The evaluations of substance abuse prevention programs have been criticized for being incomplete, for lacking a comprehensive approach, and for lacking a process evaluation component. Context factors have been found to have distinctive patterns among alcohol and other drug abusers. Among the variables of interest, family cohesion, family expressiveness, and family conflict have been found to have important relationships in alcohol and other drug abusers. Pasos Adelante (Steps Forward) is an early intervention demonstration project for 3- to 5-year-old children and their parents. The program consists of a 12-week cycle for children and parents which meets 2 mornings per week for 3.5 hours plus one home visit per week. The design of Pasos Adelante attempts to improve on previous evaluation limitations by incorporating an ethnographic component into the evaluation design. The goal of this type of research is to identify the attitudes and values, patterns of behavior, and categories of thought that are characteristic of a particular culture. Through participant observation in the early childhood classrooms and parent meetings, two ethnographic assistants will identify key features and processes in program implementation. It is expected that Pasos Adelante will continue for 5 years to serve parents and children. By the incorporation of quantitative and qualitative methodologies, it is expected that the evaluation of the program will yield valuable information about: (1) the family context of parent and child in the family where there is alcohol abuse; (2) the process of the program; and (3) the outcomes of the program. (ABL)