A mutual support model was developed to prepare teachers to meet the needs of mainstreamed handicapped children at the University of Akron (OH). In 1975 the university was among the first to receive funding from the Bureau of Education for the Handicapped. Among the first tasks that year was the challenge of changing the attitudes of faculty who saw mainstreaming as "just one of those fads". Speakers were brought in and workshops held to increase awareness among the faculty that the project would indeed impact on all facets of teacher education. The project was developed on three levels, the project level, the field site school, and around each public school student. By developing the project across all levels and involving project staff, university faculty, the university teacher trainee and field site staff in the model, a much more complete support system was developed. Among results of the project were that over 90% of the college of education faculty understood, appreciated, and were supportative of the needs of handicapped children; and at least 50% of the faculty have been actively involved in the development of the model or extended project activities. (Author/PHR)