A conference held in 1987 at Dartmouth explored the design and implementation of a comprehensive, coordinated community-wide approach to promoting the health of families and children. This publication provides: (1) conference presentations; (2) reports of delegations from Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire; (3) participants' discussion of issues; and (4) related materials. Presentations concerned: (1) a rationale for a community-wide approach to promote the health and development of families and children; (2) a community-based approach to preventing heart disease; (3) a way of empowering at-risk families through community-based family support programs; (4) social marketing; (5) community-wide approaches to preventing preterm birth; (6) community-wide approaches to promoting the health and development of families with children; and (7) a school system-based approach to promoting healthy families and children. A summary of the information presented at the conference attempts to answer questions concerning the need for a community-wide approach, basic design elements, implementation of programs, program evaluation, and progress at the state level in the reporting states. Also included are a summary of program status indicators, a framework for promoting healthy families and children, a risk factor checklist, and summaries of individual and environmental factors affecting health. (RH)