The paper briefly describes Public Law 99-457 (The Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments, 1986) with emphasis on implications for families, service providers, and early childhood educators. Among the law's components are the following: all the rights and protections of Public Law 94-142 (Education for All Handicapped Children Act) are extended to preschoolers (ages 3-5) by the school year 1990-1991; state reporting requirements allow a general category of developmental delay instead of specific disability categories; a new state grant program for handicapped/at-risk infants and toddlers is established; required for each child is a multi-disciplinary team assessment and a written Individualized Family Service Plan. Specific intervention services may include special education, speech and language therapy, audiology, occupational/physical therapy, psychological services, and diagnostic medical services. Case management services are required. The law stresses the importance of the family in all intervention efforts; the importance of matching services and intervention models to the unique needs of each child and family; and the importance of interagency agreements, participation, and cooperation. (DB)