Project ESPIRIT (Educational System in Parenting for the Retarded with Infants and Toddlers) has provided home based services to 25 at risk children of mentaly retarded parents. Assessments performed at home are followed by development of individualized educational programs for both child and parent. Suggestions are given for establishing such a program to serve mentally retarded parents. Addressed are issues in child eligibility, staff recruitment and qualifications (such as 3 years' experience working with mentally retarded adults, experience with infants, and an ability to refrain from judging another's lifestyle based on middle class values), coordinaton of support services, and development of products. (CL)