This report describes the first year evaluation of the implementation and effects of the Project SELF HELP, a family literacy program located in two urban elementary schools and run by a community organization. The program was available to 15 adults from each site who had lower than a fifth grade reading level and whose children were experiencing academic difficulty in school. Parents were given counseling and instruction in parenting skills, life skills, and other basic skills. Each parent regularly participated in school activities. Older children participated in an after-school tutorial program, while younger children received day care services. Opportunities for joint adult-child interactions were regularly provided. Preliminary findings indicated that elementary students benefitted from summer reading activities. According to results from two measures, parents' literacy improved. Parents also had high scores on the home environment index. Teachers rated students as significantly improved in social behavior, attention, and control of disruptive behaviors. These findings should be interpreted cautiously because of the limited sample size and the fact that this was the first year of the program. Implications for future studies are discussed, and four references are appended. (GLR)