The symposium sought to understand what local communities and schools can do to minimize problems confronting children and families at risk, such as violence, alcohol and drug abuse, emotional disorders, and factors that impede children's readiness to learn and cope. The symposium also attempted to evaluate how community leaders can work with schools to implement programs of demonstrated effectiveness. Symposium participants discussed the importance of early intervention and prevention, family support, and education to deal with problems faced by children and families at risk.