This document reports on the efforts of big cities to confront the new politics of child and family policies in the United States. A 35-member Roundtable was convened in 1995 to analyze the initial impacts of the new federal legislation and assess consequences for urban children. Part I contains some brief remarks about the plight of big cities and the factors that leave them with heavy burdens and limited resources. "Big Cities and the New Federalism" by Margaret Weir offers an analysis of urban problems and possibilities under the new federal approach, and "The Permanent Urban Fiscal Crisis" by Ester Fuchs views the cities' fiscal crises. The final section of Part I reviews policy changes, opportunities, and problems created by Public Law 104-193 and sums up national project conclusions. Part II offers a look at specific cities, focusing on: Philadelphia (Pennsylvania); Baltimore (Maryland); Cleveland (Ohio); New York (New York); Boston (Massachusetts); and Los Angeles (California). Part III presents project conclusions, with messages to other cities and some recommendations. Part III also asserts that the city case studies indicate that there is a new federalism, and that the cities are entering it at a disadvantage. The political weakness of cities is clear, and their economic prospects are uncertain. Cities need a fair deal from their states, as discussed, and they need information about policy and the experiences of other cities if they are to face the new American political era. An appendix lists members of the Roundtable. (SLD)