Includes bibliographical references (p. 277-296) and index.

Why do young people deserve special attention? -- Key messages -- Designing effective interventions -- Policy conclusions -- Introduction -- The motivation for the study -- Definitions, data, and methodologies -- The organization of the report -- Laying the groundwork -- Motivations for focusing on at-risk youth -- The youth cohort, particularly those considered at-risk, is growing -- The costs of not investing in at-risk youth is very high for young people, their families, and society -- A conceptual framework and its application for policymaking -- The conceptual framework and definitions -- Moving from the conceptual framework to policy -- Identifying at-risk youth for better programming and targeting -- A characterization of at-risk youth -- Using the risk typology for targeting prevention programs -- Using the risk typology for targeting for second chances -- Conclusions -- Informing policy by understanding of the trends and causes of risky behavior in LAC -- Understanding the nature and the magnitude of risky behavior -- Leaving school without learning -- Difficult integration into the labor market : joblessness and job turnover -- Risky sexual behavior -- Crime and violence -- Substance use -- Identifying the factors that put youth at risk -- Why do young people engage in risky behavior -- Key factors correlated with risky behaviors -- Cumulative effect of factors -- Conclusions -- Helping young people to make good choices : programming, policy, and implementation -- Principles for building an effective portfolio for youth at risk -- Investing in at-risk youth leads to lower demands on the public purse in the future -- Preventing risky behavior begins at birth -- At-risk youth need second chances -- Effective targeting is the key to results -- The most effective portfolio will prioritize policies and programs that affect multiple risks -- Include only effective policies in the portfolio -- Prioritizing what works -- Core policies : strategies that work and are recommended for implementation -- Nine promising approaches that ought to work and should be tried, accompanied by careful impact evaluation -- General policies with a surprisingly strong effect on youth at risk -- Moving from a wish list to action -- Improving the portfolio for at-risk youth in a budget-constrained environment : reallocate resources away from ineffective programs toward recommended programs -- Improving the portfolio for at-risk youth in a budget-constrained environment : collecting, analyzing, and using data -- Assign and coordinate institutional responsibilities based on comparative advantages -- Investing in youth in LAC : key messages and conclusions -- Key messages -- Defining an effective portfolio of policies and programs -- Moving forward -- Appendix A : Population in LAC by age and sex -- Appendix B : Methodology for estimating the cost of negative youth behavior -- Appendix C : Methodology for devising the typology of at-risk youth -- Appendix D : Measuring youth outcomes -- Appendix E : Estimated taxpayer costs and crime-reduction benefits of 16 crime prevention programs -- Appendix F : Sources of information for evaluated programs.