The paper reviews problems encountered by communities serving urban Blacks with serious emotional and behavioral disorders and discusses approaches used in Southside Chicago. Demographic factors affecting provision of service for Black students are detailed. The Illinois Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities has provided funds for psychotherapeutic services at four outpatient programs and six day treatment programs as well as to five mental health centers. Statistics on hospitalization are considered along with information on public school approaches. A collaborative approach in which community owned and operated services are important is emphasized. The spectrum of needed services is viewed in a three echelon model: early treatment and primary prevention; longer term, more intensive treatment; and special long term residential treatment. The need for cooperation and trust among agency workers is underlined. (CL)