A conceptual model of self-regulating service delivery is proposed for use
by governments, planners, and policy makers to help children reach optimal
adult functioning. It addresses most problems of present service delivery a
nd is applicable to children in the general population and registered consu
mers of mental health, child welfare, special education, drug dependency an
d juvenile justice (young offender) services. It has four essential compone
nts: (1) outcome measurements that reflect the mental health statuses of ch
ildren in services and in the general population; (2) regular feedback of t
hese measurements to governments, the public, and service delivery organiza
tions; (3) powerful and significant rewards and incentives for the most des
ired outcomes to increase their salience and to motivate provider behavior;
and (4) decision making that cart affect all entities that con tribute to
the health of children. The evaluable expected benefits are improved mental
health for children and greater efficiency within the "system.".