These findings and implications are part of the final report on the National Home Start Evaluation. Home Start, a federally-funded 3-year (1972-1975) home-based demonstration program for low-income families with 3- to 5-year-old children was designed to enhance a mother's skills in dealing with her own children and to provide comprehensive social-emotional, health and nutritional services. The purpose of the evaluations was to collect information on both the Home Start process and the program's effectiveness so that the Home Start experience could lead to recommendations for future home-based programs. The evaluation describes the program, assesses its effects at various time points and compares the effects after one and two years of program participation. In addition, it compares the effects and costs of Home Start and Head Start programs. Included in the document are program evaluation and overview, findings in terms of impact on families and children, cost effectiveness, program and implications and conclusions. Appendices include: a Home Start program overview, evaluation design and methodology, and index to Home Start evaluation reports. [Author/MS)