THE FAMILY HAS ASSUMED AN INCREASINGLY CENTRAL ROLE IN ATTEMPTS TO DEAL WITH PROBLEM BEHAVIOR EXHIBITED BY YOUTH. ACCOMPANYING THIS TREND TOWARD FAMILY TREATMENT HAS BEEN USE OF COMMUNITY-BASED DIVERSION AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL JUVENILE JUSTICE PROCESSING. THE 1967 PRESIDENT'S COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE RECOMMENDED THAT YOUTH BE HANDLED THROUGH SUCH ALTERNATIVE MEANS AS SPECIALIZED FAMILY COUNSELING AND INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICES. FEDERAL FUNDS WERE MADE AVAILABLE TO STATE AND LOCAL JURISDICTION INTERESTED IN IMPLEMENTING VARIOUS ALTERNATIVES TO COURT PROCESSING. FAMILY TREATMENT PROJECTS WERE INTENDED TO BE VOLUNTARY. BECAUSE PARENTS AND CHILDREN ARE OFTEN UNWILLING TO BECOME INVOLVED IN FAMILY-CENTERED TREATMENT AND OTHER FORMS OF DIVERSION, LEGISLATION PASSED IN FLORIDA AUTHORIZES THE JUVENILE COURT TO REQUIRE THE PARTICIPATION OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN IN FAMILY COUNSELING AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING ACTIVITIES DEEMED NECESSARY FOR REHABILITATION. FLORIDA'S DIVISION OF YOUTH SERVICES MAKES LITTLE DISTINCTION BETWEEN PROBLEMS OF INDIVIDUAL CHILDREN AND THE FAMILY SITUATION. ITS SUCCESS IN DIVERTING JUVENILES FROM COURT PROCESSING, FROM 69.3 PER 100,000 POPULATION IN FISCAL YEAR 1972-1973 TO 96 PER 100,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 1974-1975, HAS MEANT AN INCREASED FOCUS ON FAMILY INTERVENTION. ADDITIONAL STUDY IS RECOMMENDED TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FAMILY INTERVENTION BEFORE IT IS ADOPTED ON LARGE SCALE. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)