This volume presents three papers commissioned by the National Governors' Association on children and violence. "Risk Factors for Youth Violence" (Terence P. Thornberry) discusses findings from longitudinal studies conducted over the last decade about children and violent behavior. Nine significant risk factors for violent behavior are identified: chronic parental unemployment; substance abuse; early onset of aggression and antisocial behavior; family characteristics such as poor parenting skills, inconsistent discipline, child abuse, and out-of-home placements; inappropriate peer relationships; victimization; poor school performance; co-occurrence of problem behaviors; and living in socially isolated neighborhoods that fail to meet basic needs. "Dimensions of Youth Violence" (Donna Maria Garnett) presents statistics on youth violence, including the demographics and characteristics of perpetrators and victims of juvenile violence; then expands on the risk factors identified by Thornberry with a special focus on how families and communities can serve as contributing or protective factors for children at risk of violent behavior. "Strategies and Programs for the Prevention of Youth Violence" (David Steinhart) highlights promising interventions for reducing violence among youth. Steinhart reports that the most successful interventions are those that address the multiple and interrelated risk factors associated with youth violence and that reinforce one another across children's everyday social contexts. The document concludes with an annotated list of relevant resources. (NB)