A rationale for early childhood and parent involvement programs is provided in this volume, along with guidelines and examples of how to proceed. Each of its nine chapters includes a bibliography. Chapter 1, "Rationale for Early Intervention," examines such topics as the importance of the early years, teaching parents to intervene, and cost effectiveness. Chapter 2, "Program Administration," covers identification, responsibilities of the coordinator/director, confidentiality, medication, and other topics. Philosophy, staffing pattern, theoretical models, and the child and the environment are discussed in chapter 3, titled "Conceptualizing and Developing a Program." Chapter 4, "Coordinating Community Resources," looks at a rationale for interagency coordination, overcoming barriers, and the data collection process. Among the topics considered in chapter 5, "Screening and Assessment," are screening, the IEP (individual program plan), and appropriate evaluation procedures. In chapter 6, "Curriculum," sections look at major program areas, social/emotional sequences, and the gifted handicapped. Chapter 7, "Parent Involvement," examines the effect of a handicapped child on the family system, problem-solving counseling, parent advisory committees, and other topics. Chapter 8 is titled "Staff Development" and chapter 9 covers "Evaluation." The manual includes a glossary of about 40 terms. Appendix A describes funding sources and appendix B gives examples of evaluation forms. (JC)