This paper discusses the results of a study that investigated the effectiveness of the New Jersey Youth Incentive Program (YIP). The YIP program grew out of earlier private and public efforts and reflected national trends in the reform of mental health services for children. Cutting across most of these programs is the underlying principle that home-based, family-centered care within an integrated cross-system interagency structure will best serve troubled children and adolescents. This study utilized data gathered through surveys of 21 Care Assessment Resource Team (CART) coordinators, 97 CART members from the 27 state CARTs, and in-person interviews with 38 parents randomly selected from four geographic regions of the state, and 28 of their adolescent children. Results indicated the CART program is measuring up in many respects but falling short in some. Top priority is being given to children with special emotional needs who are at risk of, or referred for, residential treatment. Team membership represents a broad range of clinical and case planning expertise. Greater attention needs to be given to the composition of the CARTs to make them demographically more representative of the target families. Participating families did, however, receive the intended comprehensive and non-traditional services, which resulted in positive changes for the youth and their families. (CR)