The publication outlines the role of the Youth Development Program (YDP) director, a position which requires a positive relationship with the Community Action Agency (CAA) executive (through which the YDP is funded) and with the Youth Council in order to develop an effective program. The first of four sections of the guide describes the nature of the job by looking at the characteristics and operational styles of five successful directors, defining specific responsibilities, and examining the role of a director in a model project. The second section, program planning, contains a description of the two-phase planning process (preoperation and beginning operations as well as planning YDP operations that are in motion), the YDP guidelines, and a planning model. Mobilization of resources, the third section, discusses limiting factors, a four-step strategy negotiation, and some examples of success in this area in model programs. The final section discusses in what order Youth Councils and operational programs should be developed by presenting options and describing a specific model program. (Author/MS)