A study reviewed outcomes of 34 prevention programs for children (ages 5-18) that produce improvements in specific psychological symptoms or in factors directly associated with increased risk for child mental disorders. The following conclusions can be made regarding validated programs: (1) short-term preventive interventions produce time-limited benefits, at best, with at-risk groups whereas multi-year programs are more likely to foster enduring benefits; (2) preventive interventions may effectively operate throughout childhood when developmentally appropriate risk and protective factors are targeted; (3) preventive interventions are best directed at at-risk and protective factors rather than at categorical problem behaviors; (4) interventions should be aimed at multiple domains, changing institutions and environments as well as individuals; (5) prevention programs that focus independently on the child are not as effective as those that simultaneously educate the child and instill positive changes across both the school and home environments; (6) there is no single program component that can prevent multiple high-risk behaviors, a package of coordinated, collaborative strategies and programs is required; and (7) in order to link to other community care systems and create sustainability for prevention, programs will need to be integrated with systems of treatment. (Contains 10 references.) (CR)