In Summer 2000, the Maryland Coalition of Families for Children's Mental Health developed a project designed to reach families with children in the juvenile justice system and learn from their experiences. Two-hour focus groups throughout the State brought together 95 family members, who were caring for 86 children. Group members discussed their children's and their own experiences with the juvenile justice system and other topics, including: finding help, house arrest, detention and out-of-home placement, successful rehabilitation, over-representation of minority youth, and impact on the family. Based on input from participants in the focus groups, the Coalition recommended the following ways to improve services for children at risk of committing offenses, children who have offended, and their families: (1) a system of care including law enforcement, education, substance abuse, mental health, social services, and the justice system; (2) families and surrogate families as full partners; (3) aggressive early intervention programs; (4) an independent statewide special advocate program; (5) police training in responding to mental health issues and out-of-control or threatening youth; (6) training for juvenile judges and masters on ways to support and strengthen families; (7) integration of mental health and substance abuse services into all juvenile justice programs; (8) no waiver of children to the adult criminal justice system; and (9) development of local family support groups. Figures, appendixes