This manual provides assistance for Head Start managers and caregivers in providing support for substance-abusing families. The manual builds on the Head Start Substance Abuse Circle of Capacities continuum, which addresses areas of: (1) staff preparation and support; (2) prevention and family wellness; (3) early intervention, referral, and support; and (4) community collaboration and partnerships. The chapters in the manual are: (1) "Introduction: Substance Abuse among Families," including an overview of the problem and suggestions for identifying alcohol and other substance abuse, and special services; (2) "Substance-Abusing Parents: Characteristics of Parents Involved with Addiction," a discussion of the nature of parental addiction and how it affects the ability to parent; (3) "Children of Substance-Abusing Parents: Special Risks," including newborn and infant complications and developmental issues; (4) "Comprehensive Family Assessment," focusing on information gathering, home visits, and observations; (5) "Areas of Assessment," including determining attitudes and feelings, along with assessment of the infant and child, parents, home environment, relative caregivers, and foster parents; and (6) "Working with Children in a Preschool Setting," which discusses classroom organization and the role of Head Start staff in working with children from substance-abusing families. (BGC)