A CENTRAL PREMISE OF THE STANDARDS PRESENTED IS THAT NEW LAWS AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES MUST HAVE A CONSISTENT AND INTEGRATED SET OF GOALS AND POLICIES FOR THE ENTIRE SYSTEM-FROM THE SCOPE OF MANDATORY REPORTING LAWS TO THE TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS. STANDARDS ARE PROPOSED FOR EACH OF THE MAJOR DECISIONS MADE: THE SCOPE OF MANDATORY REPORTING LAWS, THE BASIS FOR COERCIVE COURT INTERVENTION, THE GROUNDS FOR REMOVING CHILDREN FROM THEIR HOMES, BOTH PRE-AND POSTADJUDICATION, THE GROUNDS FOR RETURNING CHILDREN TO THEIR PARENTS, AND THE BASIS FOR TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS. IT ALSO PROPOSES PROCEDURAL STANDARDS FOR MAKING EACH OF THESE DECISIONS AND ESTABLISHES MECHANISMS FOR INSURING THE QUALITY OF ALL INSTITUTIONAL DECISIONMAKERS. FINALLY, STANDARDS ARE PROPOSED TO REGULATE THE PROCESS OF 'VOLUNTARY PLACEMENT' OF CHILDREN INTO FOSTER CARE WITHOUT COURT INTERVENTION. DEFERENCE IS GIVEN TO 'FAMILY AUTONOMY' IN DECISIONMAKING FOR OTHER VOLUMES IN THE SERIES, SEE NCJ-42751-42754, AND NC-42780-42790....RCB