Although communities are making progress in establishing comprehensive systems for serving youth, they still face challenges. Enabling conditions that have allowed innovative youth councils to develop systems of youth development, education, and employment include: (1) youth opportunity grants; (2) established intermediary organizations; (3) strong school-to-career partnerships; (4) community-wide planning; (5) influential stakeholders; and an aggressive state youth policy organization. Policymakers and practitioners can improve youth services by eliminating onerous and cumbersome eligibility requirements, streamlining the accountability system, and improving upon outcome measures. (Information from ten youth council case studies, amounting to 75 per cent of the report, concludes with a recommendation for federal funding reauthorization in 2003.) (AJ)