The Missouri Children's Services Commission was created in 1983 to address children's needs through coordinated efforts. The commission has published this document with three purposes: (1) to present an outcome-oriented vision for Missouri's young people; (2) to summarize the broad range of conditions that affect the passage from childhood to maturity; and (3) to issue a call to action that connects education and health to family values. The first section of the document profiles Missouri's children according to the numbers of children since 1910; children's age group and race; the birth rate; and family living arrangements. The bulk of the document consists of chapters that discuss the topics of: (1) poverty, including public assistance and youth unemployment; (2) substance abuse, including the process of educating children about the effects of drug use; (3) child welfare, including child abuse and foster care; (4) children's health care, including infant mortality and medicaid; (5) mental health, including treatment of children with emotional disturbances and developmental disabilities; (6) education, including literacy and the problem of dropping out of school; (7) juvenile justice, including the use of community-based services; (8) child safety, including home and car accidents; and (9) child care, including facility licensing issues. The final section of the document issues a call to action to help Missouri's children. Sixteen objectives are listed for improving health care, parent-school partnerships, and providing a safe environment. (BC)