Shared family care has been defined as the planned provision of out-of-home care to parents and their children so that the parents, supported by the host caregiver, cares for the child and works toward independent in-house care; this approach is an alternative to the trauma of separation and lack of continuity inherent to foster care placement. This manual details guidelines prepared for use by state and local public organizations and private community-based agencies that wish to incorporate shared family care into their standard continuum of services available for high-risk families. The manual was designed to educate interested groups in the potential uses of shared family care as a service option, and to identify the steps and information needed to initiate development and implementation of this service. The manual, comprising seven major components, allows for customization to specific situations. The components are: (1) an overview of shared family care; (2) guiding principles and anticipated benefits; (3) program elements; (4) host families; (5) licensing and liability issues; (6) financial considerations; and (7) program planning and evaluation. Materials in the manual's appendices include: sample forms and program materials; discussion points for legislators and administrators with estimated program cost comparisons; and a list of possible evaluation and assessment instruments. (LBT)