Applicable to any school district or school interested in starting a family resource and support program, this guide provides help for both planning and implementation of family resource and youth services centers. It outlines the philosophy behind family resource and youth services centers and how that philosophy is to be reflected in all aspects of the program. The guide is not intended to prescribe any particular program model or the unique methods of planning, designing, financing, or evaluation of each center. Rather, planners are expected to be creative and innovative, using the ideas contained in the guide as springboards for their own thinking. Program flexibility at the local level and an emphasis on encouraging new ideas that emerge from the people participating in the centers are the hallmarks of the family support movement throughout the country. Following an introduction, the philosophy of family resource and youth services centers is discussed. A section on center planning outlines the following eight steps: (1) establishing an advisory council; (2) completing a needs/resources assessment; (3) determining rationale, missions, goals, and objectives; (4) designing a program; (5) assuring successful operations; (6) clarifying the oversight process; (7) thinking about the budget; and (8) planning for appropriate evaluation. Four appendices contain a statement of the premises, principles, and practices of family resource programs; a statement of program goals; an annotated bibliography of 33 items; and a sample workplan. (TJQ)