A Cuyahoga County (Ohio) project developed a multiagency, comprehensive basic skills improvement system designed to increase the employability of people receiving public assistance, out-of-school youth, and Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) clients. An advisory committee composed of individuals representing the collaborative groups was established to guide the activities and ensure all collaborators were informed and involved. At least 400 intake workers and employment counselors participated in a 90-minute training session. Although an initial objective was to upgrade the county JTPA testing system so that test results in reading and math would be more meaningful with regard to client placement, it became clear that it would be practical to have as many agencies as possible using a common testing tool. Recommendations were to find an acceptable, not perfect test; decide upon "passing levels"; develop a referral process; and develop a client tracking process. Recommendations with respect to referral were the importance of orientation, communication, and linkage with all agencies. Classroom training programs at the fourth- to eighth-grade levels in writing and mathematics were found to be more effective when students were subdivided into separate and distinct classes by levels of ability. Other recommendations for training were use of computer-assisted instruction and nontraditional teaching methods. (YLB)