PARENTS WHO ARE AT RISK FOR ABUSING OR NEGLECTING THEIR CHILDREN OFTEN DISPLAY EARLY WARNING SIGNALS--PROBLEM DRINKING, REPEATED JOB LOSS, UNWANTED PREGNANCIES AT A YOUNG AGE, POOR UTILIZATION OF MEDICAL CARE, UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS CONCERNING THEIR CHILDREN, AND INABILITY TO CONTROL CHILDREN'S BEHAVIOR AND MAINTAIN SCHOOL SCHEDULES. THIS REPORT REVEALS AT-RISK PARENTS TO BE FREQUENT USERS OF SOCIAL SERVICES INCLUDING PRENATAL CLINICS, COMMUNITY CENTERS, WELFARE DEPARTMENTS, EMPLOYMENT OFFICES, AND DRUG PROGRAMS. THEY, THEREFORE, COULD BE SPOTTED BY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS AS POTENTIAL ABUSERS. HOWEVER, ANALYSIS OF INTERVIEW RESPONSES AND REVIEWS OF THE AGENCIES' RECORDS SHOW THAT AT-RISK PARENTS SEEKING ASSISTANCE THROUGH THESE INSTITUTIONS RECEIVED LITTLE HELP WITH CHILD-CARING CONCERNS, AND 22 WERE LATER REPORTED AS CHILD ABUSERS. REASONS GIVEN BY AGENCY PERSONNEL FOR THIS FAILURE TO INTERVENE INCLUDE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OR SKILLS IN DEALING WITH WARNING SYMPTOMS, RELUCTANCE TO ADD TO ALREADY HEAVY WORKLOADS AND LACK OF TIME, AND IGNORANCE OF RESOURCES TO HELP PARENTS. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR SOCIAL AGENCY STAFFS BE DEVELOPED FOR ENABLING THEM TO IDENTIFY AND INTERVENE WITH THE AT-RISK PARENT AND THAT A NATIONAL SYSTEM BE ESTABLISHED FOR CENTRALLY REGISTERING CLIENTS IN NEED OF HELP SO THAT AT-RISK PARENTS COULD BE TRACKED. A MODEL TRAINING SYLLABUS IS ATTACHED AS WELL AS STUDY INSTRUMENTS, TABULAR DATA, AND REFERENCES. (DAG)