Speakers described a program focusing on low- birthweight babies and their families in Pittsburgh; the public/private partnership to improve child health and prevent child disability in Orange County (Calif.); and the role of urban health departments in Medicaid managed care, publicly funded managed care, and children's health. The individual initiatives are describes with respect to their inclusion of women's health services, perinatal health services, child immunizations, early intervention with children, school-linked or school-based services, efforts to address adolescent pregnancy and parenting, efforts to improve access to care for urban children and families, and approaches to strengthening urban public health systems in the area of maternal and child health. The narratives cover the location, purpose of the specific initiative, linkages with other agencies and sectors, barriers to implementing the initiative, funding, indicators of success, and adaptability to other urban communities. Appended conference agenda, names and addresses of speakers and participants, and list of planning committee members