A prereferral intervention program was instituted: to ensure that children within a Head Start program who had special needs were identified and referred in a timely manner; to prevent the mistaken referral or labeling of children with mild delays who did not require intervention; and to increase the effectiveness of the existing referral system. Behavioral checklists were developed and provided to teachers to aid them in identifying children with special needs. Teachers could then request prereferral consultations during which a special education consultant conducted teacher consultations, screenings, child observations, and reviewed the child's records. If, based on her findings, prereferral intervention was indicated, the consultant devised an individualized educational plan for the teacher to use with the child in the regular classroom. Follow-up consultations by telephone and in-person were conducted with the teachers and education supervisors. Results indicate that prereferral intervention can benefit teachers by giving them the confidence and tools to handle children they may otherwise have perceived as too difficult to teach. Many of the children, including some considered severely impaired, showed growth in academic and social areas when on prereferral intervention plans which is consistent with the movement to mainstream whenever possible. (Author/VW)