A discussion of family and intergenerational programs promoting literacy reviews selected research, current policies, goals, models for program design, and curriculum approaches. Research informing both family and intergenerational literacy programs includes early research on literacy in school-age children and more recently, studies of literacy practices within social and political contexts. Legislative and policy initiatives and privately-sponsored programs have influenced and continue to affect family literacy work. Goals of family and intergenerational programs vary, including: improving school achievement; improving skills, attitudes, values, and behaviors surrounding reading; developing advocacy for schooling; and re-connecting generations in positive ways. Several basic program models are in use, each designed to address the characteristics of participants. Both heterogeneous and homogeneous groupings are used. Curricula and materials used are influenced largely by program goals. Promising trends in family and intergenerational literacy include collaboration between parents and schools to promote more effective programs, efforts to strengthen families and communities, planning and instruction beginning with inquiry into learners' lives, targeting of learner-defined needs, encouragement of intergenerational sharing of knowledge; and fostering of learning among communities among both learners and practitioners. (Contains 34 references.) (MSE) (Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse on Literacy Education)