The primary source of information was the DSS-150 form completed by Department of Human Services workers within 48 hours after investigating allegations of child abuse or neglect. DSS-150 data were entered into an automated system starting with FY 1978. The study found 5,233 documented reports of child abuse and neglect during FY 1981, a 72 percent increase over FY 1978 and a 155 percent increase over FY 1979. The figure for FY 1981 suggests that almost 3 percent of all children in Jefferson County were reported as abused or neglected. The research also discovered that the primary source of child maltreatment reports is the community-at-large, although reports by professionals are more likely to be confirmed than those from friends and neighbors. In addition, physical abuse increased as a problem relative to the entire maltreatment picture. Almost half of all reports involved preschool children and over 10 percent were under 1 year. Recommendations, reporting forms, and tables.