The manual for professionals working with multi-problem families was developed by Project IINTACT which provided home-based services to families with young children who were developmentally delayed or at risk of developmental delay. Three groups of high risk families were served: those in which one or more parents is mentally retarded, those families with serious psychosocial difficulties, and families in which the mother is an unmarried minor. The manual suggests strategies for dealing with the following problems within the family: (1) poor self concept of the mother, (2) gaps in essential parenting knowledge, (3) social isolation, (4) health concerns, (5) poor communication skills, (6) lack of motivation, (7) socioeconomic problems, (8) poor nutrition, (9) family violence, and (10) alcoholism and substance abuse. Problems between the family and home visitor are also discussed and include hostility, distrust, and fear of outsiders; language and cultural differences; and non-compliance (such as missed appointments). Also noted are problems of the home visitor including turf protection against other service providers, fear about visiting families in hazardous urban areas, and professional burn-out. (DB)