As we enter the 21st century, we see that children's group therapy work leaves a legacy of psychosocial assistance dating back to the Y's, scouts, settlement houses, and Jewish centers from the first half of the century, to community organizing, psychiatric services, family agencies, correctional institutions and schools in the second half of the century. In the last quarter of the 20th century, children's group therapy prospered and then survived privatization, funding cuts, and managed care, and continues to meet the challenges in the field with new and innovative approaches while holding on to the knowledge base of group work. Group psychotherapy continues to be the treatment modality of choice for many of the problems that children experience. As we enter the 21st century, we can continue to take pride in the value group therapy offers to children, and in the role CGTA has taken to maintain the vitality and expand the applications of this modality.

CGTA is proud of its contributions to the profession. Since its founding in 1978, CGTA has added to the knowledge base, by promoting the only national children's group therapy conference, providing educational services and workshops , and serving as a forum the for the exchange of ideas and information. Once again, our 1999 conference broke attendance records. This year's 2000 Conference on May 5 promises an exciting range of issues including groups for adoptees, coping with eating disorders, multicultural youth, parenting preparation, and many other topics. The program features Lynn Sanford, Charles Brown, the Center for Family Connections, the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association, Betsy Miles from the Mass. Eating Disorders Association, Kathy Jantzen, Steven Gross, Mary Lou Pierron and Professor Jim Garland, Nancy Penland, Ken Barringer, and Peter Szuch, who will offer a variety of theoretical and practical approaches that will be useful to group workers from diverse settings. We hope to see you all on May 5th, and welcome you to join and participate actively in our programs throughout the year!