This special issue examines multicultural aspects of services provided by agencies concerned with children's mental health. The lead article is titled "Developing Culturally Competent Organizations" by James L. Mason. This article uses the cultural competence model to discuss an organization's self-evaluation and its planning in the areas of attitudes, practices, policy, and structure. Examples of innovations in this area are provided in "Cultural Competence: New Frontiers," (James L. Mason). Next, using focus groups to identify areas for materials development, and building trust among local organizations are encouraged in "Outreach Efforts To Involve Families of Color in the Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health" (Barbara Huff and Mary C. Telesford). "South Carolina Department of Mental Health Cultural Competence Plan" (Dolores Van Rensalier Macey and Jerome Hanley) provides a description of the plan's policy, administration, clinical services, human resources development, community relations and research. Dorothy Williams then reports in "Cultural Competence: Building a State Level System of Change in Pennsylvania" that, in order to develop a statewide infrastructure, the staff would have to integrate cultural competence into the design. Additional articles include: "Research Frontiers in Building a Culturally Competent Organization" (Marva P. Benjamin); "Cultural Competence and the Juvenile Justice System: Irreconcilable Differences?" (Mareasa Isaacs-Shockley); and "My Grandma's House: Reaching Out To Underserved Families of Children and Youth with Neurobiological, Emotional or Behavioral Differences" (Delfina Pena Roach). Excerpts from an interview with Professor James Leigh of the University of Washington complete the issue. Individual articles contain references. (DB)