The findings of three surveys (Conference Planning Survey, Demographic Survey and Rural Project Survey) designed to assess the state of the art of rural programs for young handicapped children reveal that the most critical issues faced by rural service providers are transportation, recruiting staff for rural areas, and securing funding for rural programs. The most critical issues faced by families are transporting children to services, obtaining appropriate services, knowing about available services, paying for services, and being isolated from services and other parents. The most effective strategies for delivering services/programs to children and their families in rural areas are: using a home-based approach; training parents as the primary therapist; establishing an interagency communication, coordination and referral system; establishing easy communication, maintaining consistent contact, and providing follow-through with families; and providing both classroom and home-based options. Data from the Demographic Survey provide numerical descriptions of 41 projects (31 publicly funded, 10 privately funded) which serve approximately 2,600 children, ranging in age from birth to 11 years. A copy of the Rural Project Survey instrument and the project names and addresses of the Demographic and Rural Project Survey respondents are appended. (NEC)