The articles in this feature or theme issue describe successful approaches to positive, community-based management of severe challenging behavior. Programs include: a train-the-trainer strategy for inservice training used across the country; the use of student volunteers as community integration facilitators; a school-based intervention project for 3-8 year olds with challenging behavior; and a framework for clinical treatment combining functional assessment with psychotropic drugs. The issue also addresses considerations and research findings related to quality of life and community integration and includes the stories of four individuals whose severe behaviors were remediated in community settings. Major articles include: "Ken: Building a Better Life" (Mary Piggott); "Removing the Barriers" (Joe Reichle); "Joining the Community" (Laura Piche et al.); "Quality of Life for People with Challenging Behavior Living in Community Settings" (Sheryl Larson); "Community Integration Programming as a Preventive Approach to Challenging Behavior" (Brian Abery and Becky Lundeen); "At Home in the Community"; "Inservice Training Project: Support for Community Living" (Richard W. Albin); "Learning to Work: Jack's Story" (Gerry Nord); "Breaking the Cycle of Challenging Behaviors: Early Treatment Key to Success" (David Wacker et al.); "Psychotropic Drugs and Developmental Disabilities: From Form to Function" (Timothy D. Hackenberg and Travis Thompson); and "Summary of the National Working Conference on Positive Approaches to the Management of Challenging Behavior". (DB)