THE DEPARTMENT HAS MANY PROGRAMS INCLUDING THE DIVERSION PROGRAM, WHICH HAD 10,539 REFERRALS DURING 1978-79. IT HANDLES INFORMAL WORK WITH THE JUVENILE AND THE FAMILY TO PREVENT THE JUVENILE FROM ACQUIRING A RECORD AND TO PREVENT FURTHER DELINQUENCY. THERE HAVE BEEN 8,602 REFERRALS TO THE JUVENILE HALL, A 13.7 PERCENT INCREASE FROM PREVIOUS YEARS. THE SEVERE OVERCROWDING OF THIS FACILITY HAS ALMOST RESULTED IN ITS CLOSING. HOWEVER, DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW REHABILITATION FACILITY AND EXPANSION OF THE HOME SUPERVISION PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES INTENSIVE SUPERVISION AT THE JUVENILE'S HOME UNTIL THERE IS A COURT DISPOSITION, WILL ALLEVIATE THIS PROBLEM. OTHER PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT INCLUDE STATUS OFFENSE, WHICH DEALS WITH THE MINORS WHO PERSISTENTLY DISOBEY THEIR PARENTS OR GUARDIANS; DEPENDENT PROGRAM, WHICH DEALS WITH CHILD ABUSE; TRAFFIC PROGRAM; SPECIAL PROGRAMS, WHICH INCLUDE COURT WORK AND SPECIAL INVESTIGATION; AND VOLUNTEERS PROGRAM. STATISTICAL DATA IS PROVIDED.