This manual, the first of a three-volume series on counseling older adults, is designed to assist teams of counselor educators, aging network staff, continuing education professionals, and service providers to plan, develop, implement, and institutionalize basic helping skills programs for older adults. The first unit provides background information and a brief overview of the various fields of knowledge and practice that underlie the process of developing continuing education programs in gerontological counseling. The second unit covers the steps in planning, developing, and implementing training programs, and provides a checklist for program planners and a list of related readings. Unit 3 describes useful, action-oriented strategies for meeting the challenges of launching and institutionalizing training programs, including needs assessment, funding, advocacy, and tailoring programs for specific settings such as area agencies on aging, adult day care and long term care facilities, nutrition sites, and hospices. Unit 4 features descriptions of exemplary programs. Unit 5 provides background information useful in understanding events leading to the development of this manual and the training program planning processes described. The appendices provide a directory of regional offices on aging, state agencies on aging, and regional education and training program offices; state mental health program offices; and state departments of education. (JAC)