This handbook is designed to assist employment and training agency staff in developing, adopting, and implementing an effective intake program for employment and training programs. An introductory section explains the purposes of the handbook and presents an overview of the intake process. In the next section, the action planning guidelines are outlined and then detailed. Five essential tasks (and 27 specific activities/subtasks) are identified: (1) determine type of intake process to be implemented in agency, (2) organize outreach/recruitment system, (2) establish procedures for interviewing applicants and determining program eligibility, (4) establish procedures and programs for orienting clients to program and world of work, and (5) evaluate effectiveness of intake process and necessary modifications. Action planning worksheets are provided for each task. Appendixes include sample outreach questions, sample application forms and intake system skills inventory, and a Comprehensive Employment and Training Act Participant Selection System for Titles I and II. A list of references is provided. (YLB)