This guide is intended to provide parents, administrators and service providers in Iowa with information needed to access and implement early childhood special education (ECSE) programs and services for children with disabilities from birth through age five. Section 1 provides an overview of ECSE in Iowa, including the program rationale, program goals, dimensions of effective ECSE programs, federal and state legislation, and the population served. Section 2 is on ECSE instructional programs and support services. Least restrictive environment considerations for ECSE, ECSE instructional delivery systems, and related services and support services are covered. The third section summarizes the problem solving approach and the identification component of the ECSE service delivery process. Next, administrative issues are addressed, with discussion of early childhood special education personnel, family involvement in early childhood special education, interagency collaboration, and program review. The final section examines legal issues concerned with scheduling, transportation, immunization, child abuse reporting, ECSE funding, contracting with a community-based center to provide services, the Americans with Disabilities Act and its relationship to ECSE programs, and requesting a special education hearing. (Contains 49 references.) (DB)