The provision of respite services for families with adolescents who are at risk of abusing or neglecting the young person is discussed, with attention to program design, services to parents, and services to adolescents. Respite programs can provide an important resource for families that lack sufficient supports to deal with the difficult period of adolescence, by providing a safe haven for family members to take a break from one another. A variety of family support services may be effective and may be provided on an individual or group basis. For an adolescent respite program to be successful, attention may need to focus on communication skills, behavior management, support groups for providing parent education, and parent counseling. Services for adolescents may be provided in schools, churches, or community facilities and may include recreational activities, support groups, and remedial academic programs. Mentoring can be valuable to the adolescent in order to experience adult friendship and positive role models. Adolescent support groups and individual counseling can also be helpful. Two national resource organizations are identified. (SW)