PROTECTIVE SERVICES IS USUALLY A UNIT WITHIN A DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES CHARGED BY BOTH CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LAW WITH INVESTIGATION OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE. UPON RECEIPT OF A REPORT FROM A HOSPITAL, SCHOOL, OR OTHER SOURCE, A PROTECTIVE SERVICES WORKER INVESTIGATES THE REPORTED INJURIES, VISITS THE HOME, AND GATHERS ALL POSSIBLE INFORMATION ON THE FAMILY SITUATION TO DETERMINE APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO PROTECT THE CHILD. NEARLY ALL SUCH UNITS HAVE TOO LITTLE MONEY, TOO FEW STAFF, AND EVER-INCREASING CASELOADS. SOME SUCH CENTERS INVESTIGATE ONLY CHILD ABUSE CASES, REFERRING CHILD NEGLECT CASES TO OTHER DIVISIONS. A REVIEW OF THE BALTIMORE (MD.) CHILD ABUSE UNIT'S FIGURES FOR 1974 SHOWED THAT 50.7 PERCENT OF REFERRALS CAME FROM HOSPITALS, 9.2 PERCENT FROM OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS, 7.9 PERCENT FROM LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICES CENTERS, 7.6 PERCENT FROM POLICE, 6.9 PERCENT FROM FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, 6.9 PERCENT FROM SCHOOLS, AND 2.6 PERCENT FROM PRIVATE AGENCIES. JUVENILE COURTS ACCOUNT FOR 2.5 PERCENT, PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES 1.4 PERCENT, AND THE STATE'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE 0.5 PERCENT. IF THE INVESTIGATION REVEALS THE CHILD IS IN SERIOUS PHYSICAL DANGER OR THAT AN EMERGENCY SITUATION EXISTS, THE WORKER HAS THE AUTHORITY TO ENTER THE HOUSEHOLD AND TO REMOVE THE CHILD TEMPORARILY. THE WORKER CAN REQUEST POLICE ASSISTANCE TO ENTER THE HOME. IF REQUESTED BY THE PROTECTIVE SERVICES AGENCY, THE LOCAL STATE'S ATTORNEY MAY ASSIST IN THE INVESTIGATION. IF THE ABUSE RESULTS IN DEATH, THE POLICE AND STATE'S ATTORNEY ARE OF NECESSITY INVOLVED AND THE PROTECTIVE SERVICES WORKERS INVESTIGATE THE SITUATION OF OTHER CHILDREN IN THE FAMILY. CHILDREN MAY BE LEFT IN THE HOME WITH THE SUPERVISION OF A PUBLIC HEALTH WORKER, BE PLACED WITH FRIENDS OR RELATIVES, BE PLACED IN A FOSTER HOME, OR BE PLACED IN AN INSTITUTION. PROTECTIVE SERVICES USUALLY TRIES TO KEEP A CHILD IN THE HOME BUT MAY REQUEST OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT IN SERIOUS SITUATIONS. THE APPROACH IS GENERALLY REHABILITATIVE WITH COURT ACTION, PARTICULARLY CRIMINAL COURT ACTION, USED IN ONLY THE MOST SEVERE CASES. (GLR)