Advocates for change argue that status offenders should be seen as victims of family problems; they should not be treated in a punitive manner. In response to this viewpoint, most California counties have deinstitutionalized status offender services by providing shelter and/or crisis assistance in community based agencies. The San Francisco Youth Advocacy Project seeks to improve services to status offenders by reducing the number of youth who come into contact with the juvenile court, by increasing the use of community services, and by emphasizing family assistance. Currently, the Juvenile Probation Department is the primary provider of these services. The department handles over 1,000 referrals each year. About 60 percent of these youth are provided shelter, and the average length of stay is 4 days. Characteristics of a proposed alternative model include two decentralized community-based crisis intervention units, a 20-bed foster network, and the utilization of the Youth Guidance Center for status offender wards. Such an alternative would be more cost effective and would put the entry point of the system in the community. Figures, maps, exhibits, 84 footnotes, and about 50 references are provided. (Author summary modified)