This monograph for health care professionals considers the impact that chronic illness and disability have on youth and their families and provides information on adapting principles of family-centered care to promote resilience in adolescents and their families. The monograph stresses the need for community systems of comprehensive services integrated with education, social services, mental health, and family support programs. The eight principles of family-centered care include: (1) recognizing that the family is the constant in an adolescent's life, while service systems and support personnel fluctuate; (2) facilitating adolescent, family, and professional collaboration at all levels of health care; (3) sharing unbiased and complete information among adolescents, families, and professionals in a supportive manner; (4) recognizing strengths and individuality while respecting different methods of coping and honoring cultural diversity; (5) implementing appropriate policies and programs that are comprehensive in therms of providing emotional and financial support to meet the needs of adolescents and their families; (6) understanding and incorporating the developmental needs of adolescents and their families into health care; (7) encouraging and facilitating peer and family-to-family support and networking; and (8) assuring that the design of health care delivery systems is responsive to adolescent and family needs. Family assessment is explained with a sample family genogram illustrated. Strategies that promote the healthy functioning of adolescents with chronic illness and disability and their families are addressed. Collaboration between adolescents, families, and providers during the process of transition is emphasized. (Contains 24 references, and a list of 17 resources whose programs provide direct services to youth and their families, or to individuals, families, and providers. (CR)