A delinquency record is one of the strongest predictors of adult criminality. Preventing delinquency helps stop the onset of adult criminal careers and thus reduces the burden of crime on its victims and on society. This article focuses on community-based programs for youths. It reviews the concept of evidence-based practice in juvenile justice, its benefits, and the challenges for adoption by agencies. It begins by presenting an appraisal of the traditional juvenile justice programming. It then reviews the methods currently accepted as the best way to identify the most effective programs....

A delinquency record is one of the strongest predictors of adult criminality. Preventing delinquency helps stop the onset of adult criminal careers and thus reduces the burden of crime on its victims and on society. This article focuses on community-based programs for youths. It reviews the concept of evidence-based practice in juvenile justice, its benefits, and the challenges for adoption by agencies. It begins by presenting an appraisal of the traditional juvenile justice programming. It then reviews the methods currently accepted as the best way to identify the most effective programs. Following this, it gives a comprehensive overview of community-based programs that work, with some information about programs that are proven failures. Finally, it describes how jurisdictions are implementing the best of these programs and overcoming the challenges they meet.