This paper profiles nine model programs for supporting families who care for a child with a severe illness or one or more disabilities and discusses current trends as they emerged from interviews with key persons in the field. Core components examined include self-help, advocacy, parent education, respite care, family-centered case management, and cash assistance. The following programs are described: Family Impact, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Family Support and Resource Center, Dane County, Wisconsin; Give Families a Break, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; The Family Support Project, Butler County, Pennsylvania; Family Support Network of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; Parents Organization Supporting Special Education, Georgetown, Kentucky; Parents Involved Network, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Clinical Case Management, Tampa, Florida; and The State of Alaska--Services for Children and Youth. After a final section considering the future of such programs, contact information is given for all programs described. Three references listed. (PB)