Book excerpt: With more than twenty years of hands-on leadership experience in federal, state, and local government, Gary De Carolis, President, Center for Community Leadership, is a leading authority in creating community-based systems of services and supports for children with disabilities and their families. His new book, A View from the Balcony, is a source of unique insight into leading, planning, and implementing effective systems change. You will: ? Learn from real-world examples how to design, build, and administer a system of care. ? Realize the vital role of parent organizations in all aspects of systems of care. ? Understand the theory and practice of effective leadership in systems of care. ? Discover how you can make a real difference in your community.