THE PROJECT ATTEMPTS TO DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF REPORTED AND NONREPORTED CASES OF ABUSE/NEGLECT, IDENTIFY 'HIGH RISK' FAMILIES BASED ON SPECIFIC CASE DATA, AND ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CURRENT LOCAL AND STATE SYSTEM FOR DETECTING, REPORTING, AND PROVIDING TREATMENT FOR ABUSE/NEGLECT CASES. DATA WERE COLLECTED FORM LOCAL SCHOOLS, NURSERY/DAY CARE PROGRAMS, HUMAN SERVICE AGENCIES, HOSPITALS, AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE REPORT INCLUDES AN HISTORICAL AND LEGAL OVERVIEW, DESCRIBES ASPECTS OF CHILD ABUSE (E.G., WHAT CONSTITUTES ABUSE, WHO ABUSES WHOM, AND REASONS FOR ABUSE), DEMOGRAPHY OF LOWER NAUGATUCK VALLEY, AND METHODOLOGY. FINDINGS ON THE STUDY IDENTIFY TYPES OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT AND CHARACTERISTICS OF AGENTS OF ABUSE. THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS ARE OFFERED: INSERVICE EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN HOSPITALS, SCHOOLS, AGENCIES, AND DAYCARE/NURSERY PROGRAMS FOR DETECTING AND DIAGNOSING CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT; A PARENT/CHILD ADVOCATE GROUP; SECURING THE SERVICES OF A PROTECTIVE SERVICE WORKER TO INVESTIGATE SUSPECTED CASES AND EMPLOYING A PROFESSIONAL TO OFFICIALLY REPORT CASES; AND TREATMENT DIVIDED AMONG A PARENT ANONYMOUS GROUP, A REHABILITATIVE PROGRAM FOR PARENTS WHO HAVE HAD OR FEEL THEY WILL HAVE CHILD ABUSE PROBLEMS, AND PARENT GROUPS TO PROVIDE COUNSELING FOR ABUSIVE PARENTS. LEGISLATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS FOCUS ON IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF CHILD ABUSE INTERVENTION. FINALLY, HOT LUNCH PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN AT FREE OR REDUCED RATES ARE RECOMMENDED.