This document is designed to help literacy practitioners and others promote and establish family literacy programs to prepare adult learners in South Carolina for their roles as parents, workers, health consumers, and citizens. The rationale for promoting family literacy is explained. The following topics are discussed: a design for family literacy programs; ways leaders might modify the original program design; and results of effective family literacy programs for parents, children, and families. A section on how to get started lists 18 planning steps for starting family literacy programs, details 10 principles of effective family literacy development practice, and offers advice from the field. The following are among the aspects of program development and delivery that are covered: collaborative planning; active, ongoing recruitment; support services to overcome physical and emotional barriers to access; important staff credentials and personal characteristics; collaboration; retention; staff training; meaningful curriculum; funding; and ongoing evaluation. A section on ways of measuring success lists 28 possible outcomes of family literacy programs. A section on resources presents an annotated list of 17 programs and curricula. Explanations of the National Adult Literacy Survey levels of literacy and 12 guidelines for using effective adult education principles are appended. (Contains 12 tables and 26 endnotes.) (MN)