THE CASE STUDY IS THAT OF THE NEGLECT SITUATION THAT LED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PARENT/CHILD FOSTER PLACEMENT PROGRAM AT THE TOMPKINS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, ITHACA, N.Y. IN THAT PROGRAM, SINGLE PARENTS AND THEIR ABUSED OR NEGLECTED CHILDREN ARE PLACED FOR LIMITED PERIODS OF TIME IN SPECIALIZED FOSTER HOMES. FOSTER PARENTS HELP THE CASEWORKER EVALUATE THE PARENT'S COMPETENCY, AND LONG-TERM GOALS AND SHORT-TERM TASKS ARE DEFINED IN PLANNING CONFERENCES INVOLVING THE PARENT, THE FOSTER PARENTS, THE CASEWORKERS, AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS. PERIODIC CONFERENCES ARE HELD TO ASSESS PROGRESS. THE CASEWORKER COORDINATES THE EFFORT. OTHER PROFESSIONALS ACT AS A RESOURCE TEAM FOR THE FOSTER PARENTS, WHO ASSUME THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROVIDING INSTRUCTION IN PARENTAL SKILLS AND (WHERE NECESSARY) LIFE SKILLS SUCH AS BUDGETING. THE GOAL OF EACH PLACEMENT IS THE EVENTUAL REMOVAL OF THE SINGLE PARENT AND CHILD TO AN INDEPENDENT LIVING SITUATION. PARENT/CHILD FOSTER PLACEMENT IS BASED ON THE FOLLOWING PREMISES: (1) THAT DIRECT OBSERVATION IN A SHELTERED ENVIRONMENT APPROXIMATING A NORMAL HOUSEHOLD IS THE BEST METHOD OF EVALUATING PARENTAL SKILLS; (2) THAT ABUSING AND NEGLECTING PARENTS USUALLY EXHIBIT MALADAPTIVE BEHAVIORS OR FUNCTIONAL DEFICITS IN ASSOCIATION WITH HISTORIES OF INTERGENERATIONAL ABUSE, NEGLECT, OR FAMILY PATHOLOGY; (3) THAT THE HEALTHY FAMILY IS THE BEST AGENCY FOR SOCIALIZATION, ROLE PRESCRIPTION, AND INSTRUCTION IN PARENTAL SKILLS; AND (4) THE SOCIETY'S GOALS ARE BEST SERVED BY STRENGTHENING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP (GIVEN THAT THE CHILD'S SAFETY IS ENSURED AND THAT THE PARENT IS ENGAGED IN POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL CHANGE). SUGGESTIONS FOR DEVELOPING AND FINANCING PARENT/CHILD FOSTER PLACEMENT PROGRAMS (LICENSING FOSTER HOMES, SELECTING AND TRAINING FOSTER PARENTS, COORDINATING COMMUNITY SERVICES, RENUMERATING FOSTER PARENTS) ARE OFFERED. THE POSSIBILITY OF EXTENDING SUCH PLACEMENT TO TWO-PARENT FAMILIES AND TO SINGLE WOMEN DURING AND AFTER PREGNANCY IS POINTED OUT, AS IS THE NEED FOR FURTHER STUDIES OF THE COSTS, BENEFITS, AND LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF PLACEMENT. (LKM)