This implementation plan for educational programs for young handicapped children was developed in response to the request of the North Carolina General Assembly and involved a survey of the state's 100 counties (of which 75 responded). Information is presented for the following areas: philosophy of serving young children with handicapping conditions; program goals (e.g., provision of a statewide, comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary, interagency program of early intervention services for 3-year-old and 4-year-old handicapped children and their families); national and North Carolina studies supporting the efficacy of early intervention; the history of services in the state; provisions of Public Law 99-457 concerning the Preschool Grant Program for children ages 3 through 5; the projected population of handicapped children, ages 3 and 4; projected personnel needs including both teacher and related service needs and both preservice and inservice training needs; interagency services (specific programs are listed and described in tabular form); types of service delivery systems implemented by local education agencies; rules and regulations; proposed state funding; federal funds available to local education agencies; and budget justification for funding. Attachments include tables showing: sample cost factors for different program types; estimated costs per student; and projected federal funding losses for failing to establish a preschool mandate. A chart showing special education mandated ages by state is also provided. (DB)