Issues are presented which concern today's children, even those growing up under the best of environmental, social, and economic conditions. All will face an increased probability of emotional stress accompanying problems of living, undoubtedly resulting in increased demands upon child mental health services. The history of child mental health services and delivery systems, the collaboration between community mental health clinics (CMHC's) and public schools at various levels of intervention (individual and group), and problems facing CMHC's and schools in the area of mental health services are reviewed. Three prototypic models for delivery of CMHC child mental health services through collaboration with public schools are described in detail, including a school-based model, an adaptively-based model, and a clinic-based model. (Author/HLM)