This paper is concerned with the problem that elderly persons do not seek or receive mental health services as frequently as their numbers or the incidence of mental health problems would indicate is appropriate. The report focuses on the identification of innovative mental health service delivery programs which have been designed to reach and to help the elderly. Several data collection procedures used to obtain information about model programs of this kind are described, including a literature review, telephone contacts with authors of model programs, inquiries to the Office of Aging to learn about federally-funded projects, telephone contacts with state offices of aging and offices of mental health, and a snowball sampling technique. Prior studies of model mental health programs are reviewed, state-level initiatives are described, and 10 services needed by the elderly are listed. Nine conclusions drawn from the review of model programs are presented and nine characteristics of innovative programs are noted. A summary section contains ideas for possible directions for Pennsylvania to take in the delivery of mental health services to the elderly in the areas of; (1) education; (2) packaging; (3) specialized services; (4) variety of services; (5) prioritizing disorders; (6) local initiative; (7) organizational linkages; (8) cross training; (9) lead agency; (10) program evaluation; and (11) service delivery models. Future directions and research plans are discussed. (NB)