Local community change for service to children

Child psychiatrists in the United States recognize that there are hindrances and barriers that delay and obstruct the establishment of good psychiatric services for young people. Services are impeded by a number of myths and invalid assumptions as well as by a lack of national purposes to serve children who suffer. There are some things to do, nevertheless. One is education of the public as to children's maltreatment. Others are advocacy on behalf of children's expanding rights, working within establishment channels to eke out needed changes, forming coalitions with activist groups of special interests and pleading, and upgrading our own profession.