Families cope with economic and social changes by (consciously or unconsciously) choosing behaviors that make up an overall economic "survival strategy." Hypothesized elements of the household survival strategy are formal and informal work, use of household resources, and use of community services. Government policies on rural and community economic development have largely overlooked family decision making. To inform policy, a telephone survey of 1,611 families in 52 nonmetropolitan Wisconsin counties examined household characteristics as predictors of use of community services and assistance. Household characteristics included nature of household (structure, size, presence of children, income, shared housing); employment variables; educational attainment and continuing education; economic options if unemployed; and other socioeconomic characteristics. Services and assistance included public health services; child care; community assistance with costs; welfare and other supplemental income; and housing assistance. The results indicate that households do a remarkable job of piecing together community services as part of their survival strategy, and that some community services play a critical role for younger, less economically secure households. Analysis suggests that the tendency to treat community development, social development, and economic development as separate policy spheres increases the risk of adverse or unintended consequences. Contains 48 references and 11 data tables and figures. (SV)