A component analysis employing meta-analytic techniques was used to synthesize the results of published evaluations of home visiting programs for pregnant women and families with children birth to age 3. Characteristics of program content and service delivery were used to predict effect sizes on measures of key outcomes such as child and parent functioning, health, and well-being. The results have implications for the selection and strengthening of existing home visiting programs that are already labeled efficacious or effective, as well as in the development of innovative home visiting programs. Specifically, home visiting programs are likely to become more potent by adding components associated with larger effects and by changing or omitting components associated with smaller or effects. A component-oriented approach to program improvement requires fewer resources, less time for staff retraining, and overcomes other obstacles to adopting an entirely new program (Barth et al., 2005). (author abstract)