Evidence was gathered from those involved with at-risk children and juvenile offenders in Maine on how the Federal Government can best help states and communities battle juvenile crime. The kinds of prevention and intervention programs that work were considered, with the allocation of public resources an underlying concern. Panels of educators, social service providers, youth workers, community representatives, and young people in the process of turning their lives around made it clear that simply holding youthful offenders accountable for crimes is not enough. Governments need to work to eliminate domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and drug abuse. Programs must improve the self-esteem of young participants. Mothers and fathers must be held accountable for their children's well-being, and when they ask for help, they should receive it. Although the overall incidence of youth crime in Maine has remained relatively stable when compared to other parts of the country, there is widespread agreement that there has been a proliferation of juvenile crime. Lessons taught by the citizens of Maine have national implications. (SLD)