The Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act authorizes the use of community-based organizations of proven effectiveness, such as Opportunities Industrialization Centers of America (OIC), to be involved in improving the overall vocational education delivery system. State assistance for vocational education support by community-based organizations is one of five special programs authorized by Title III of the Act. The Act encourages eligible recipients who are operating vocational education programs to develop relationships with community-based organizations. The Act requires each community-based organization that wants assistance under Title III to submit jointly with the appropriate eligible recipient a specified application to the state board. States will provide financial assistance to joint projects of community-based organizations within the state that provide the following special vocational education services and activities: outreach programs, prevocational educational preparation and basic skills development, special prevocational programs targeted to disadvantaged youth, career intern programs, student needs assessment, and guidance and counseling. Because of financial constraints and a shift in educational emphasis arising from the "A Nation at Risk" report, community-based organizations such as OIC will probably have more opportunity to be involved in vocational education in the future. (KC)