Our research fits in the field of social intervention in institutional environments and takes place in a context affected by the principles of new public management (NPM). It was realized with six managers carrying out the early prevention program known as the Services intégrés en périnatalité et pour la petite enfance (SIPPE) for families living in a vulnerability context. The goal of the research is to analyze the normative reference points that guide the practices of health and social services middle managers who establish, consolidate and evaluate the SIPPE in Quebec on a local level. These managers are confronted to certain contradictory aspects of the program regarding the recognition of young, poor parents in the definition of the problems and goals of the intervention.