The book examines the implications of P.L. 99-457, the 1986 amendments to the Education of the Handicapped Act, which mandates serving handicapped infants and toddlers. In chapter 1, the legislative history of P.L. 99-457 is reviewed along with associated funding issues. Chapter 2 focuses on the newest program, serving the birth to 2-year-old population, and considers program design and development strategies. In chapter 3, the challenges of serving handicapped preschoolers are discussed, and integration options such as Head Start are described. Personnel preparation issues are addressed in chapter 4, which portrays the ways in which four states have dealt with staff shortages. Chapters 5 and 6 focus on the family, specifically on child care and on the increasingly powerful role of parents in early intervention and preschool efforts. Case studies conclude each chapter and examples of innovative programs across the country are cited throughout. Six appendixes include the text of P.L. 99-457 and information on minimum age mandates.(CL)