The research director of the National Council on Crime and Delinquency explains that the delinquency prevention program has spent over $20 million to support private, nonprofit youth agencies which deliver a variety of youth services across the country. A program evaluation has shown that the program is not effective. Underfunded, ill-planned, traditional services are provided to low-income youth who have not exhibited delinquent behavior. The program has had no impact on current offenders, and no evidence exists that delinquency has been prevented. The agencies have no experience in handling hardcore delinquents, and their directors often do not have a clear idea of what delinquency is. Also, courts, schools, and police are often not aware that these services are being offered. A senior research associate of the council explains that four levels of court-initiated delinquency prevention efforts are being examined for effectiveness in the Salt Lake City project; probation without supervision or services, supervised probation without service, supervised probation with services, and institutional placement. The city's judges requested the study determine which youths benefit the most from each level of supervision and treatment. A table of contents is included.