Fischer presented a methodological framework which combined empirical methods of data collection with interpretive and philosophical approaches to provide a useful model for studying mental health policy for children and adolescents. The levels of the method include: (1) study of cause-effect relationships; (2) phenomenological analysis to interpret situations; (3) behavioral systems approach to relate values and system variables; and (4) political and social philosophy comparisons of political and social life. This study used Fischer's framework to survey state mental health agencies about the status of child and adolescent mental health standards in each state. In the first level, a state-level survey of community mental health directors and children's service coordinators used an empirical approach to rank factors influencing policy and service systems. At the second level, interviews with stakeholders in the mental health system probed for factors influencing policy. For the third level, the national standards survey provided a glimpse of system-wide behavior on the use of mental health standards. A fourth level values analysis was not undertaken. Future research might combine Fischer's framework with Elmore's backward mapping approach. (ABL)