This document is part of a series designed to provide guidance for communities and caregivers interested in building exemplary systems of care for children with serious emotional disturbances. The monographs show that the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program has evaluated and developed promising practices and directly improves the health and lives of children and families throughout the country. This volume examines the success stories of 34 families with children who suffer from emotional and behavioral disorders. In the grant communities studied, "success" seemed to occur when the following elements were present: (1) families were fully engaged in services; (2) providers listened to families' priorities and addressed the highest priorities first; (3) services addressed the needs of the entire family; (4) services were designed on the basis of the families' identified strengths and needs; (5) services promoted and strengthened the connection between family and community; (6) providers were persistent in meeting families' needs and were fully accessible; (6) services were flexible and provided nontraditional supports; and (7) services provided opportunities for family empowerment. Appendices discuss the benefits of parent involvement in the study. (Contains 38 references.) (CR)