MOST STATES HAVE A DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES WHICH IS DESIGNATED TO RECEIVE REPORTS OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT. THE AGENCY COORDINATES THE INVESTIGATION OF THESE REPORTS, AND PROVIDES OR ARRANGES FOR FAMILY ASSISTANCE. USUALLY A SPECIFIC SUBUNIT FOR CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES DEALS DIRECTLY WITH THE INVESTIGATORS, CHILDREN, AND PARENTS. REPORTING LAWS AND PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE 'BATTERED CHILD SYNDROME' RESULTED IN AN INCREASE IN THE CASELOAD FOR THESE AGENCIES. EMPLOYEES OF CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES CONFRONT NUMEROUS DIFFICULTIES IN SUBJECTIVELY DEFINING EACH CASE OF SUSPECTED ABUSE, AND PROVIDING THE APPROPRIATE SOLUTION FROM LIMITED RESOURCES. MOST STATES HAVE A CENTRAL REGISTER OF CHILD PROTECTION CASES IN ORDER TO IMPROVE DIAGNOSIS AND MONITORING. HOTLINES ARE USUALLY AVAILABLE FOR THE RECEIPT OF REPORTS AND REFERRALS. MANY FACILITIES ARE UNDERSTAFFED AND POORLY MANAGED. ADDITIONALLY, THE EXISTENCE OF RECORD KEEPING SYSTEMS MAY INFRINGE UPON THE PARENTS' RIGHTS OF PRIVACY AND DUE PROCESS, UNLESS SUCH SYSTEMS ARE USED SOLELY FOR SOCIAL WORK, AND ADEQUATE NOTICE OF THE DATAS' USE IS GIVEN TO THE PARENTS. THE INVESTIGATION PROCESS CONSISTS OF THE RECEIPT OF THE REPORT, SUBSEQUENT INTERVIEWS AND OBSERVATIONS BY THE INVESTIGATOR, AND THE LEGAL EVALUATION AND DISPOSITION. THE IMMEDIATE SAFETY OF THE CHILD AT HOME ALWAYS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IN THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS. FOOTNOTES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)