This training guide is intended to help Head Start staff develop the essential partnership-building skills that contribute to Head Start's overall effectiveness as a supportive, family-centered community. Each of the guide's three modules details module outcomes, key concepts, and background information. Module 1 defines family support in terms of principles and practices, and provides activities to clarify the ways staff and the agency can move forward in showing families that they are part of a caring Head Start community. Building blocks for developing a community of family support are discussed, practiced, and assessed by staff. Module 2 addresses essential skills for working with families by giving staff the opportunity to examine and practice two essential skills for building partnerships with families: (1) partnership talk; and (2) joining with a family. This module also encourages skill development in addressing challenging behaviors that may surface in individuals during staff-family meetings, and situations which may impede the partnership-building process. Module 3 addresses mobilizing family strengths. The guide's section on continuing professional development provides activities for expanding and reinforcing staff skills in family support. Contains 12 resources, including books, journals, newsletters, information systems, organizations, and audiovisual materials. (SD)