Forging strategic partnerships to advance mental health science and practice for vulnerable children

The purpose of this article is to present a conceptual framework for advancing mental health science and practice for vulnerable children that is in accord with the Surgeon General's priorities for change. Three elements distinguish the framework presented. It is: (a) population-focused, (b) child-centered, and (c) partnership-based. Empirical research is presented to illustrate an application of the model. The application addresses a nationally recognized risk to child development (i.e., maltreatment) and incorporates a nationally funded protective influence for low-income children (i.e., Head Start). This model provides a framework for child-oriented psychologists, including school psychologists, to respond to the magnitude of challenges facing vulnerable children within educational settings.