This manual provides a structure for professionals to work collaboratively with families in selecting outcomes for their special needs children. It does so through presenting a family-centered intervention approach to conducting the Individualized Family Service Plan or Individualized Educational Program meeting. Part I provides an introduction and a chapter on the rationale for the process. Part II devotes one chapter to each of the five stages in developing a family-centered intervention plan (FCIP): preparation, assessment, outcome selection, outcome writing, and review. The final section discusses issues and implications for intervention practices, including cultural issues, transdisciplinary principles, the role of the family and the service coordinator, and personnel preparation. The text uses a checklist approach to describe practices and remind professionals about aspects of care that are essential to a family-centered approach. Appendices offer reproducible forms and checklists and a detailed case example of the FCIP process. (References accompany each chapter.) (JDD)