TITLE III OF THE FAMILY CODE OF TEXAS AIMS AT IMPLEMENTING RECENT UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT DECISIONS REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF THE GUARANTEES OF THE 14TH AMENDMENT TO JUVENILE COURT PROCEDURES IN THE AREAS OF REPRESENTATION BY COUNSEL, RIGHT TO HAVE A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS KEPT, AND PRIVILEGE AGAINST SELF-INCRIMINATION. THIS SAME LAW PROVIDES THAT JUVENILE STATUS OFFENDERS CANNOT BE INSTITUTIONALIZED EXCEPT UNDER EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES. ANOTHER SECTION OF THE FAMILY CODE MAKES TEXAS A MEMBER OF A GROUP OF STATES THAT HAVE AGREED TO COOPERATE WITH ONE ANOTHER IN RETURNING JUVENILE DELINQUENTS OR RUNAWAYS TO THEIR STATE OF RESIDENCE. THE WORK OF THE TEXAS YOUTH COUNCIL, OPERATING AS A COORDINATING AGENCY FOR ALL PROGRAMS AFFECTING JUVENILE JUSTICE IS NOTED. IN 1975, THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE AMENDED ARTICLE 5143 B, WHICH IS AIMED AT DEVELOPING COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS FOR JUVENILES. APPROPRIATIONS FOR SUCH PROGRAMS INCREASED FROM $4,000,000 IN 1976 TO $5,000,000 IN 1977. ALLOCATIONS ARE INTENDED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVES TO INSTITUTIONALIZATION, HALFWAY HOUSES, AND THE PURCHASE OF COMMUNITY SERVICES. DAY PROGRAMS, GROUP HOMES, THERAPEUTIC WILDERNESS OR CAMPING PROGRAMS, FOSTER HOMES, PRACTICE INTERVENTION PROGRAMS, AND EMERGENCY SERVICE ARE SOME OF THE PROGRAMS TARGETED FOR YOUTH UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF COUNTY PROBATION AUTHORITIES. ALSO NOTED IS THE LACK OF PROGRAMS TAILORED FOR YOUTH WHOSE MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL CAPACITIES ARE BETWEEN THOSE OF 'NORMAL' YOUTH AND THOSE CONSIDERED MENTALLY RETARDED OR MENTALLY ILL. FOR RELATED ARTICLES, PLEASE SEE NCJ 56707 AND 56709-56717. (RCB)