This document synthesizes the critical issues discussed at a symposium designed to examine strategies that social institutions, particularly child care and early education institutions, can use to bolster parent and family effectiveness in providing healthy environments for children. First, the document describes four dimensions of parent choice: (1) enabling parent selection of appropriate services; (2) empowering parents; (3) improving quality; and (4) reforming the early care and education system. Next, the document assesses the present effectiveness of choice in each of the four areas identified as dimensions of parent choice. Finally, the document outlines specific strategies for addressing shortcomings in each of the four dimensions of parent choice. Contains 34 references. (MM)