The purpose of this Association is to develop and extend services for children and youth throughout the state of North Carolina with primary interest in and concern for the promotion of quality standards and practices in all services directed toward the prevention of delinquency, the status offender , and for treatment, care and protection of children and youth. The implementation of this this purpose includes: (1) cultivating interest and enlisting public support; (2) promoting and securing legislation to enhance services for children and youth; (3) strengthening professional standards for staff and programs and encouraging the initiation of preventive services.”