The article conceptualizes case management in the context of the health service delivery system as a set of goal-oriented activities which organize, coordinate, and monitor service delivery based on measurable objectives intended to meet the needs of chronically ill children and their families. The functions, objectives, and procedures associated with comprehensive case management are identified, and the facilitative role played by the case manager is described. The functional elements of case management are: (1) information dissemination and referral; (2) intake and screening; (3) needs assessment; (4) consensus development of case management plan; (5) implementation of plan; (6) caregiver training; (7) monitoring of plan implementation (measurement of efficiency); (8) evaluation of client progress (measure of effectiveness); (9) refinement of the case management plan; and (10) reassessment. The case manager serves as an informed ombudsman and caregiver trainer for the child and family, and as an informed planner/organizer of the service delivery and financing systems. (JW)