This guide provides an understanding of the scope and purpose of educational services in Vermont for young children with handicaps and their families. Section titles are as follows, with chapter titles in parentheses: (1) "Overall Program Development" ("Programmatic Philosophy and Policies,""Planning and Coordination,""Service Delivery," and "Program Evaluation"); (2) "Child Find and Identification" ("Community Awareness,""Referral," and "Screening"); (3) "Assessment for Eligibility and Educational Planning" ("Comprehensive Evaluation Process,""Eligibility Determination," and "Comprehensive Re-evaluation"); (4) "Instructional Planning and Implementation" ("Curriculum Planning,""Individualized Education Program,""Related Services,""Method of Instruction,""Monitoring Child Progress," and "Transition Planning"); (5) "Family Involvement"; (6) "Personnel" ("Staff" and "Staff Development"); (7) "Community Relations" ("Interagency Collaboration" and "Community Involvement and Advocacy Group Interaction"); and (8) "Miscellaneous Programmatic Considerations" ("Physical Space,""Transportation," and "Fiscal Management"). A bibliography of over 300 items is also included. Appendices include policy statements, a community resources survey form, a referral form, a screening form, an evaluation plan form, an approved list of assessments, competencies for essential early educators, barriers to interagency collaboration, parent/professional associations and advocacy groups in Vermont, sources for adaptive equipment, information on arranging center-based classroom learning environments, and other information. (JDD)