An introductory chapter presents a parent's story of his daughter's mental illness and the family's efforts to secure appropriate services for her. Additional chapters examine initiatives to obtain adequate funding and legislation, to provide acceptable care for children in community-based settings, to oversee continued growth and improvement in current programs, and to promote the development of policy initiatives for the younger child. They also examine the role of parents for children and adolescents, explain efforts to provide support and advocacy training for parents, and give an overview of effective advocacy strategies. Further papers focus on the effectiveness of coalition building, advocacy experiences in Florida, the perspectives of a State mental health commissioner and a State mental health administrator, and the experiences of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and the National Mental Health Association. Lists of resources and organizations concerned with child mental health issues and summary of the organization and activities of an Ohio coalition.