Examines a study of the most common service coordination mechanism-- the community coordinating committee. Offers recommendations to help communities determine readiness for coordinating committee formation, most appropriate committee type and focus, and most effective operating conditions. (RWB)

Describes an effective program for teaching children about the dangers of sexual abuse and abduction. The program does not introduce negative stories, examples, and other warnings that tend to create anxieties in children. Reports a study evaluating the program's effectiveness. (SKC)

Examines the distinction between good touch and bad touch, a critical concept that is taught in virtually every child sexual abuse prevention program. Hypothesizes that the reason the distinction is difficult for young children to learn and retain stems from limitations in their abilities to judge a person's character. (SKC)

Examines results of a four-county Indiana survey in which approximately 90% of attorneys and public agency caseworkers involved in court actions on child abuse cases revealed considerable conflict over each other's role. Suggests ways to clarify roles and ameliorate similar problems in other localities. (RWB)

Although fundamental in helping multiproblem families avoid placement, social support is a complex construct not easy to define and difficult to carry out conceptually and practically. Four family support programs are described that illustrate certain common denominators for implementation. (Author/RWB)

Evaluates the Family Program, a family-centered program in northern Virginia which provides intensive in-home support and treatment to families with children in the custody of county child welfare departments. The sample comprises 42 closed cases. Results show that families that are at risk benefit significantly from extensive support systems.…