LINKED SERVICES Statement of Purpose

T he primary purpose of The Future of Children is to disseminate timelyinformation on major issues related to children’s well-being, with special emphasis on objective analysis, evaluation, translating existing knowledge into effective programs and policies, and promoting constructive institutional change. In attempting to achieve these objectives we are targeting a multidisciplinary audience of national leaders, including policymakers, practitioners, legislators, executives, and professionals in the public and private sectors. This publication is intended to complement, not duplicate, the kind of technical analysis found in academic journals and the general coverage of children’s issues by the popular press and special interest groups. In this issue of The Future of Children we provide an overview of the complex proposal for schools to play a significantly increased role in the coordination and/or provision of health and social services to children and their families. We have attempted to do this objectively from multiple perspectives in a format that is accessible to a broad readership. The special attention currently focused on our schools is in part due to a desire to improve education in this country to allow us to better compete among nations. There is increasin