DURING 1979 THE CALIFORNIA YOUTH AUTHORITY (CYA) BECAME A PART OF A NEW STATE CABINET-LEVEL AGENCY, THE YOUTH AND ADULT SERVICES AGENCY, WHICH GIVES THE CYA MORE DIRECT ACCESS TO THE STATE ADMINISTRATION. IN ADDITION, THE YOUTHFUL OFFENDER PAROLE BOARD BECAME INDEPENDENT OF THE CYA, ALTHOUGH CLOSE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO AGENCIES WILL CONTINUE. THE CYA MISSION TO PROVIDE CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION TO YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS IS CARRIED OUT THROUGH FIVE OPERATING BRANCHES--INSTITUTIONS AND CAMPS; PAROLE SERVICES; PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS, PLANNING, RESEARCH, EVALUATION AND DEVELOPMENT; AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES. IN 1979 MAJOR EMPHASIS WAS GIVEN TO PLANNING FOR A CONTINUING INCREASE IN INSTITUTION POPULATIONS WHICH NEARED CAPACITY AT THE END OF THE YEAR. BRANCH SUMMARIES AND PROFILES OF MALE AND FEMALE YOUTH OFFENDERS ARE GIVEN. OVER 25 TABLES AND CHARTS ARE INCLUDED AS WELL AS A MAP AND DIRECTORY OF CYA INSTITUTIONS, CAMPS AND PAROLE OFFICES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)