Presents the proceedings of the Nov. 1996 hearing before the Committee on Labor and Human Resources, U.S. Senate, which explored how the well-being of abused and neglected children can be improved through clarifying the reasonable efforts requirement of the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act to make the child's health and safety the primary concern. Testimony and statements are included from Mike DeWine, U.S. Senator from Ohio; Olivia Golden, Acting Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services; and representatives from other child and family service organizations.