What is known about the incidence of child neglect is that approximately 65 percent of those children reported to social agencies throughout the United States are categorized as neglected. Neglecting parents manifest themselves through various factors that may include overt retardation, psychiatric illness, physical illness, ecological problems, development problems, substance abuse, and fanatical beliefs. Neglected children most commonly exhibit delayed development and growth in addition to varying degrees of malnutrition. Prior to undertaking intervention for neglectful families, every component of the family's interaction must be fully assessed. Interventions that have the greatest potential for success will involve home extension services, community infant development programs, mental health services, public health nurses, the school system, parent aides, medical care, financial planners, and protective services. Such comprehensive services are expensive and have suffered under recent government cutbacks. The effects of services must be constantly monitored, and intervenors' attitudes and strategies toward these families must be monitored constantly because of the difficulties of working with such families. The separation of parents and children may be the most effective option for enhancing the child's development. 4 readings.