Female juvenile delinquents often are poor, live in crime-ridden neighborhoods, experience abuse at home, and lack hope for the future. Despite their adult problems, these girls are not adults. They are still growing and are capable of change, deserving of attention, and in need of sensitive interventions. Effective interventions recognize that, while dealing with complex problems, female juvenile delinquents are still young people who need guidance toward healthy choices. Teenage parenting, a history of physical and sexual abuse, and substance abuse can interact to make troubled girls grow up too fast. Developmentally sensitive solutions to the problems of these girls are proposed that focus on in-home counseling and center-based education programs. The programs are designed to help girls deal with issues of prior victimization and abuse, depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, and other problems. 11 references