Contextual issues for strategic planning and evaluation of systems of care for American Indian and Alaska Native communities: an introduction to Circles of Care.

This introduction to the evaluation component of the Circles of Care initiative includes background on the nature of the initiative, Center for Mental Health Services support for developing systems of care for youth with emotional disturbances, and an overview of the systems of care approach. The prevalence, unique challenges, and the historical, political, and cultural context of health care delivery for American Indian and Alaska Native peoples are also discussed.