Mission Statement: This book investigates issues surrounding the creation of social policy and support systems for children and families in this emerging democracy. Approaches advocated by progressively oriented Lithuanian educators, mental health and human service professionals toward addressing these conditions are presented by Lithuanian and American educators and mental health practitioners who have been working toward the development of democratically based social institutions. CONTENTS: Introduction. The Emerging Democracy of Lithuania: A Society in Transition and Its Children. Dennis J. Ritchie and Judy W. Kugelmass. The American Professional Partnership for Lithuanian Education (A.P.P.L.E.): A Model for Successful Partnership and Action Research as a Vehicle for Educational Change. Emilija Sakadolskis. Changing the System of Services for Children At Risk: The Lithuanian Experience. Dainius Puras. Education in Post-Soviet Lithuania and the Inclusion of Children with Special Educational Needs. Judy W. Kugelmass and Alvyra Galkiene. Social Work in Lithuania: The Emergence of a New Profession and Its Entry into the Education System. Dennis J. Ritchie. Children’s Policy and Children’s Rights. Dalë Kabašinskaitë. First Things First: The Orphans of Alanta. Wendell Mayo. Contributing Authors’ Biographies.