The 1967 President's Crime Commission proposed the development of youth service bureaus, the concept and purpose of which were to provide needed services to youth rather than process them unnecessarily through the courts. As the Crime Commission Report provided no models for these bureaus, many types evolved. This study locates and describes numerous programs and procedures, and the influences significant in shaping the nature of bureaus in different communities. A minimum of 200,000 youth received services from approximately 140 bureaus in a one year period of 1971-72. Typical programs have five or six full-time staff members and utilize, or plan to utilize, volunteer services. Individual counseling and referral are reported as the most important bureau service. Two-thirds of the programs are in urban, core, or Model Cities neighborhoods. All ethnic groups are serviced; 60% of cases are boys, 40% girls. School, law enforcement and self are primary sources of referral. Physical facilities tend to be in reasonable and useful condition, although neighborhood conditions tend to be poor. The most pressing problem is funding. The report describes 58 bureaus and makes recommendations for developing priorities and policies. (Author/NMF)