THE PRACTITIONER'S PERSPECTIVE IS PROVIDED IN DISCUSSIONS OF THE ROLE OF EVALUATION RESEARCH IN MENTAL HEALTH DECISIONMAKING. THESE PAPERS COVER EVALUATION FROM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSPECTIVE (LEAA); (2) IN RELATION TO TWO NATIONALLY SUPPORTED COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS, THE COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS (CMHC) AND THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT PROGRAM (CSP); IN RELATION TO A CSP IN NEW JERSEY; AND IN RELATION TO A CMHC FROM A LOCAL AGENCY VIEWPOINT. ANOTHER ARTICLE ABOUT AID TO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES POINTS OUT THAT EVALUATION SYSTEMS SHOULD TRACK INPUTS AND OUTPUTS AGAINST SCHEDULES, MEASURE PROJECT EFFECTS, DIAGNOSE PROBLEMS, AND PRESCRIBE SOLUTIONS. THE ACADEMICIAN'S PERSPECTIVE IS PROVIDED IN THE DELINEATION OF THE APPROPRIATE FRAMEWORK IN WHICH TO ORGANIZE RESEARCH FINDINGS. A STRATEGY FOR MEDIATING COMPETING PERSPECTIVES IS SUGGESTED, AND THE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE OVERALL PROBLEMSOLVING PROCESS IS IDENTIFIED. FINALLY, EMPIRICAL RESULTS ARE PRESENTED FROM STUDIES DESIGNED TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS WITH WHICH EVALUATION IS TRANSLATED INTO POLICY. TABULAR DATA, REFERENCES, AND FOONOTES ARE INCLUDED. FOR INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, SEE NCJ 63681-84. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)