Implementation dilemmas in North Carolina's Willie M. program.

The state of North Carolina entered into a consent agreement in response to a class-action lawsuit initiated by a class of emotionally or neurologically impaired children who had exhibited assaultive or violent behavior and who had been denied appropriate care and education. The consent agreement stipulates in detail a full range of services appropriate to each child's ability. The Willie M. program represents a dramatic shift in state-level child welfare services, but dilemmas deter the full realization of its potential. These dilemmas are discussed and illustrated.