The first of two booklets on the TOPS Program (Teaching Outreach Prevention School), a school/mental health cooperative project, describes the operation of group work for elementary aged children with emotional and behavioral problems. Goals are said to include increasing the students' feelings of acceptance, caring, and support as well as modeling appropriate social behavior as a group member. Group operation is outlined, along with limit setting procedures and techniques (such as puppets and relaxation) that have proven successful. Desirable therapist qualities are listed, such as the ability to be comfortable with conflicts and to remain marginal to the group but available for help. TOPS is explained to use a structured behavioral management system in which children are helped to internalize controls. (CL)