This paper draws on the experience of various states in its discussion of questions, issues, and decisions that policymakers face as they plan their states' family support initiatives. The discussion is organized into three parts that correspond roughly with the stages of policy formation, program development, and program implementation and growth. When formulating policy, policy entrepreneurs must crystallize interest in their program, insert the initiative into the policy agenda of the state, and anticipate opposition. Program development involves: (1) determination of the scale of the initiative; (2) determination of the balance between standardization and flexibility; (3) specification of the program's services; (4) specification of the providers and recipients of the services; (5) coordination of the program with other local programs; (6) specification of the program staff and community involvement; and (7) provision for mechanisms for evaluation. Program implementation is aided when the state staff tries to model the kinds of partnership and empowering relationships with local programs that they hope the local programs will establish with families. The momentum of development must be maintained and balanced with the problems of rapid growth. Several other issues important to policymakers, such as family privacy, are discussed. A list of 18 references is provided. (BC)