Institutions have been slow to respond to changes in family life, and service delivery has mostly been limited to responding to crises and to treating problems. Family resource and support programs began emerging in the 1970s to fill parents' expressed need for more support. As part of this trend, the federal Family Preservation and Support Services Program will provide funds for early support services. This guide discusses issues in the design and implementation of family support programs. Chapter 1 describes the principles of family support programs, common supportive practices, and program components; and suggests that, unlike traditional service programs, family support programs emphasize a proactive approach to prevention, and that programs and structures are determined by family needs. Chapter 2 describes the planning of a family support program, which differs from, and is more demanding than, planning for more traditional human services. Elements critical to success at the state level, and steps for planning at the community level are described. Chapter 3 describes past and current funding sources, recommends ways to use funding to change human services delivery systems, and suggests that new funding sources may change the missions of local family support programs. Chapter 4, which comprises the bulk of the guide, contains profiles of 25 family support programs. Each profile gives an overview of the program and discusses the program's history, components, staff, constituent community and participants, goals, evaluation, funding, budget, governance, and replication. (TM)