The Office of Juvenile and Delinquency Prevention funded a model designed to improve the literacy level of youth in juvenile detention and correctional facilities. The model specified training language arts teachers and relevant staff and volunteers in direct instruction methods for rapid improvement of students' comprehension, particularly for those with reading disabilities. In 1991, competitive grants were awarded to the Mississippi University of Women (MUW) and the Nellie Thomas Institute (NTI)--both experienced in using intensive systematic phonics with at-risk youth and young adults. NTI noted significantly increased skills in composition, vocabulary, mechanics, and spelling for 75 percent of participants (young adult inmates at the Soledad Penitentiary). MUW had similar experiences working with inmates in the Mississippi prison system. Educators (teachers and volunteers) representing 12 states were trained. In three states, the juvenile correctional officials agreed to release results of their phonics instruction. Significant strides were accomplished and reported by MUW, NTI, and two sites in Ohio. Designed to teach illiterate youth to read and write, these programs offered a nontraditional, motivational approach that provided students with immediate positive feedback and then encouraged them to strive for success. The programs used a progression of logically sequenced, multisensory lessons. A large part of the curriculum focused on development, integration, and application of phonics. (Contact persons and addresses are listed.) (YLB)