This report provides an overview of the family information gathering process in early intervention. Family information gathering is an important element in the provision of early intervention services to families with children from birth to age 3 who have disabilities or who are at risk for developmental delays. A family's socioeconomic status, overall education level, and cultural, linguistic, and ethnic background, which contribute greatly to the home environment, affect both family goals and views of services, as well as their participation in the family information gathering process. This report discusses family information gathering as an ongoing and interactive process by which professionals gather information to determine family priorities for goals and services (their resources, priorities, and concerns). A brief overview of four family information gathering philosophies is presented, followed by an examination of the strategies most typically employed (i.e., family interviews, the use of tools and instruments, and direct observation). Issues specific to cultural and linguistic diversity, as they relate to family information gathering, are integrated throughout this report, which includes extensive references, an annotated bibliography, and a list of available resources from the CLAS Web site. (Author/SG)