This learning guide is designed to connect personal, family, and job responsibilities for adults and out-of-school youth in economically depressed areas of the state (including transitional ex-offenders and corrections populations) so that these individuals learn to manage and balance these aspects of their lives in order to prepare for or continue successful employment. This learning guide contains four competency units that provide information on managing home and work responsibilities. The competency units cover the following topics: (1) identifying problems in managing home and work life; (2) discussing values and goals in terms of adjusting expectations, redefining roles, and sharing responsibilities; (3) applying work simplification techniques and time management strategies in the performance of household tasks; and (4) describing techniques for reducing stress. Each competency unit consists of learner outcomes, key ideas, definitions, teaching strategies and methods, and suggested learning activities. Thirty-one supplements include information and activity sheets on the following: work and family conflicts; decision making; problem solving; activities with children; guilt; interpersonal communication; listening skills; values and goals; role-sharing strategies; conflict adjustment; fathering roles; sharing housework; home responsibilities for children of various ages; adjusting standards; organizational skills; time-consciousness; time management; wasting time; and stress management. A bibliography lists 25 references. The Illinois goals for world-class education for the 21st century also are included. (KC)