THIS REPORT DESCRIBES SEVERAL STEPS UNDERTAKEN BY A RESEARCH GROUP FROM SAN FRANCISCO STATE COLLEGE PRELIMINARY TO THE PROPOSED CREATION OF A RESEARCH CENTER FOR STUDIES OF DISADVANTAGED PRESCHOOL CHILDREN. THE PLANS ANTICIPATE FORMATION OF A COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE, RESEARCH, AND TRAINING CENTER FOR DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE COMMUNITY SELECTED FOR PLACEMENT OF THE CENTER WAS HAYES VALLEY IN SAN FRANCISCO. IT HAS A LONG HISTORY OF POVERTY, IS OVERCROWDED, AND HAS VERY POOR FACILITIES FOR THE POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT OF ITS YOUTH. THE RESEARCH GROUP CONTACTED SEVERAL COMMUNITY GROUPS ALREADY ORGANIZED IN HAYES VALLEY TO DISCUSS THE CENTER AND THE POSSIBILITIES OF COOPERATION BETWEEN THEM. A SPECIFIC SITE FOR THE CENTER WAS LOCATED. THE SPECIFIC SERVICES THE CENTER IS TO PROVIDE INCLUDE PROGRAMS FOR THE PRESCHOOL CHILDREN IN THE FORM OF NURSERY SCHOOL AND OTHER DAY AND NIGHT CARE FACILITIES, PROGRAMS FOR THE OLDER YOUTH, A PROGRAMS BENEFICIAL TO THE PARENTS OR FAMILY AS A WHOLE. A SECONDARY PURPOSE OF THE CENTER IS TO BE A TRAINING FACILITY, NONPROFESSIONAL IN SCOPE FOR LOCAL CITIZENS INTERESTED IN SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL WORK AND PROFESSIONAL IN SCOPE FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS. THE MANIFEST BREADTH OF THE CENTER'S CONTRIBUTION TO THIS DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITY REFLECTS THE GROWING NEED TO MEET NOT ONLY THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF DISADVANTAGED CITIZENS BUT THE SOCIAL AND CULTURAL NEEDS ALSO. INCREASED RESEARCH INTO WHO THE DEPRIVED ARE AND WHAT SUCH DEPRIVATION DOES TO THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE DEPRIVED CHILD IS NEEDED. (WD)