CPS IS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE NASSAU COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CARRYING OUT STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS ON CHILDREN'S SERVICES. IT MAINTAINS EXCLUSIVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR RECEIVING, INVESTIGATING, AND MAKING DETERMINATIONS ON ALLEGATIONS OF CHILD ABUSE OR MISTREATMENT. THE STAFFING AND ORGANIZATION OF CPS IS DESCRIBED. CASEWORKER ISSUS, INCLUDING QUALIFICATIONS, STRESS, CASELOAD, AND CASEFLOW, ARE DISCUSSED ALONG WITH THEIR EVALUATIVE IMPLICATIONS. SERVICE INPUTS AND OUTPUTS ARE EXPLAINED. THE COST ANALYSIS SHOWS THAT THE GREATEST EXPENSES ARE ASSOCIATED WITH CHILD REMOVALS AND PETITIONS FOR CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT. LESSER EXPENSES INCLUDED DAY CARE, HOMEMAKER, HOME MANAGEMENT, AND HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES. SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE NASSAU COUNTY CHILD ABUSE COMMUNITY CENTERS PROGRAM ARE MORE DIRECT THAN THOSE OF THE CPS AND CONSTITUTE A MODEL FOR PUBLIC WELFARE AGENCY DELIVERY OF CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES. THE PROCESSES OF INTAKE, REFERRAL, SERVICE DELIVERY, AND FOLLOWUP OF THE COMMUNITY CENTERS PROGRAM ARE DESCRIBED CASEWORKER ISSUES ARE NOTED AND ANALYZED; CASELOADS AND CASEFLOW, SERVICE INPUTS AND OUTPUTS, AND COST ARE EVALUATED. THE DATA SHOW THAT THE PROGRAM IS RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF CPS, AND IMPROVEMENTS IN SERVICE DELIVERY HAVE BEEN EFFECTED. THE CPS STAFF AND ADMINISTRATORS HAVE MADE EVERY EFFORT TO INSURE OPTIMUM UTILIZATION OF SERVICES AND HAVE PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN ACHIEVING OVERALL SUCCESS. THE EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT THE COMMUNITY CENTERS PROGRAM IS AN EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE CONTINUING MODEL; ITS ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT ARE SUFFICIENTLY WELL-DEVELOPED AND TESTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE GUIDANCE FOR REPLICATION IN ANY PUBLIC AGENCY. TABULAR DATA AND FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. (BAC)