This manual, to be used in child development centers, presents guidelines for working with families of handicapped children. Reasons for initiating a family program are given to include fostering coordination of the child's training and keeping the program relevant to needs of families within the community. First contacts with parents are said to be improved with communication techniques that involve the positive view, an attitude of giving, perception of parents' feelings, recognition of each child's differences and parents' expectations, and ability to interpret the program. The guide suggests the kinds of information the School might use to build family profiles. Guidelines are given for the following parent involvement strategies: family members as volunteers, the newsletter, observation of school activities, home followup reports to parents, sharing the learning accomplishment profile with parents, informal verbal feedback, individual conferences, individual home programs, materials-making workshops, group meetings, ideas for brothers and sisters, and information and referral services. A list of resource materials includes books, periodicals, films, and pamphlets (source and price are given). Appendixes contain materials such as forms for parents, definitions for program planning, sample newsletter articles, sample home followup sheets, and interviewing techniques. (MC)