On June 9, 1987, a hearing was held for the purpose of receiving testimony about family preservation programs that aim to keep children out of foster care by strengthening troubled families. Testifying were program providers, a juvenile court judge, and families who have benefited from family preservation services. Testimony focused on the components of a successful family preservation program, populations for whom such programs are appropriate, and the timing and methods of intervention. Also discussed were how these preventive programs differ from other social services, barriers to their implementation or expansion, and their costs as compared to the costs of foster care or residential treatment. Prepared statements, letters, and supplemental materials include: (1) a description of a family preservation service delivery model; (2) a discussion of common goals, philosophies, and techniques of family-based services; (3) issues in building family preservation services as a core component of state child welfare systems; and (4) a statement of context and policy implications, a rationale, and applications for family preservation programs. Programs described were located in Maryland, New Hampshire, Florida, Iowa, California, and Virginia. (RH)