BASED ON STANDARDIZED OBSERVATIONS IN PRE-, PERI-, AND POSTNATAL CARE OF FAMILIES, WARNING SIGNALS INDICATE HIGH RISK FAMILIES FOR CHILD ABUSE AND 'FAILURE-TO-THRIVE.' CONCLUSIONS DRAWN FROM A STUDY ON 300 BIRTHS SUGGEST THAT THESE HIGH RISK FAMILIES COULD BENEFIT GREATLY FROM SPECIAL SERVICES, PARTICULARLY DURING POSTNATAL CARE. THE AUTHOR PROPOSES TO DEVELOP A SYSTEM OF LAY HEALTH VISITORS, WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, TO ASSURE THE BASIC HEALTH NEEDS DURING A CHILD'S FIRST FIVE YEARS OF LIFE. HE SUGGESTS THAT MATURE MOTHERS WOULD QUALIFY AS EXCELLENT HEALTH VISITORS. IDEALLY, THE HEALTH VISITOR WOULD VISIT THE FAMILY AT HOME FROM THE PRENATAL PERIOD ON, AND THUS GAIN INSIGHT INTO THE GENERAL FAMILY SITUATION. THE HEALTH VISITOR WILL BE OF PARTICULAR VALUE AFTER THE BIRTH OF THE BABY, NOT ONLY IN EDUCATING THE MOTHER ON BASIC INFANT CARE, BUT ALSO IN DETERMINING IF POSSIBLE CRISES OR ADJUSTMENT DIFFICULTIES EXIST IN THE FAMILY WHICH COULD INFLUENCE THE INFANT'S PROGRESS. HEALTH VISITORS COULD EASILY ASSESS WHICH CHILDREN MIGHT BE NEGLECTED OR ABUSED, WHICH CHILDREN ARE AT RISK. THE AUTHOR DISCUSSES THE ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY OF THE HEALTH VISITOR PROGRAM, SHEDDING SOME LIGHT ON FEDERAL SPENDING PRACTICES IN CHILD HEALTH CARE. VOLUNTARY RELINQUISHMENT AND EVEN LEGAL TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS IN CASE OF FAMILY ABUSE ARE VIEWED FAVORABLY BY THE AUTHOR. HE CONCLUDES THAT EVERY CHILD HAS A RIGHT TO HEALTH SUPERVISION, THAT PARENTAL NEGLECT OR HARM NECESSITATES SOCIETY'S INTERVENTION.