The Annie E. Case Foundation is committed to exploring effective alternatives to juvenile detention, and thus launched the multi-year, multi-site project called the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) in 1992. Three sites ended up participating in JDAI, with the goal of increasing effective alternatives to juvenile detention. This report focuses on challenges that emerged during the project; large numbers of “special” detention cases were noted in all three participating sites. These special detention cases involved children detained on warrants, children detained for probation violations, and children in post-adjudication or post-disposition detention waiting for placement. Chapter 1 discusses why jurisdictions should focus on these special cases in their efforts to improve the effectiveness of the juvenile justice system and reduce incarceration rates among youth. Chapter 2 focuses on minors detained on warrants and presents challenges and lessons learned at the three JDAI sites regarding minors who are detained on warrants. In some cases, warrants that were issued for failure to appear in court were only issued because of a breakdown in communication between the court and the minor; a poor reason for placing a minor in a detention facility. Strategies for more effective handling of these types of cases, learned from the three JDAI sites, are presented. Chapter 3 similarly discusses the special cases of minors who are detained on probation violations; challenges and lessons learned from the JDAI sites are discussed. Challenges include a lack of mid-range or graduated sanctions and strategies for improvement include adopting written guidelines and mandatory risk screening. Chapter 4 focuses on the challenges presented by minors who are held in post-adjudication and post-disposition detention while waiting for placement. The nature of the problem is reviewed and promising strategies are presented, which include improving placement speed and efficiency. Finally, Chapter 5 presents the top eight lessons learned from the three JDAI sites. A list of resources for more information regarding the strategies mentioned in the document is presented. Tables