THE ASSOCIATION IS A NONPROFIT TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATION BASED IN COOK COUNTY, ILL., THAT PROVIDES LEGAL AND SOCIAL SERVICE ADVOCACY FOR ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN. LEGAL AND SOCIAL WORK CONSULTATION IS PROVIDED TO HOSPITAL-BASED INTERDISCIPLINARY CHILD ABUSE TEAMS AND TO STATE AND COMMUNITY SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES. THE ASSOCIATION ALSO PROVIDES ONGOING TRAINING AND EDUCATION TO SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS, MEDICAL AND SOCIAL SERVICE PERSONNEL, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND VOLUNTEER GROUPS. CASE ADVOCACY FOR ABUSED, NEGLECTED, AND SEXUALLY EXPLOITED CHILDREN IS PROVIDED BY REPRESENTING THESE CHILDREN IN JUVENILE PROCEEDINGS AND IN CRIMINAL AND DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS AS APPROPRIATE. THE ASSOCIATION HAS EXPANDED ITS SERVICES TO INCORPORATE CRISIS COUNSELING AND TREATMENT REFERRAL FOR SEXUALLY EXPLOITED CHILDREN AND SPECIALIZED TRAINING FOR PROFESSIONALS. THE HANDBOOK CONTAINS SUBSTANTIVE SECTIONS ON THE FOLLOWING: (1) PROVISIONS OF THE ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILD REPORTING ACT IN ILLINOIS (DEFINITIONS OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT, WHO MUST REPORT, WHEN TO REPORT, HOW A REPORT IS MADE, FOLLOWUP BY ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, THE PHYSICIAN'S POWER TO TAKE CUSTODY, PRIVILEGE AND CONFIDENTIALITY, AND IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY; (2) IDENTIFICATION OF SUSPECTED ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN (MEDICAL AND NONMEDICAL INDICATORS); (3) ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND DEPENDENCY (STATUTORY FRAMEWORK AND CASE LAW); AND (4) COURT PROCEEDINGS (PETITION FOR ADJUDICATION OF WARDSHIP, TEMPORARY CUSTODY HEARING, ADJUDICATORY HEARING, FINDINGS AT THE CLOSE OF EVIDENCE, DISPOSITIONAL HEARING, AND POSTDISPOSITIONAL CONCERNS). APPENDIXES CONTAIN THE ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILD REPORTING ACT, A MEDICAL GLOSSARY, SAMPLE QUESTIONS FOR MEDICAL WITNESSES, AND THE SUPERVISION ORDER USED IN COOK COUNTY. (DEP)