This is a descriptive study of the cOlTImunity process by which a complaint is made to a protective service agency. It is by this proce s s that deviant child care is fi r st identified and the deci sian to take action is made. The study develops a typology of the cOlTIplaint proce s sand identifi(3 s seven elelTIents as significant in complaints that reach community agencies. The elements were: the calTIplaint situation, the precipitating events that brought the complaint situation to the attention of SOlTIeone outside the nuclear falTIily, the relationship between the cOlTIplainant and family, the cOlTIplainant's