In order to provide high quality training to paraprofessionals employed in state-funded Child Day Care Centers, an innovative instructional program was developed based on the need to offer training in convenient commuting locations and to recruit and train unlicensed paraprofessionals from cultural and linguistic backgrounds similar to those of the children they served. Coursework at California State University, San Bernadino, was based on the Child Development Associate National Credentialing Program's curriculum standards, and focused on the first level of training leading to the Emergency Children's Center Instructional Permit. Twenty-two paraprofessionals (16 Hispanic, 6 Anglo) completed all program coursework. The program met state goals and identified and implemented procedures to meet local needs, and day care center observations indicated a need for special education strands within the coursework. Many of the day care centers were located in isolated areas and served migrant, multicultural, poor populations with a potentially high incidence of unserved handicapped children. Evaluation results showed that trainees felt increased self-confidence, had improved observational skills, had a stronger understanding of the rationale for specific group and individual activities with children, and benefited most from courses which applied theory to actual practice. The model demonstrated the importance of incorporating local needs into personnel training. (PM)