IN NEW YORK CITY, A TOTAL OF 25,631 CASES OF CHILD MALTREATMENT WERE REPORTED IN 1975, COMPARED TO 21,807 IN 1974. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE SOCIAL-MEDICAL PROBLEM OF CHILD ABUSE HAS ASSUMED CRITICAL PROPORTIONS IN NEW YORK, IN PART DUE TO THE STRAINS CREATED BY POVERTY, HUNGER, RACISM, POOR HOUSING, DRUG ADDICTION, ALCOHOLISM, AND OTHER STRESSFUL CONDITIONS COMMON TO AN URBAN SETTING. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT HEALTH CARE SYSTEM PROGRAMS DEALING WITH CHILD ABUSE MUST TAKE PLACE WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF A COMPREHENSIVE EFFORT BY CITY GOVERNMENT TO ADDRESS THE SOCIAL PROBLEMS UNDERLYING CHILD ABUSE. THE NEW YORK FOUNDLING HOSPITAL CENTER FOR PARENT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT OPENED A COMPREHENSIVE INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT PROGRAM IN SEPTEMBER 1972. THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM ARE TO PREVENT SEPARATION OF PARENTS AND CHILD WHENEVER POSSIBLE, TO PREVENT PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN IN INSTITUTIONS, TO ENCOURAGE ATTAINMENT OF SELF-CARE STATUS ON THE PART OF PARENTS, TO STIMULATE SELF-SUFFICIENCY FOR THE FAMILY UNIT, AND TO PREVENT FURTHER ABUSE OR NEGLECT BY REMOVING CHILDREN FROM FAMILIES WHO ARE UNWILLING OR UNABLE TO PROFIT FROM THE TREATMENT PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM HAS SIX MAJOR COMPONENTS: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM APPROACH; USE OF SURROGATE MOTHERS (LAY THERAPISTS WHO FILL THE ABUSING MOTHER'S NEED TO BE MOTHERED HERSELF); A HOTLINE SERVICE FOR CRISIS SITUATIONS; A RESIDENT FACILITY FOR MOTHERS AND CHILDREN; A HALFWAY HOUSE FOR MOTHERS AND CHILDREN; AND FAMILY SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. THE NEED FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY COOPERATION IN COMBATING CHILD ABUSE IS STRESSED. (LKM)