Throughout its 79 year history, the Child Welfare League of America has advocated for public policies that benefit America's children and families. This report presents the League's 1999 legislative agenda, focusing on stopping child abuse and strengthening families. The position statement details four issues identified as top legislative priorities for the first session of the 106th Congress: (1) improvement and expansion of prevention and treatment for substance-involved families in child welfare; (2) increased resources for independent living preparation and support for older youths in foster care; (3) protection of youths in custody and increased support for prevention and effective intervention as part of juvenile justice legislation; and (4) increased opportunities for permanency for children waiting for homes by extending adoption assistance to more children with special needs. The report also discusses the federal budget surplus and presents proposals in the President's budget for investments for children and families. The major part of the report presents background and actions taken for each of the four top legislative priorities, plus recommendations to restore Title XX block grant funds for child protection, invest in quality child care, ensure health care for children, help young people to prevent or cope with early parenthood, and preserve fair housing protections for children and youth. Four appendices define key legislative terms, list members of key congressional committees, discuss priorities for voter registration, and delineate seven steps for advocating for the children's legislative agenda. (KB)