The government of the United States is concerned about the welfare of teenagers. They recognize these young adults as the future citizens of the nation. The departments of labor, defense and social welfare of the government work closely with local communities in an effort to offer cheap or free programs to give teenagers a constructive purpose and a positive future.

At first government programs for troubled teens were harsh and punitive to the point of being abusive. Reform schools and schools for delinquent youth were virtual prisons. As social attitudes and justice systems evolved and changed these programs became places where youth were reformed through counseling and therapy. Expert counsellors help teens to lead a better way of life and guide give them a positive outlook to become well adjusted adults.

Community programs are funded by the government to help youth resist risky behavior. Several programs are organized to help children with different types of programs. These programs range from drug rehabilitation to behavior correction. Expert counselors and other staff with special training to help troubled teenagers are assisted in these programs. Low income families particularly benefit from these programs because they offer effective professional help for teenagers without charging a fee.

Government aided programs for troubled youth are effective because the government is answerable to the tax payer. The government therefore has stringent terms by which they fund programs for troubled youth. The funding is higher than private funding. They are therefore able to pay experts in the field of adolescent counseling to treat troubled teenagers. The funding is also sufficient to cover establishments and administrative costs for long periods of time. Government funded programs are in a position to give expert training to staff so that the program will give positive benefits to troubled teenagers. Government summer jobs are given to teens as lifeguards, assistants and clerks to help them get meaning and purpose in their lives.

The other advantage of government programs for teenagers is that they are consistently and constantly reviewed. The government monitors programs to check if they are effective and finds ways of improving the program. If the program is ineffective, funding is withdrawn and funds are increased for programs that show success in rehabilitating troubled teens.

Government funded programs give teens work to do after school. Some programs help to reduce early damaging behaviors like smoking, drinking and drugs and help teenagers to make an effort to become better adults. The intervention is by experts who are qualified in psychology or social work. They work with teens in a systemic and scientific way to give them a better future.

Though parents from low income families find government funded programs a boon because they are free. Parents should check whether the program is licensed by the Commission of Accreditation of Rehab facilities. The credentials of the staff of the program should be verified before admitting the teen. Any complaints made against the program on account of abuse and the success rate of the program should also be checked before their child is sent to the program.