As states and local communities begin the process of implementing Public Law 99--457, a fundamental shift in the roles of early childhood interventionists will become evident. Requirements regarding a family focus, as indicated by the need for an Individualized Family Service Plan, have led to changes in how and why professionals communicate with families. The purposes of this article are to (1) provide a rationale for developing communication and interviewing skills, (2) present information on training in family interviewing and communication skills, (3) describe the perspectives of interventionists who have attended a workshop on, and have tried using, a family-focused interview, and (4) suggest strategies that encourage interventionists to take an active role in the further development of their interviewing skills within the context of their workplaces.
