The paper examines barriers faced by educators and administrators in serving young handicapped children in rural areas and suggests approaches to overcoming these barriers. Among problems identified are transportation; funding shortages due to a lower tax base and higher levels of poverty; unemployment, and seasonal employment; staff shortages; isolation leading to high turnover and unavailability of parent support groups; and resistance to change. Federal resources targeted for this population, including the Handicapped Children's Early Education Program and project Headstart, are briefly summarized. Five program models developed to serve one or more problems in service delivery to young handicapped children in rural areas are identified (including the Portage project, the Cooperstown Model, and the Macomb O-3 Rural Project). Program components that have successfully dealt with problems in transportation, funding, staffing, and isolation are noted. (CL)