In 1969, the Joint Commission on the Mental Health of Children made several recommendations based on the conclusions in their report entitled "Crisis in Child Mental Health: Challenge for the 1970's." These recommendations included formation of a child advocacy system at every level of society; the development of supportive, preventive, and remedial services within communities for any and all who needed them; increased support for research initiatives in children's mental health and related fields; and innovative manpower recruitment systems to alleviate shortages at all levels of the child service system. This document reviews the history of legislation affecting community based mental health treatment for children, both prior to and after the Joint Commission's study. Specific programs and legislation discussed include the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-415); the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (P.L. 94-142); the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-272); and the Child and Adolescent Service System Program (CASSP) of 1984. References are included. (TE)