AFTERCARE IS DEFINED AS THAT PHASE OF SERVICE FOLLOWING CRISIS STABILIZATION DURING WHICH YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE HELPED TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE. RESPONSIVENESS TO YOUTH NEEDS IS FUNDAMENTAL AND, TO BE RESPONSIVE, PROGRAMS MUST PROVIDE CONTINUITY OF CARE, BE FLEXIBLE, AND ALLOW SERVICES TO EVOLVE BASED ON THE CHANGING NEEDS OF YOUTH. SERIOUSLY TROUBLED YOUTH MAY REQUIRE LONG-TERM CARE AS THE RESULT OF NEGLECTED EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS, FAMILY RELATIONS, AND SCHOOL DIFFICULTIES. AN EFFECTIVE AFTERCARE STRATEGY TO DEAL WITH YOUTH IN GENERAL CONSISTS OF TWO COMPONENTS, DIRECT SERVICES AND REFERRAL SERVICES. DIRECT SERVICES ENCOMPASS SUCH ACTIVITIES AS PLANNING, RECORDKEEPING, AFTERCARE NEEDS ASSESSMENT, FOLLOWUP, CLASS ADVOCACY, AND EVALUATION. REFERRAL SERVICES CONSTITUTE AFTERCARE PROVIDED BY OUTSIDE AGENCIES AND INVOLVE THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES: DEVELOPING A REFERRAL SYSTEM; MAINTAINING INTERAGENCY RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH PERSONAL CONTACTS, INTERAGENCY MEETINGS, AND COOPERATIVE HANDLING OF CASES; MONITORING REFERRALS TO ASSURE NEEDED SERVICES ARE PROVIDED; AND STRENGTHENING EXISTING SERVICES THROUGH INTERAGENCY MEETINGS AND CLASS ADVOCACY. IN THE AFTERCARE PLANNING PROCESS, CERTAIN STEPS ARE FUNDAMENTAL. THEY CONCERN THE ASSESSMENT OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES, ADEQUATE RECORDKEEPING, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AFTERCARE PROGRAM GOALS, AND STAFFING. NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES ARE NECESSARY TO HELP YOUTH AND PARENTS CLARIFY NEXT STEPS IN WORKING THROUGH CONTINUING PROBLEMS, TO AID PROGRAM STAFF IN SETTING A PACE THAT INSURES PROGRESS TOWARD THE RESOLUTION OF PROBLEMS, AND TO ASSIST PROGRAM STAFF IN DOCUMENTING PRIORITY SERVICES AND UNMET LONG-TERM NEEDS. FOLLOWUP INVOLVES MONITORING AFTERCARE SERVICES TO SUPPORT YOUTH IN TRANSITION AND ASSURE APPROPRIATE RECORDKEEPING TO IMPROVE SERVICES. YOUNG PEOPLE NEED ACCESS TO INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY COUNSELING, ALTERNATIVE LIVING ARRANGEMENTS, THE OPPORTUNITY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING, AND SCHOOL INTERVENTION. EVALUATION OF AFTERCARE SERVICES BY BOTH YOUTH AND PARENTS IS ESSENTIAL. AFTERCARE THROUGH REFERRAL AND MEASURES THAT CAN BE EMPLOYED TO MOTIVATE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS ARE DETAILED. AN AFTERCARE PROGRAM LOG AND FOLLOWUP, NEEDS ASSESSMENT, REFERRAL, FOLLOWUP, AND EVALUATION FORMS ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)