Alternatives for Paraprofessional Training (APT), a 3-year project, addressed the need for training paraprofessionals working with young handicapped children in rural and urban areas of Texas. Objectives of the project were: to identify competencies needed by paraprofessionals in working with young, handicapped children; to identify the needs of employed paraprofessionals; and to develop and conduct field based inservice training for paraprofessionals from day care settings, Head Start settings, public and private special education classroom settings, and public and private regular classroom settings. The need for training paraprofessionals was delineated in relation to state needs; regional/national needs; and other needs, such as the need to train day care workers and preschool teachers. Multiple teaching strategies such as role play, filmstrips, and simulation were used throughout training. The project design contained the following components: a completed description of competency aeas, work sessions focusing on a single topic area which lasted approximately 3 hours each, field based training, evaluation of training sessions, and dissemination activities. Issues or problems having an impact on the APT project were scheduling, credentialling, motivation, participation, and evaluation. Appended materials include unsolicited letters and comments on training, work session descriptions, a sample certificate of recognition, site report summaries, and examples of evaluation forms. (SW)