This report examines the crime prevention potential of child care and after-school programs for at-risk children and youth. Part 1 of the report, "Assessing the Crime Prevention Impact of Child Care and After-School Programs," presents research information on the effectiveness of early childhood/parenting skills training and after-school programs for crime prevention. This section discusses the results of the Perry Preschool and Syracuse studies, which found that early childhood services cut chronic offenders by 80% and delinquency by 90 percent. Research assessing the impact of parenting education and family support programs on the incidence of child abuse and neglect suggests that these strategies would be effective in reducing delinquency and crime. Data suggest that peak hours for violent crime are between 3 and 8 pm, thus after-school programs have the potential to reduce crime rates in two ways: (1) immediate safe haven and control effects; and (2) values and skills effects. Part 2, "America's Child Care Crisis: A Crime Prevention Tragedy," addresses difficulties in obtaining quality child care and the lack of investment in child care. This section notes research documenting the lack of affordable early childhood care, especially for low-income families; and the need for affordable after-school care. The report maintains that federal and state governments fall short of the investments needed to protect public safety, and that investing in quality child development and after-school programs would save money in the long run. There is emerging unanimity among anti-crime leaders that investments in early childhood and after-school programs would reduce crime. (Contains approximately 100 references.) (KB)