Explores the services available to children with conduct disorders and their parents and the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of particular interventions. The article discusses different treatment approaches, ranging from parent-training programs to psychopharmacology; (2) the role of the service sectors most commonly used to help juveniles with conduct disorder symptoms or a conduct disorder diagnosis, notably mental health, education, child welfare, and juvenile justice; (3) service use patterns and the efficacy of school-based interventions; (4) particular juvenile justice programs in Michigan, Minnesota, Sacramento County in California, and Toronto; (5) the concept of a comprehensive model that integrates prevention, early intervention, graduated sanctions, and aftercare to help communities address child delinquency more effectively; (6) outlines the mechanisms for such a model, including creation of a governing body, comprehensive assessments and case management, and interagency coordination and collaboration; and (7) lessons learned from innovations in Canada. Effective intervention and prevention programs provide a treatment-oriented, nonpunitive framework that emphasizes early identification and intervention and involve integrating the programs of key service sectors.
