The goal in this collection of 22 essays is to consider youth policy based on the themes of promoting youth development, building supportive communities, and reforming systems/linking services. These themes arise from the editors' and contributors' belief that policy makers, program planners, practitioners and researchers need to recognize and emphasize the importance of holistic and positive approaches to youth issues as well as examine the impact that youth has upon family and community. They argue that the United States has an unprecedented opportunity to create a national youth agenda--a climate within which building a base of community supports and opportunities for young people may be possible. However, a massive paradigm shift is required if this agenda is to have positive youth development, rather than deterrence and punishment, as its base: the operating assumption must shift from thinking that youth problems, including violence, drug addiction, and teen pregnancy, are the principal barriers to youth development, and that problem prevention should be the national focus. Rather, youth development needs to be viewed as the most effective strategy for the prevention of youth problems. (TS)