An overview of the assessment updates issues critical to the design and operation of intensive aftercare programs describes innovative and promising programs identified through a national mail survey and followup telephone interviews. It also discusses intensive aftercare approaches and practices examined during a series of site visits. The proposed aftercare model addresses two of the widely acknowledged deficiencies of the current system of secure correctional commitment: that institutional confinement does not adequately prepare youth for return to the community and that lessons and skills learned while in secure confinement are not monitored or reinforced outside the institution. The prototype aftercare program is designed to prepare youth for increased responsibility and freedom in the community, to facilitate youth-community interaction and involvement, to work with both the offender and targeted community support systems on qualities needed for constructive interaction and the youth's successful community adjustment, to develop new resources and supports where needed, and to monitor and test the youths and the community on their ability to deal with each other productively. The three major elements that must be taken into account as planners and practitioners translate theory and principles into practice are organizational factors and the external environment, overarching case management, and management information and program evaluation. Next steps in the project are outlined. 31 references