This guide for school district administrators answers question about Even Start, a new, special family-centered compensatory education program funded under Chapter 1 of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981 that combines adult literacy, parent education, and early childhood education. The following issues about program design are addressed: (1) components: parents as teachers, parents as learners, and children as learners; (2) physical setting and operation; (3) center- and home-based programs; (4) collaboration requirements; (5) collaboration techniques; (6) use of existing support services; (7) balancing needs of adults and children; (8) program operation; (9) minimum amount of time that participants should be enrolled; and (10) teaching basic skills to adults. The following issues about eligibility are addressed: (1) primary clientele; (2) client needs; (3) high school graduate participation; (4) current enrollment in an adult education program; (5) criteria for children; (6) targeted children; (7) children of parents who need English as a Second Language or special education services; (8) mandatory exit criteria; and (9) interrelationship of parent and child participation. The following information about selection and evaluation is provided: (1) steps in selection; (2) recruitment; and (3) program evaluation. A list of regional technical assistance centers and a copy of program application evaluation criteria are appended. (FMW)