This monograph presents a comprehensive, community-based framework to support individuals, agencies, and communities in efforts to improve the well-being of children and youth. The monograph, with accompanying executive summary, features five childhood needs and describes promising strategies for meeting those needs. Chapter 1 of the monograph presents a vision for America in which all children are healthy and safe and develop to their potential with the support of a nurturing family and strong community. Chapter 2 identifies six key components of the framework: (1) a national vision for children; (2) approaches to meeting children's universal needs; (3) fundamental principles that can guide efforts to meet childrens needs; (4) ways that a broad range of people can be involved in meeting children's needs; (5) what is known about effective practices and programs and how this knowledge can be applied to meeting children's needs; and (6) key indicators for measuring progress. Chapters 3 through 7 each address one of the five universal needs of children: (1) "the basics," namely nutrition, economic security, adequate shelter and clothing, education, and primary and preventive physical and mental health care; (2) good relationships with family/caregivers, community members, and peers; (3) opportunities that motivate and equip children to succeed; (4) safety; and (5) healing when children have suffered harm. Each chapter summarizes relevant practical wisdom and research regarding the needs importance, presents statistics indicating how well the nation is meeting this need, describes some effective strategies to increase protective factors and avert/minimize threats to healthy development, and briefly describes model practices related to the need. Chapter 8 addresses community partnerships, social inclusion, the need to reshape professional roles, and concludes with a call to action. (Contains 404 endnotes.) (KB)