Each issue of Infants and Young Children (IYC) provides evidence that continuing advances are taking place in theory and practice in the field of early intervention. Innovative treatment approaches, new models for forming partnerships with families, and descriptions of amazingly creative projects are all examples that provide a sense of inexorable progress in our field. From time to time, however, articles appear that starkly highlight the distance yet to be traveled to ensure that early interventions truly benefit vulnerable young children and their families. Our ability to improve children's motor development has clearly been problematic, but as IYC points out in a review of relevant research, the limits of contemporary approaches are far greater than previously thought. Similarly sobering ideas are expressed by a parent in this issue of IYC who describes her struggles to make sense of the many conflicting opinions about the "best" strategies in early intervention. This article, in particular, makes it most apparent that it is our responsibility as professionals to help reduce the burden on families as they sift through the many intervention options. We must find better ways to offer as coherent and systematic an array of programs as possible. Although this parent's experiences may be somewhat unique, and redundancies and conflicting information may be inevitable in our field, it is certain that we can and must do a far better job of meeting families needs.

Other articles in this issue also highlight the complex tasks facing our field. The importance of being able to identify and diagnose, and then intervene for children who, early on, exhibit problems in self-regulation is just becoming fully recognized and is discussed in this issue. Moreover, it is a constant battle to integrate various agencies and programs to provide a well-coordinated and integrated system of services and supports. Two articles in this issue of IYC provide outstanding examples of how communities can respond to the needs of children vulnerable due to poverty and related risk factors and for those experiencing a wide range of developmental healthcare problems.

Finally, IYC addresses issues relevant to the importance of cultural influences and values on early intervention. This is clearly pointed out in one article in the context of decisions being made with respect to the use of assistive technologies. In another article, the adaptations of early intervention principles to communities in Ethiopia further highlight the salient role of culture when seeking to provide family centered interventions.