Since women are more likely than men to experience co-occurring mental health and substance abuse problems, they have a greater need for comprehensive treatment models. Additionally, women of color often have less access to routine medical care where early diagnosis and intervention can be done, so their mental health and substance abuse problems are often more developed and complicated. Culturally sensitive social service practice is believed to increase many aspects of care including mutual communication, utilization of services, treatment effectiveness, and consumer satisfaction. Following background information on the problem of mental health disorders and substance abuse addictions in minority women, a discussion is included on the stigma surrounding women of color who have mental health or substance abuse problems. Service delivery and treatment program issues are reviewed followed by action steps communities can take to help address these problems. (Contains 88 references.) (JDM)