This panel was developed to highlight the high quality research being undertaken to improve our understanding of program and policy implementation in complex systems. It focuses on papers that probing the implementation structures that are important in shaping and influencing frontline interactions across many policy areas. While earlier writing in public administration sought to minimize frontline discretion, considerable research during the 1980s-1990s documented the folly of that aim. Instead, in policy studies more attention is being paid to institutional and managerial mechanisms that can be directed to help assure that frontline discretion can support desired policy results. Additionally, more research stresses the important of deepen understanding of target groups’ behavior to improve implementation strategy. This panel brings together diverse scholars to consider these themes across different policy domains. Epp and Maynard-Moody look at police racial profiling and the way implementation resources are developed to try to intervene in this troubling practice. Watkin-Hayes highlights a particularly vulnerable group – HIV/AIDs infected women – and considers what their experiences mean for public service provision. Spillane integrates his decades of research in education policy implementation, examining the role of school and district managers. And Garrow looks at the shifting identity of both staff and target groups in a social entrepreneur organization. Taken together, these papers will help prompt new discussions and insights about this important level of policy and program implementation.