Sources of major breakdowns among parents with severe psycho-social problems are presented in terms of isolation from family and community support networks, as well as ways in which their preschool children are subject to developmental delays and are "at risk" for child abuse and neglect. PACE is described as a treatment and education program for parents and their preschool children which intervenes in a repeated generational cycle of fragmented and unstable family relationships, emotional deprivation, neglect and developmental/social problems in children. Every aspect of the program leads to the ultimate objective of building natural support systems for isolated families in order to enable them to cope with the stress of raising young children. Funding issues related to programs such as PACE which focus on the prevention of family breakdown are raised. (Author)