Designed as a starting point for anyone interested in home-based programs, this packet provides resources and basic information for program development and describes in particular the Child Development Associate (CDA) Program, a national effort embodying a new concept of training, assessing, and credentialing child care staff. Brief background information about home-based programs and their relationship to CDA and CDA credentials is provided in section one. Section two provides training basics for home-based programs, including discussion of the key elements underlying success, planning and organizing home visit activities, choosing the right person for a home visitor position, qualities of the home visitor, and home visitor observation and assessment. A list of seven home start training centers is given in section three, along with a list of publications available from each. Section four presents an annotated bibliography of publications relating to home-based programs, including descriptions of programs for handicapped children, children ages 3 through 5, bilingual students, infants and toddlers, and combination groups; resources on working with adults; curriculum materials; and information on using the ERIC system. (MP)