DEVELOPED IN A COMMUNITY HOSPITAL IN TULSA, OKLA., THE PROGRAM BEGINS DURING A MOTHER'S PREGNANCY, WHEN A CHILD IS BORN, OR WHEN A CHILD IS PRESENTED TO THE PEDIATRIC UNIT FOR HOSPITALIZATION. MEMBERS OF THE AT-RISK TEAM INCLUDE PEDIATRICIANS, A PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE COORDINATOR, A SOCIAL WORKER, A PEDIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE, AND A DIETITIAN. A CHILD AND FAMILY ARE ASSESSED IN TERMS OF CERTAIN AT-RISK CRITERIA WITH REGARD TO MEETING THE NEEDS OF NORMAL FAMILIES AND THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES SHOWING POTENTIAL FOR POOR PARENTING SITUATONS. AT-RISK TEAM MEMBERS, UPON REFERRAL OF A PARENT OR CHILD, OBTAIN GENERAL INFORMATON ABOUT THE SIZE OF THE FAMILY AND THE ROLES OF ITS MEMBERS AND ON THE FAMILY'S SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL STATUS. IN THE MOST SEVERE CASES OF CHILD ABUSE FOUND IN THE COURSE OF THE PROGRAM, THE MARITAL OR ONGOING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ADULTS HAD CONSISTENTLY BROKEN DOWN SOME TIME BETWEEN THE CONCEPTION OF THE CHILD AND THE TIME ABUSE OCCURRED. PATTERNS OF VIOLENCE IN THE HOME HAVE ALSO BEEN ENCOUNTERED BY THE AT-RISK TEAM. PARTICULAR EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON FAMILIES WHOSE ATTITUDES TOWARD HEALTH ARE POOR. INPATIENT PROTOCOLS AND TEACHING PROGRAMS ON CHILD AND FAMILY HEALTH ARE CONDUCTED, AND FAILURE-TO-THRIVE INFANTS ARE OF SPECIAL CONCERN TO THE AT-RISK TEAM. CHILDREN FROM PEDIATRIC AND NEWBORN AREAS OF THE HOSPITAL AND CHILDREN REFERRED BY OUTSIDE AGENCIES ARE ACCEPTED AT A SPECIALTY CLINIC KNOWN AS THE PEDIATRIC AT-RISK OUTPATIENT CLINIC. GOALS AT THE AT-RISK PROGRAM ARE TO OFFER COORDINATED AND CONTINUOUS MEDICAL CARE FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES, TO INCREASE A FAMILY'S FEELINGS OF PERSONAL WORTH AND PROVIDE PARENTS WITH INCREASED KNOWLEDGE OF HEALTH MAINTENANCE TECHNIQUES, TO IDENTIFY AREAS OF FAMILY STRESS, TO FACILITATE REFERRAL AND FEEDBACK, AND TO EVALUATE THE LEVEL OF SAFETY OF A CHILD IN HIS OR HER HOME. (DEP)