AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE AGENCIES WHICH HANDLE CASES OF CHILD NEGLECT OR ABUSE ARE NOT ORGANIZED TO MEET THE TOTAL NEEDS OF THE FAMILY. INSTEAD, SERVICES ARE FRAGMENTED AMONG VARIOUS AGENCIES. THIS LEADS TO LACK OF COORDINATION AND, OFTEN, LACK OF DECISIONMAKING. THIS DECISIONMAKING CAN BECOME CRUCIAL IF THE CHILD IS IN DANGER IN THE HOME. OFTEN PROFESSIONALS FIND IT DIFFICULT TO HANDLE REMOVAL OF CHILDREN BECAUSE THEY EITHER SEE THE CHILD AS A VICTIM AND PUSH TOO SOON FOR REMOVAL OR THEY OVERESTIMATE THE PARENTS' ABILITY TO COPE WITH THE SITUATION AND LEAVE THE CHILD IN THE HOME TOO LONG. FOR THESE REASONS, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT EVERY CHILD ABUSE CASE HAVE AN ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR. THIS COORDINATOR SHOULD NOT BE DIRECTLY INVOLVED WITH THERAPY. SUCH A PERSON NOT ONLY WOULD COORDINATE THE EFFORTS OF VARIOUS AGENCIES WORKING ON THE CASE, HE OR SHE ALSO WOULD BE IN CHARGE OF DECISIONS INVOLVING COURT ACTION. THIS ADMINISTRATOR SHOULD HELP THE WORKER PREPARE THE COURT CASE AND PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR COURT APPEARANCES. IN ONE CASE, IT TOOK THE PRESENCE OF SEVERAL MALE ADMINISTRATIVE AND STAFF PERSONNEL IN THE COURT TO ALLEVIATE A PHYSICAL THREAT TO A FEMALE WORKER. SUCH OVERALL SUPPORT CAN HELP THE SOCIAL WORKER FUNCTION MORE EFFECTIVELY. (GLR)