This West Virginia community resource guide discusses the growing crisis of school dropouts, reviews some of the consequences of dropping out of school, and provides guidance for schools and communities who seek to initiate a dropout prevention program. After an introductory overview of the dropout problem; the human, health, and educational effects of dropouts on West Virginia; the demography of dropouts in West Virginia, and the individual and family risk factors for school dropouts, the guide discusses the steps to take in initiating a dropout prevention program. The first step is to gather specific information about the school system and community climate; accordingly, advice is provided in a question-and-answer format. The next steps discussed include building a community coalition and developing a community planning process. Strategies for prevention and intervention are then discussed, including tutoring/peer tutoring, extracurricular involvement, parent education, alternative schools, counseling, mentoring, and preschool programs. The next section addresses strategies for developing financial resources to support a dropout prevention program, including school system resources, foundations and corporations, and other local resources. The guide concludes with a discussion of the role of community advocates in initiating such a program, along with a summary and brief suggestions to assist businesses, parents, teachers, and the community in helping children stay in school. Appended are illustrative materials for duplication or for use as overhead transparencies. (TE)