This handbook provides guidelines for implementing an early intervention model, the Parent Infant Nurturing Group (PING), for infants with or at risk for developmental disabilities born to high-risk parents (special needs or with mental retardation). The handbook is a product of Project CAPABLE (Communities Assisting Parents To Be ABLE), a statewide project in Ohio which has provided inservice training, ongoing technical assistance, and replication services to over 800 service providers. The handbook is organized into five chapters. Chapter 1 focuses on the underlying intervention philosophy, the basic goals and objectives of early intervention with families where parents have special needs/mental retardation, and a description of the PING program. Chapter 2 presents a checklist for initial identification and further information about parents with special needs/mental retardation. Chapter 3 presents strategies and approaches to starting and successfully maintaining an early intervention program for this population. Chapter 4 describes an evaluation approach which examines changes effected by the program and the Individualized Family Service Plan in families in which parents have special needs/mental retardation. Chapter 5 offers an annotated listing of audiovisual materials, manuals, curricula, programs, and a bibliography organized into relevant material for each of the four chapters. (Contains 74 references.) (DB)