To assist the Costa Rican Social Security Systems in designing a Rural Community Comprehensive Health Model, a study identified functional limitations among 1253 persons over age 7; assessed functional development of 293 children, ages 0-6; identified possible preventive factors of disability; and explored practices and resources in the districts of San Antonio and Quebrada Honda, Nicoya Country, Costa Rica. Methodology involved a household survey on disabling conditions and rehabilitation; evaluation of preschool children with the Denver Development Screening Test (DDSI), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC), and the Beery Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (VMI); and structured interviews of local health and rehabilitation leaders. Results indicated 5.76% of the total population and 4.5% of the preschool children had functional limitations, with physical, alcohol related and mental functional limitations representing the highest disability incidence. Conclusions indicated seven lacks such as lack of adequate stimulation for culturally deprived children, and lack of school and/or community resources for diagnosing disability in children. Recommendations included planning programs using local community associations and training more rehabilitation and special education professionals. (MC)