THE INTENSIVE TREATMENT UNIT AT GANNONDALE SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, AN INSTITUTION OWNED AND ADMINISTERED BY THE GANNONDALE SISTERS, WAS STARTED TO REDUCE OUT-OF-COUNTY PLACEMENT FOR GIRLS UNRESPONSIVE TO OPEN, TRADITIONALLY AVAILABLE TREATMENT PROCEDURES. THE PROGRAM WAS DESIGNED TO MINIMIZE ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR, BUILD UP PSYCHOLOGICAL STRENGTH TO HELP THE GIRLS DEAL WITH ANTISOCIAL IMPULSES, IMPROVE EDUCATIONAL LEVEL, AND DETER FURTHER INVOLVEMENT IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. DURING THE FIRST MONTHS OF THE PROGRAM, THE NEWLY HIRED STAFF WAS UNPREPARED FOR THE DEGREE OF VIOLENCE EXHIBITED BY THE GIRLS. IN ADDITION, MOST OF THE ORIGINAL SEVEN RESIDENTS HAD BEEN TOGETHER 'ON THE STREET' AND WERE IN CONTROL OF THE SITUATION. HIRING PRACTICES WERE CHANGED. IN ADDITION, THE ORIGINAL GROUP WAS BROKEN UP BY TRANSFERS. AS A RESULT, THE STAFF IS WORKING TOGETHER AND THE SYSTEM OF REWARDS AND PUNISHMENTS IS PRODUCING FAVORABLE CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR. THE FULL-TIME TEACHER HAS BEEN A VALUABLE ADDITION. STANDARDIZED TESTS SHOW THAT 75 PERCENT OF THE GIRLS MAKE SIGNIFICANT EDUCATIONAL GAINS DURING THEIR STAY. THE PROGRAM IS HANDLING ALL GIRLS REFERRED BY THE COUNTY COURT AND, IN ADDITION, IS ACCEPTING OUT-OF-COUNTY RESIDENTS. LONG-TERM FOLLOWUP IS NECESSARY TO FIND OUT IF THE POSITIVE CHANGES SEEN DURING TREATMENT PERSIST AFTER DISCHARGE. DURING THE FIRST YEAR, 19 GIRLS WERE SERVED; 20 TO 32 CAN BE SERVED NOW THAT THE PROGRAM IS FULLY OPERATIONAL.