This seven section guide, written for state and local career education coordinators, dissemination specialists, and representatives of labor, business, industry, and government, describes the Northwest Connection (NWC), a demonstration, regional, career education, peer assistance model. Section 1 presents an overview of the NWC, describing the joint efforts of the state departments of education in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, and of the Northwest Regional Education Laboratory to establish the regional consulting service. Service process, consultants, delivery model, and results are described. Section 2 focuses on the selection process for the consultants, including benefits and expectations, selection criteria, and areas of specialization. Section 3 describes how the service was promoted, focusing on uses, information selection, activities, and responsibilities. Training of the consultants is covered in secton 4, while setion 5 explores what made the system work; consultants' pay, benefits, recordkeeping, and communications are described. Section 6 reflects on considerations in establishing peer assistance programs, and section 7 presents a brief review of the literature on peer interaction. NWC forms are appended, including the evaluation postcard, consultants' log and planning forms, and an expense account form. (BL)