CE/A MEMBERS ARE PROFESSIONALS AND CITIZENS WORKING PRIMARILY IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PA., FOR PROGRESSIVE CHANGE IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE GOAL OF CE/A'S COMMUNITY TREATMENT COMMITTEE IS TO FURTHER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS AS ALTERNATIVES TO THE DETENTION OF YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS IN INSTITUTIONAL SETTINGS. THIS HANDBOOK PRESENTS ARGUMENT SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY GROUP CONCEPT AND OUTLINES THE FOLLOWING GOALS OF SUCH GROUP HOMES: DEINSTITUTIONALIZATION, GENERALIZATION (MAKE SERVICES ACCESSIBLE TO ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS), NORMALIZATION OF OTHER ASPECTS OF RESIDENTS' DAILY LIVES, SOCIALIZATION, EXTERNALIZATION (INTERGATION OF RESIDENTS INTO THE COMMUNITY), INDIVIDUALIZATION, LOCALIZATION (AS NEAR AS POSSIBLE TO THE RESIDENT'S NEIGHBORHOOD) AND ECONOMIZATION OF JUVENILE CARE DELIVERY. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TARGET POPULATION ARE NOTED AND PROGRAM STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS ARE DISCUSSED REGARDING COUNSELING AND THERAPY, HOUSE PARENTS, MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS, VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL GUIDANCE, MEDICAL SERVICES, RECREATIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL ACTIVITY PROGRAMMING, PSYCHIATRIC AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES, VOLUNTEER SERVICES, AND LEGAL CONSULTATION. GUIDELINES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNITY-BASED FACILITIES AND SERVICES ARE DELINEATED AND FUNDING SOURCES ARE DISCUSSED, INCLUDING PUBLIC FUNDS (I.E., PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE ACT 148 AND BAYH ACT FUNDS) AND PRIVATE FUNDS. AN ARTICLE ON THE MYTHS AND REALITIES OF COMMUNITY-BASED TREATMENT FOR ADOLESCENTS IS APPENDED. CHILDREN AND OUTCOMES, COSTS, STAFFING, AND COMMUNITY ATTITUDES ARE DISCUSSED IN THE ARTICLE. A GLOSSARY AND BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE PROVIDED. (KBL)