This issue of "Focal Point" explores some of what is known and unknown about strengthening social support. This introduction outlines some of the major concepts and themes in research on social support, and some implications of this research for interventions in children's mental health. This sets the stage for the rest of the issue, which presents information and examples that can be helpful in future efforts to design and implement social support strategies and interventions for children and families. The articles presented in this issue include: (1) Strengthening Social Support (Janet S. Walker and Melanie Sage); (2) My Greatest Ally (Craig Delano); (3) Building Family-to-Family Support Programs: Rationale, Goals, and Challenges (Henry T. Ireys and Diane Dvoskin Sakwa); (4) Unmasking Lena (Lena Gladden); (5) The "Keys for Networking": Targeted Parent Assistance (Jane Adams, Elizabeth Westmoreland, Corrie Edwards, and Sarah Adams); (6) Techniques for Assessing Social Support (Mary I. Armstrong); (7) Social Support from Adults and Peers in Early Adolescence: It's a Balancing Act (Naida Silverthorn and David L. DuBois); (8) Wraparound and Natural Supports: Common Practice Challenges and Promising Coaching Solutions (Greg S. Dalder); and (9) Natural Supports from a Parent Perspective (Greg S. Dalder and Lyn Gordon).