Current modes of implementing evaluation and accountability procedures can be examined with respect to their implications for the three aspects of the community psychology approach and the delivery of community mental health services: indirect services (consultation, community education, and prevention), supervision and training of caregivers, and direct services. The relationship of evaluation and accountability procedures to program development is a bi-directional one, and some of the consequences of present evaluation and accountability practices may be of mixed, or even negative, value. Specific actions available to the community psychologist that might result in a greater correlation between the development of evaluation and accountability mechanisms and acceptance of the community psychology approach include such strategies as remaining associated with the formal community mental health system or participating as an evaluator for nonestablishment community systems that have arisen independent of the formal CMHC system. (Author)