This curriculum guide, one of a series developed to assist those involved in implementing career education programs concerned with public service occupations, contains the basic instructional material recommended for the area of social and economic services preparation. The units described are: (1) social service agencies and programs, (2) why people behave as they do, (3) how groups behave, (4) working with community organizations and groups, (5) individual assistance skills, (6) influences on people, and (7) cross-cultural skills. The guide offers suggestions for course content, teaching materials, and instructional pbjectives as well as teacher and student activities helpful in preparing individuals for social and economic service entry-level positions in public service occupations. Related documents are available in this issue as VT 020 793, VT 020 794, VT 020 796, and VT 020 856. (Author/MF)