FORMED IN MARCH 1978, ACT IS A STATEWIDE COALITION OF INDIVIDUALS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND AGENCIES THAT FOCUS THEIR EFFORTS ON A WIDE RANGE OF CHILDREN'S ISSUES. VOLUNTEERS DID THE PRELIMINARY PLANNING FOR ACT WITH FUNDING FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE AND ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM LOCAL CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES. AFTER AN INITIAL, WELL ATTENDED CONFERENCE ON CHILD ADVOCACY, AN INTERIM STEERING COMMITTEE INCORPORATED ACT, DEVELOPED BYLAWS, APPLIED FOR TAX EXEMPT STATUS, AND RAISED LIMITED FUNDS. AT THE FIRST ANNUAL MEETING IN OCTOBER 1978, PARTICIPANTS SELECTED FOUR PRINCIPAL ISSUES FOR ACT'S ATTENTION: DAY CARE FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN, SERVICES FOR ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN, JUVENILE JUSTICE, AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN. THE COALITION PUBLISHED REGULAR REPORTS AND HAS SUPPORTED LEGISLATION CONCERNING SEXUAL ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN AND CHILD PLACEMENT POLICIES. PROBLEMS INCLUDE DEVELOPING LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS IN RURAL AREAS, INADEQUATE FUNDING, AND DUPLICATION OF EFFORTS AMONG CHILD WELFARE GROUPS. FUTURE GOALS ARE DESCRIBED IN DETAIL TO INCLUDE PUBLICATION OF A HANDBOOK AND MEMBERSHIP EXPANSION. A CHART IS INCLUDED. THE APPENDIXES CONTAIN ACT BROCHURES, GUIDELINES FOR BUILDING A CHILD ADVOCACY COALITION, AND THE ACT BYLAWS. (MJM)