THE TASK FORCE WAS ESTABLISHED IN RESPONSE TO THE MURDER OF A 9-YEAR-OLD GIRL BY HER FATHER AND STEPMOTHER. IT RECOMMENDED THE PROVISION OF RESPONSE TO REPORTS OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT WITHIN 24 HOURS, THE DEVELOPMENT OF A WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN JUVENILE POLICE AND PROTECTIVE SOCIAL SERVICE WORKERS, AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CHILD PROTECTION TEAM WITH A POSITION OF CHILD PROTECTION COORDINATOR. THE FUNCTION OF THE TEAM WAS TO BE ADVISORY AND CONSULTATIVE IN NATURE IN WORKING WITH ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. ADMINISTRATIVELY, THE TEAM IS UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE COUNTY'S OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES. TEAM MEMBERS INCLUDE THE CHILD PROTECTION COORDINATOR, A PROTECTIVE SERVICE SUPERVISOR, A PEDIATRICIAN, A COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSE, A SUPERVISOR OF PUPIL SERVICES, AN ATTORNEY, A CHILD PSYCHIATRIST, AND AN OFFICER FROM THE JUVENILE SECTION OF THE COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE TEAM MEETS WEEKLY FOR 3 TO 4 HOURS AND CONSIDERS CASE PRESENTATIONS, AS WELL AS PROBLEMS RAISED BY PROTECTIVE SERVICE WORKERS REGARDING CASE MANAGEMENT AND BROAD SOCIAL ASPECTS OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT. IT ALSO FULFILLS AN EDUCATIONAL FUNCTION BY PROVIDING INSERVICE TRAINING TO COUNTY HOSPITALS AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL AND LAY GROUPS ABOUT THE IMPLICATIONS AND REPORTING OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT. EXPANSION EFFORTS ARE PLANNED TO IMPROVE THE TEAM'S DELIVERY OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT SERVICES. CHARACTERISTICS OF CASES HANDLED BY THE TEAM ARE DESCRIBED. THE UTILITY OF THE TEAM APPROACH IN DEVELOPING BETTER COMMUNICATION AMONG AGENCIES, IN DECISIONMAKING, AND IN DEVISING PLANS AND INTERVENTION STRATEGIES IS DISCUSSED. (DEP)