The publication outlines procedures to insure youth involvement in planning, operating, monitoring, and evaluating Youth Development Programs (YDPs) which provide educational, employment, leadership, and other experiences for disadvantaged youth. The programs are funded by the Office of Economic Opportunity through local Community Action Agencies (CAAs). An introduction describes the purposes of the YDP. Information is presented in two sections which deal with (1) the development and responsibilites of Youth Councils and (2) the relationship of Youth Councils to the CAA board and staff. The first section discusses the following in relation to Youth Councils: a basic definition, their function, youth involvement and council development, essential elements, organization, the target area and Community Youth Councils, and responsibilities. In the second section, reciprocal benefits of the relationship between Youth Councils and the CAA Board, maximizing the productivity of the relationship, and Youth Council representation on the CAA board are described. (Author/MS)