This manual is designed for individuals, community organizations, and groups that wish to become Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRC). The competition for these grants is issued by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and the Office of Special Education Programs. The handbook provides helpful hints and suggestions for writing a grant proposal. Key sections of the handbook address: (1) the steps to writing a proposal; (2) requirements for being funded as a CPRC; (3) requirements that CPRCs must fulfill to assist parents of children and youth with disabilities; (4) how CPRC grant applications are scored; (5) what should be included in a proposal; (6) constructing an effective proposal; (7) identifying priority requirements; (8) successfully completing the abstract, project significance, project design, goals, objectives, outcomes, methods, quality of project personnel, adequacy of resources, management plan, and the evaluation plan sections of the application; (8) other resources on grant writing; (9) 20 tips on writing an effective proposal; and (10) how to start and operate a nonprofit corporation. Authorizing legislation from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is excerpted and a glossary is included. (CR)