In recent years attention has been given to the problems of the chronically mentally ill in regard to the effects of deinstitutionalization and a need for community supports. In this study, 77 service providers to the chronically mentally ill of Multnomah County (Portland), Oregon were interviewed to assess the components of the existing community support system for this population, as well as to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the system. Ten chronically mentally ill clients were interviewed in a similar manner.Although a multitude of problems were reported, service providers most frequently mentioned the need for residential situations, for case management and services coordination, and for financial resources.Clients, on the other hand, most frequently mentioned the need for employment for financial resources, and for transportation. Special problems of minority groups were reported by half of the service providers. While service providers most frequently spoke of the community as being neutral towards, or rejecting of the chronically mentally ill·,.clients tended to view the community as accepting.There were differences of opinion among service providers regarding the existence of interagency cooperation and case management. Existing case management and services coordination were reported to be, for the most part, on an informal basis. While the majority of pervice providers said that case management should be the responsibility of one agency, problems were anticipated in the development of greater interagency cas.e management.ii Varied degrees and types of professional training were reported by service providers, although the majority reported at least one deficit in training of staff. Service providers and clients offered suggestions for improvements in service delivery.