In order to help handicapped children function in regular school programs by the time they enter first grade, the First Chance Early Childhood Program provides precise intervention into the development of children aged 3 to 5 with clearly identified handicapping conditions. Using English and/or Spanish, program staff test and measure the referred child's educational and language functioning, as well as social, emotional, behavioral, medical, and intelligence factors. Evaluators employ many tests including the Alpern-Boll Developmental Scale, the Leiter International Performance Scale, and the Del Rio Language Screening Test, an instrument which uses five subtests to screen language skills of English and Spanish speaking children aged 3 to 6.11. Children accepted into the program are assigned to one of four program components in which they: (1) spend full time with the Assisting Individual Development (AID) program; (2) divide their time between AID and a regular program; (3) use AID as a resource to supplement a regular program; or (4) receive AID-directed home training. Test results form the basis for individualized curriculum plans centering around self-help, socialization, motor skills, academic skills, and communication. Language development is heavily stressed. Parental involvement is important to all program aspects. Staff job descriptions, sample forms, and appraisal instructions are included. (SB)