Intended to help community leaders and parent groups, as well as providers of social, educational, and health services, the Builder is organized according to three sections. The first section introduces family resource programs, highlights recent changes in family structures and the American culture that have contributed to the emergence of family resource programs, discusses the basic characteristics programs have in common and principles on which they are based, and describes program models and existing programs. The second section contains practical advice on how to start a family resource program. The focus is on program planning and on administrative and fiscal program issues. The third section identifies additional resources that may be useful to program planners. The content of this section includes suggested readings, a bibliography, technical assistance materials (program development manuals and guidebooks), information on operating parent support groups, a parent education curriculum, and research findings on family resource programs.