This fact sheet explains the concept of "systems of care" in meeting the mental health needs of children and adolescents with behavioral, emotional, or mental health problems. Community-based systems of care provide a coordinated range of mental health and related services and supports. Teams representing public and private organizations work together to plan and implement a tailored set of services for each individual child's physical, emotional, social, educational, and family needs. Services represented may include mental health, health, education, child welfare, juvenile justice, vocational counseling, recreation, substance abuse, etc. In addition, "cultural competence" is a goal in systems of care. Culturally competent caregivers are aware of the effect of their own culture on their relationships with consumers and know about and respect cultural and ethnic differences. The paper stresses the role of the case manager in coordinating the system of care. Evidence is cited that effective systems of care reduce residential treatment placements, improve children's behavior and emotional well-being, improve school performance, and reduce law violations. (DB)