ALTHOUGH CRTC'S CAN BE EFFECTIVE AS ALTERNATIVES TO TRADITIONAL INCARCERATION, THEY OFTEN OVERSELL THEIR CAPABILITIES AND DO NOT IDENTIFY AND MEASURE THEIR PERFORMANCE IN SHORT-TERM CONCRETE BEHAVIORAL GOALS. AS A RESULT, PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE CONTINUED GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF CRTC'S IS NOT ALWAYS EXISTENT. IN THE ADOPTION OF AN INTERNAL DATA SYSTEM TO IDENTIFY SHORT-TERM PROGRAM GOALS, THE FOLLOWING STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN: (1) THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE EXPLICITLY TOLD WHAT A PROGRAM CAN DO, (2) POTENTIAL RESIDENTS OF A PROGRAM SHOULD HAVE A CLEAR IDEA OF WHAT WILL BE EXPECTED OF THEM, (3) A PROGRAM SHOULD BE MEASURED AGAINST OTHER PROGRAMS BY OBJECTIVE CRITERIA WHEN FUNDING PRIORITIES ARE CONSIDERED, (4) PERFORMANCE TO BE MEASURED SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED FOR MAKING MANAGEMENT DECISIONS, AND (5) CONFUSION ASSOCIATED WITH THE GOAL OF REDUCING RECIDIVISM SHOULD BE MINIMIZED BY MAKING IT CLEAR THAT RECIDIVISM CAN ONLY BE ACCURATELY MEASURED SCIENTIFICALLY OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. IT IS NECESSARY TO CLARIFY WHAT A PROGRAM CAN DO IN VIEW OF STAFF RESISTANCE AND STAFF ACCOUNTABILITY. SAMPLE PROGRAM OBJECTIVES FOR A CRTC ARE LISTED, AND WEEKLY PROGRAM FACT SHEET AND MONTHLY REPORT FORMS ARE INCLUDED. POSSIBLE LIMITATIONS THAT MUST BE GIVEN ATTENTION IN THE ADOPTION OF AN INTERNAL DATA SYSTEM FOR GOAL IDENTIFICATION ARE NOTED. (DEP)