A HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT AND A FEW EXAMPLES OF RECENT RESEARCH POINT OUT THE MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN AND THE BEHAVIOR PATTERNS OF THE CHILD AND PARENT; A CHART SUMMARIZES THESE CHARACTERISTICS. DISCUSSIONS ON REPORTING LAWS, CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT STATUTES, AND THE ADJUDICATORY PROCESS PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK TO ANALYZE STATE LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS. CHARTS PROVIDE DETAILED INFORMATION ON PRESENT LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS IN EACH STATE, AND LIST ADDRESSES OF THREE ORGANIZATIONS WITH GUIDELINES FOR MODEL LEGISLATION AND SYSTEMS FOR CHILD ABUSE PROGRAMS. PROCEDURES TO ORGANIZE A STUDY GROUP AND LAUNCH A PUBLIC INFORMATION PROGRAM INCLUDE HOLDING GENERAL INFORMATION AND PROFESSIONAL AWARENESS MEETINGS TO DISCUSS CHILD ABUSE ISSUES, KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAW AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION, THE DETECTION OF CHILD MALTREATMENT, SELF-REPORTING TECHNIQUES (ESTABLISHMENT OF A HOTLINE FOR PARENTS), AND TRAINING MEMBERS TO LECTURE BEFORE COMMUNITY GROUPS. SEVERAL EXAMPLES OF THE COUNCIL'S ACTIVITIES IN PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL SERVICES IN THE AREA OF CHILD ABUSE ARE NOTED. INTERESTED GROUPS ARE ALSO ADVISED TO TAKE SURVEYS OF COMMUNITY REPORTING PRACTICES AND SERVICES AND TO DEVELOP FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS, SUCH AS PARENTS ANONYMOUS, FAMILY OUTREACH CENTERS, CRISIS CARE CENTERS, OR FAMILY LIVING CENTERS. FINALLY, THESE GUIDELINES STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING A COALITION FOR MONITORING SERVICES PROVIDED TO PARENTS AND CHILDREN AND FOR ADVOCATING NEEDED CHANGES IN THE SERVICE SYSTEM. REFERENCES AND SURVEY FORMS ARE INCLUDED, AND APPENDIXES CONTAIN A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY ON CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, FILMS ON THE SUBJECT, SOURCES FOR ADDITIONAL MATERIALS, AND A GLOSSARY OF TERMS. (WJR)