A project is being conducted to provide vocational training for severely emotionally disturbed students in the Salem, Oregon, School District. Most of the youths have previously been institutionalized, and many are retarded and have other handicaps such as learning disabilities, epilepsy, and speech and language disorders. All students qualify for special education services and attend a high school program serving students who are emotionally disturbed. Students are placed into job sites by a vocational trainer, taking into account student preferences, geographic accessibility, and student behavior. Students are first placed in nonpaid positions, then moved into paid positions when they have completed two nonpaid training positions and are within two years of graduation. Although most students learn to do work tasks quickly, training focuses on the acquisition of associated work skills necessary to maintain the work placement. Trainers work with the students during the initial phases of training/placement, then gradually withdraw until students can work independently. Many of the 15 placements have been successful, although 8 students were fired for inappropriate behavior. The program has been functioning for five years and has demonstrated that students with serious emotional disturbances can be prepared for competitive employment in community work experience placements. (KC)