The document is designed to assist local school systems as they plan, develop, and improve programs for emotionally handicapped students. Sections cover the following areas: definition of emotionally handicapped students; pre-planninq for emotionally handicapped programs; identification, referral, screening, assessment, and placement; service delivery models; program development (including the re-education model, the engineered classroom model, the development therapy model, individual educational program, and affective curriculum); behavior management techniques (with suggestions for attitudes and skills of the adult, techniques for managing surface behaviors, techniques for handling temper tantrums, life space interviewing, and time out procedures); supportive and liason services for the student and for the professional staff; parent involvement; and teacher competencies. Appendixes include an annotated bibliography of books on emotional handicaps, a list of curriculum materials, figures showing classroom arranqements, a sample individual eucation program, and a list of North Carolina residential and hospital programs. (SBH)