This guide for community-based organizations (CBOs) touches on some of the many opportunities for worthwhile collaboration between CBOs and the schools. It suggests several strategies CBOs can use to (1) increase the access of disadvantaged youth and adults to vocational programs and (2) coordinate their own employment and training efforts with those of the schools. Chapter 1 discusses structure of vocational education programs and program categories. Funding and administration of state vocational and national programs are the focus of chapter 2. Chapter 3 concerns vocational education and the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA). Meshing CETA activities with those of public education systems is also discussed. The emphasis of chapter 4 is the importance of vocational education in preparing urban youth and adults for work. Chapter 5 discusses community involvement in the schools, including the role of advisory councils, coordination of CBO and neighborhood group employment activities with the schools, and involvement of private businesses. Twelve guidelines for improving communication and coordination with the schools at the national, state, and community levels are then presented. Appendixes include a table of vocational education appropriations for fiscal year 1980, list of state directors of vocational education, and an annotated list of resources. (YLB)