This book highlights existing successful partnerships between local educational agencies (LEAs) and community-based organizations (CBOs), identifying barriers to such partnerships and providing strategies for partnerships that prepare youths and adults for tomorrow's work force. In addition, the book provides ideas for school administrators about using CBOs to increase services to their younger students, adult students, and parents. The book is organized in five chapters. The first chapter looks at both the problems and the opportunities that schools currently face. It includes the following: an overview of current problems and solutions; the origin of the term "CBO," a review of federal and state initiatives for LEA/CBO partnerships; and an examination of the barriers and benefits of collaboration. The second chapter, presented in a directory format, provides information on successful LEA/CBO partnerships throughout California. The focus is on single-parent projects, funded with Perkins Act money. The descriptions give a general picture of each program, along with examples of collaborative partnerships; each description includes the following: LEA address, telephone number, and contact persons; description of collaborative efforts; CBO address, telephone number, and contact person; and list of services. Chapter 3 focuses on four specially funded programs that have grown in response to state and federal encouragement of LEA/CBO collaborations. The first three programs, funded by the Gender Equity Office of the California Department of Education, are based on a specific program model that can be replicated. The fourth program reflects local innovations in developing programs addressing specific needs. The fourth chapter summarizes essential steps taken by LEAs and CBOs that have been successful in establishing healthy mutual beneficial partnerships, and includes examples of contracts. The final chapter provides program descriptions of 22 selected state, national, and international CBOs, including information about their purpose, structure, accomplishments, and activities. A list of acronyms and an index complete the guide. (KC)