Structuring the collaboration of science and service in pursuit of a shared vision

The enduring needs of our society highlight the importance of a shared vision to improve human functioning and yield better lives for families and communities. Science offers a powerful strategy for managing the inevitable uncertainty in pursuit of these goals. This article presents ideas and examples of methods that could preserve the strengths of the two major paradigms in children's mental health, evidence-based treatments and individualized care models, but that also have the potential to extend their applicability and impact. As exemplified in some of the articles throughout this issue, new models to connect science and service will likely emerge from novel consideration of better ways to structure and inform collaboration within mental health systems. We contend that the future models for effective systems will involve increased attention to (a) client and provider developmental pathways, (b) explicit frameworks for coordinating people and the knowledge and other resources they use, and (c) a balance of evidence-based planning and informed adaptation. We encourage the diverse community of scientists, providers, and administrators in our field to come together to enhance our collective wisdom through consideration of and reflection on these concepts and their illustrations.