This paper describes the North Dakota Statewide Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities Facility Staff Training Program. For the past 10 years, the training program, in association with Minot State University, has been available to agencies and their employees who provide services to individuals with developmental disabilities in rural areas. Full-time direct service staff are required to demonstrate knowledge and skills in topic areas addressed in 14 training modules. These skills are taught at provider sites by certified regional trainers. In addition to entry level certification, the program offers advanced certification, an associate of arts degree in developmental disabilities, a bachelor of science degree in mental retardation (nonteaching), and a master of science degree in special education. In October 1992, the North Dakota Center for Disabilities (NDCD) expanded the program to address the increasing demand for paraeducators, particularly in rural areas. In the project's first year, four pilot sites were selected and curriculum development was initiated. The second year saw an additional 14 special education units brought into the program, with the remaining 13 units joining in the third year. Areas of training were developed according to the surveyed needs of program participants and consist of initial and advanced levels of certification. Training modules can be presented through large group instruction, small group format, on-the-job demonstrations, or self-instruction. Participant competencies are evaluated through pretests/posttests that accompany each training module. As federal funding ends, the NDCD has been actively seeking ways to preserve the program. (LP)