The Court Improvement of Foster Care and Adoption Program began nationwide with Federal funding in 1994. Court improvement program activities were to include the use of a State advisory group to guide the efforts, the assessment of current practice in child abuse and neglect cases, the development of an assessment report and recommendations for court improvement in this area, and the implementation of recommendations. Twenty-five reports received by July 1997 were analyzed with respect to their findings and recommendations. Results revealed sincere professional concerns about how State court systems work to improve the lives of abused and neglected children and their families. Results indicated the need for improved data collection and case management systems; training, including cross-disciplinary training; improved legal representation and advocacy for children and families involved in child abuse and neglect cases; education, support, and technical assistance for judges; evaluation; and training regarding interstate cases. Tables, footnotes, and appended recommendations and contact information from each of 25 states