Guidelines and case studies of model programs are intended as resource materials to aid 22 organizations funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to encourage meaningful youth participation in policy decisions which affect youth, primarily in the juvenile justice, educational, and social systems. The first of three major parts briefly discusses why youth participation is essential, what youth gain from participation, and the key elements of youth participation. The second part provides practical guidelines for program implementation on organizational commitment, qualities of youth organizers, recruitment, incentives, getting youth interested in advocacy, developing commitment, training, skills, and opportunities for learning. The third part, comprising over half of the publication, describes a variety of advocacy activities that young people have handled successfully in actual projects developed to respond to local needs using local resources. They publish newspapers; produce handbooks, comic books, and guides; produce radio shows; and negotiate with public officials, and develop legislation. (RM)