This initial issue describes the development, organization, staff, and facilities of the EPIC (Evaluative Programs for Innovative Curriculums) Evaluation Center, a cooperative effort of the U.S. Office of Education (under Title III of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act), the University of Arizona (College of Education), and the public and nonpublic schools of Arizona. Introductory sections trace the historical background and philosophy of the Center, which began in 1967 to provide educational agencies with technical assistance, facilities, and inservice training programs necessary for them to assess their current and innovative instructional programs. The major section describes the organization of the Center (under a director responsible to a board of directors) and the responsibilities of each of the two divisions: the Field Services Division, which established and maintains contact with school districts requesting Center services, and the Evaluation Services Division, which (1) provides technical assistance for the selection of treatments, measurement instruments, evaluation designs and statistical analyses; (2) processes data; and (3) reports the results of the evaluation process. Job responsibilities are outlined for the division coordinators and the 11 members of their professional staffs. The Center's data processing equipment and inservice training programs are also described. (This document is related to SP 002 101, RIE August 1969.) (JS)