The project, Extending Family Resources, was designed to assess the impact on 14 families of raising children with handicapping conditions and to implement a model program to reduce obstacles facing those families. The model emphasized incorporating under-involved relatives, friends, and neighbors into the family's support network. Performance contracts were developed and regularly evaluated, and stipend money was available to help reduce barriers of expenses, time, and skills. Recruitment of family supports was undertaken by the families themselves as well as by project staff. Service plans addressed such needs as respite care, additional home programing, additional equipment, and transportation. Training focused on a variety of topics, including handling and positioning techniques, feeding skills, and behavior management. Data from analysis of family and staff impact revealed that family support systems with a variety of trained participants can reduce stress related to a child's handicapping condition. An analysis of the stipend component is followed by results of a survey of economic, social, and psychological factors contributing to family stress in 448 cases. Stress ratings of the medium income group were frequently as high as or higher than those of the lowest income group. The severity of the child's disability was highly related to the number and severity of the parents' problems. (CL)