Historically there has been a huge gulf between families and residential programs serving their children. This contradicted classic studies showing that family involvement is the cornerstone for successful outcomes with children in out-of-home care. But in spite of frequent early calls for such inclusion, the family was historically considered to be the "enemy." Parents were considered to be both the cause of the young person's difficulties and the saboteurs of the work of the residential staff. How the times have changed. There is now a cultural demand for the inclusion of, and engagement with, the families of young people in out-of-home placements. For whatever reason (financial, philosophical), there is pressure on residential programs to involve, and become involved with, families. While some might experience this pressure as negative, it is a very positive force that is transforming residential care. This new focus often translates into easier access to funding for necessary training or staffing. As residential care staff become more family-focused, they are in tune with the broader professional community. In this article, the author suggests six key principles that are transforming residential care staff's thinking about families.