This conference paper discusses the results of a study that investigated the effectiveness of the Total Family Strategy (TFS), a home-based family support program funded by the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, Florida. The program was initiated as a means of introducing a family empowerment model of early intervention into the array of existing services for children and families. The target population was young families with children under the age of 12 who are at risk of developing serious problems and who have not already utilized significant social service resources. Four agencies in the community provide this service. Program components include case management, access to community resources, advocacy, and counseling. The evaluation study included data from agency directors and 93 families and intensive case studies with eight TFS families. Results indicated: (1) agency directors had different ideas about the purpose of the program, its target population, and indicators of the program effectiveness; (2) many families being served had already experienced significant systems involvement; and (3) agencies appeared to interpret program guidelines differently, leading to differences in program implementation. (CR)