This paper reviews social support programs designed to have a preventive impact on young adolescents. A review of supportive programs for reducing adolescents' risks of educational failure and poor health has identified a number of innovative school- and community-based support programs. School-based support programs are aimed at enhanced classroom participation, mobilization of parent and teacher support, encouragement of peer leadership, reorganization of the school environment to produce stable and supportive peer groups, and provision of school-linked clinics. Community-based support programs include youth organizations, youth participation in community projects, mentoring programs for inner-city youth, visiting nurse programs for pregnant adolescents, and special programs in black churches that are aimed at enhancing support to young adolescents and increasing their academic skills. An executive summary is followed by sections on: (1) adolescent transition and risk; (2) social support for adolescents; (3) ingredients of successful social support programs for adolescents; (4) supportive interventions for adolescents in the schools; (5) support from school-linked clinics; (6) community supports for adolescents; (7) personal support though mentoring; (8) personal support through outreach; and (9) directions for future research. A total of 58 references are cited. (RH)