THE INITIAL FOCUS OF THE 4-C ORGANIZATIONS ON DAYCARE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN OF LOW-INCOME PARENTS IS NOTED, AS IS THE ORGANIZATIONS' GROWING INTEREST IN A WIDE RANGE OF PROBLEMS AND NEEDS AFFECTING CHILDREN. THE POSSIBILITY THAT CHILDREN MAY BE THE LAST MINORITY IN THE UNITED STATES TO ACHIEVE RECOGNITION AS CITIZENS WITH CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS IS BROUGHT OUT. CHILD ADVOCATES ARE REMINDED THAT CHILDREN CAN SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES AND SHOULD BE LISTENED TO. SEVERAL LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS RELATED TO THE RIGHTS OF MINORS ARE CITED, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING: THE 1967 U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION RECOGNIZING CERTAIN DUE PROCESS RIGHTS OF JUVENILES; ILLINOIS' CHILDREN'S RIGHTS LEGISLATION; THE CONCEPT THAT CHILDREN SHOULD HAVE SEPARATE LEGAL COUNSEL IN CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT CASES; THE IDEA THAT CHILDREN LIVING IN FOSTER HOMES HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE LEGALLY FREE OF THE PARENTS WHO DID NOT WANT THEM; 'RIGHT TO EDUCATION' SUITS FILED ON BEHALF OF HANDICAPPED CHILDREN; ACTIONS ON BEHALF OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN LABELED MENTALLY RETARDED AS A RESULT OF INTELLIGENCE TESTS WHICH ALLEGEDLY FAIL TO TAKE LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL DIFFERENCES INTO ACCOUNT; AND COURT DECISIONS GRANTING MINORS THE RIGHT TO OBTAIN MEDICAL CARE AND INFORMATION WITHOUT THEIR PARENTS' CONSENT. PROJECTS FUNDED BY THE OFFICE OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE, ARE CITED, INCLUDING STUDIES OF INSTITUTIONS AND LABELING, AND CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT PREVENTION EFFORTS. THE NEED FOR COOPERATION BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AGENCIES CONCERNED WITH CHILDREN'S RIGHTS AND NEEDS IS NOTED. (LKM)