Project Head Start has recently expanded into elementary schools through the National Head Start/Public School Transition Project (NTP), a school-based intervention program designed to improve outcomes for at-risk students. The SDTP (South Dakota site of NTP) is attempting to improve life chances for children by improving home and school environments. An SDTP ethnographic study was designed to provide the descriptive data needed to enrich quantitative analysis in the overall NTP evaluation (which is testing the hypothesis that providing continuous comprehensive services to Head Start children will maintain and enhance early benefits attained by children and families). A literature review was conducted on areas of: (1) comprehensive services; (2) social services; (3) education, including parent education and social networks; (4) health; (5) parent involvement; and (6) home/school coordinators. Data were gathered through participant observations, interviews, and analysis of family services coordinator (FSC) journals. Tentative results, analyzed in terms of the changing and increasing role of FSCs, included: (1) effect of milk break; (2) effect of hands-on food activity; (3) effect of SDTP on children's health; (4) effect of SDTP on curriculum; (5) children's transition activities; (6) parent involvement; and (7) improved home/school communication. The study concluded that children and families at SDTP sites have benefited from successful transition project implementation. Contains 51 references. (BGC)