The Action for Children Commission was created in 1991 to study the lives of young Minnesotans, develop a vision of what their lives should be like, and make recommendations concerning the state's role in realizing that vision. After examining the conditions experienced by Minnesota youth, the report recommends that the state help to: (1) mobilize communities, workplaces, schools, and other institutions to strengthen families' abilities to raise their children and assure that they are ready for school; (2) reduce poverty for all families with children; (3) make children and youth active partners in community decision-making; (4) celebrate cultural diversity and end all forms of discrimination; (5) require schools to become active partners with parents, youth and community agencies, social and health services, businesses, and young people; and (6) overhaul the state service delivery system to produce better results for children and families. Seven appendixes provide the following materials: a fact sheet giving background information on the Action for Children Commission; statewide poverty, health, and education statistics; a summary of statewide meetings concerning child and family support; a summary of major reports on issues concerning children and the family; a bibliography containing 34 references; and a report of the Service Delivery Committee. (MDM)