The handbook is designed for community professionals and lay people concerned with child abuse and neglect. Information is presented on six topics: community organizing and community participation in planning for the protection of children, coordinating existing resources and developing a team treatment approach, developing an effective link between the social welfare and the public school systems, helping families through friendship and emotional support, developing ways for families to help families, and preventing abuse and neglect through education. A final section lists resource publications, programs and organizations. (CL)