Older teens living in families receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) face serious sociodemographic disadvantages. When combined with the characteristic risk-taking behaviors of adolescence, these disadvantages pose a threat to TANF teens' immediate and future physical, psychological, and emotional health and to their long-term academic and economic well-being. Older TANF youths who are "child-only cases" (minors whose TANF benefits are determined without considering caregivers' needs and income) often face additional problems, including experiences of dysfunctional home situations, separation anxiety, and emotional and academic problems. Youth development programs aim to prepare young people to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood through various experiences and activities that increase social, moral, emotional, physical, and cognitive competency. They can include state-based, community-based, and school-based efforts. The following types of programs and activities are important components of state and local efforts to promote self-sufficiency among older TANF teens transitioning off cash assistance: teen pregnancy prevention; family violence services; school completion/dropout prevention; and general education development (GED) certificate programs. Programs for in-school youth include career academies and vocational-technical education. Programs for out-of-school youth include YouthBuild and Department of Labor youth employment programs. Research has documented the negative effects of poverty and welfare receipt on youth outcomes but has also identified effective and innovative programs for at-risk youth. (Contains 40 references.) (MN)