The Head Start home-based supervisor provides guidance, support, direction, and continuing staff development opportunities while attempting to maintain and improve quality of services to Head Start children and families. This guide is designed to help the home-based supervisor in carrying out responsibilities while supporting the home visitor, who is key to the implementation of the home-based option. The sections of the guide are: (1) "The Head Start Home-Based Option," including a discussion of the definition of home-based services, the importance of supervision, and highlights of research and evaluation; (2) "Functions and Roles of the Home-Based Supervisor," which discusses the supervisor's leadership responsibilities, including those over home visitors; (3) "Training," covering assessment of training needs, pre-service training, in-service training, and policy group and volunteer training; and (4) "Effective Supervision Strategies," including coverage of management issues, supervision and leadership styles, and communication strategies. Appendices include sample job descriptions, an observation guide, a sample family needs assessment, and other forms. Contains 24 references. (BGC)