This is the first publication in a series of three reports that summarize the results of Ohio's Javits Project, a 3-year federally sponsored program to improve the identification of and services to young economically disadvantaged gifted children in 25 Ohio schools. The report focuses on the project's first year's activities. It describes the advisory committee formation, purpose, functions, and membership, which includes parents, teachers, university personnel, professional association leaders, state department personnel, and community groups. The site selection process is reviewed. Building teams, consisting of the principal, gifted coordinator, gifted teacher and two regular classroom teachers, and a parent, are described, as are the community awareness meetings held at each school. The needs assessment process, involving structured interviews with 42 parents, 25 principals, 21 teachers, and 28 community leaders, is reviewed. Among best practices suggested for similar projects are the importance of being inclusive in creating advisory committees and building teams and allowing for flexibility in project design. Appendices includes an Ohio Javits Grant abstract, a list of participating buildings and sites, a list of advisory committee members and Javits project staff, and an executive summary of the needs assessment. (CR)