED TO GIVE GIRLS ON THE FRINGE OF DELINQUENCY AN ADDITIONAL HOME BASE. PROJECT NOAH IS A GROUP HOME WHICH AIMS AT SOCIALLY AND VOCATIONALLY REHABILITATING GIRLS. THE SERVICE FOR GIRLS IN DISTRESS RECOGNIZES A NEED FOR GOOD VOCATIONAL TRAINING. (MLC)