The manual--one-third of which consists of appendixes--describes strategies which are used to involve parents and parent surrogates in the St. Paul Public Schools' Model Program for Handicapped Out-of-School Youth (OSY). OSY offers three primary components that facilitate positive involvement of parents in planning: the team approach, individualized educational planning, and a reality based curriculum. Characteristics of students and their families are examined, focusing on single parent homes, two parent homes, independent living, and other living arrangements. The OSY team is discussed, including the community liaison worker, the facilitator, the classroom teacher, the work experience coordinator, the social worker, and the youth advocate. Also discussed are early education parent involvement and other student/family involvement. The critical points at which contact with parents is sought are listed (including recruitment, assessment, individual educational planning, individualized education program review, and support services); and the techniques used to encourage their involvement are described. Various charts and forms are appended. (DLS)