A TASK FORCE ON CHILD ABUSE WAS CHARGED BY THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE WITH DEVELOPING PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE SERVICES TO ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. UNDER A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, THE TASK FORCE DEVELOPED THE POSITION OF CHILD PROTECTION COORDINATOR AND INCREASED HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STAFFS TO RECEIVE AND INVESTIGATE REPORTS. A MULTIDISCIPLINARY CHILD PROTECTION TEAM, WHICH INCLUDED SCHOOL STAFF, WAS FORMED TO EVALUATE CASES AND DEVELOP SERVICE PLANS FOR HANDLING CASES. A POLICY STATEMENT ON CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT WAS ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. IN 1974, PROJECT PROTECTION WAS INITIATED THROUGH FUNDING OF THE U.S. OFFICE OF EDUCATION. THE PROJECT'S EFFORTS HAVE INVOLVED FOUR PHASES: POLICY REVISION, STAFF DEVELOPMENT, DIRECT SERVICE TO COUNTY NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT. THE SCHOOL SYSTEM'S POLICY STATEMENT ON CHILD ABUSE WAS REVISED TO REQUIRE THAT ALL SCHOOL STAFF REFER TO PROPER AUTHORITIES ANY SUSPECTED VICTIM OF CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT AND TO EMPHASIZE THAT ANY DOUBT ABOUT REPORTING A SUSPECTED SITUATION SHOULD BE RESOLVED IN FAVOR OF THE CHILD. THE POLICY, WHICH INCLUDES REPORTING PROCEDURES WITH A SAMPLE REPORTING FORM, EXPLAINS THAT IMMUNITY FORM ANY CIVIL OR CRIMINAL LIABILITY IS GRANTED UNDER STATE LAW. STAFF DEVELOPMENT, THE LARGEST PART OF PROJECT PROTECTION, WAS CARRIED OUT AS A THREE-PHASE OPERATION WITH A 1-DAY CONFERENCE FOR ALL PUBLIC SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL, FOLLOWED BY AN INTENSIVE 2-DAY SEMINAR FOR SCHOOL PUPIL SERVICES ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF. FINALLY, THE STAFF CONDUCTED LOCAL STAFF DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS DURING REGULARLY SCHEDULED SCHOOL FACULTY MEETINGS. THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY SCHOOLS, THERE HAS BEEN A STEADY RISE IN CASES REPORTED SINCE PROJECT PROTECTION. SEVERAL CASE HISTORIES OF CHILD ABUSE ARE CITED, AND THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT PHASE OF PROJECT PROTECTION WHICH ADDRESSES THE PREVENTION ASPECTS OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT IS DESCRIBED. (MJW)