THE TARGET GROUP CONSISTS OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHO, UNLESS PROVIDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP A CAREER, BUILD JOB SKILLS, GAIN JOB EXPERIENCE, AND BECOME COMMITTED TO AN OCCUPATION, ARE LIKELY TO RESORT TO ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES. EXISTING PROGRAMS AIMED AT REDUCING OVERALL RATES OF UNEMPLOYMENT, AT MAKING CRIME MORE COSTLY TO THE OFFENDER, AND AT TRAINING AND EMPLOYING OFFENDERS HAVE MERIT BUT DO NOT REACH PEOPLE WHO ARE 'ON THE FRINGE,' I.E., WHO MUST STRADDLE THE LEGITIMATE AND ILLEGITIMATE SYSTEMS. INDIVIDUAL GRANTS OR STIPENDS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CAREER OR OCCUPATION THROUGH EDUCATION AND JOB EXPERIENCE MAY BE A FEASIBLE ALTERNATIVE FOR THESE PEOPLE. EACH GRANT WOULD BE BASED ON AN INDIVIDUALIZED CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND STABILIZATION PLAN TO COVER 3 TO 6 YEARS. EACH GRANT WOULD INCLUDE A PLANNING AND EXPLORATION PHASE, DURING WHICH THE GRANTEE WOULD ACQUIRE THE INFORMATION AND EXPOSURE NEEDED TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION REGARDING AN OCCUPATION. THE SECOND PHASE WOULD PROVIDE TRAINING OR EDUCATION, AND THE FINAL PHASE WOULD PROVIDE JOB EXPERIENCE. DURING THE PLANNING PHASE, THE GRANT WOULD COVER SUBSISTENCE SUPPORT AS WELL AS COSTS RELATED TO EXPLORATION, PLANNING, AND TESTING. THE GRANT WOULD COVER SUBSISTENCE AND TRAINING COSTS IN THE SECOND PHASE AND SALARY IN THE THIRD. SUGGESTIONS FOR ADMINISTERING THE GRANTS ARE OFFERED. POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF THE EDUCATION-WORK GRANT APPROACH ARE POINTED OUT. (LKM)