SUBSTANTIAL POVERTY IN RURAL AREAS HAS BEEN CAUSED BY UNEMPLOYMENT DUE TO THE TECHNOLOGICAL REVOLUTION WHICH HAS MECHANIZED AGRICULTURAL OCCUPATIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN THE EXCLUSIVE DOMAIN OF THE FARM LABORER. A WELL-ORGANIZED COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM PROVIDES A MEANS OF EFFECTIVELY COMBATING THE RATE OF UNEMPLOYMENT WHICH IS ESPECIALLY HIGH AMONG YOUTH. SUGGESTIONS FOR A COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM INCLUDE--(1) AN INFORMATION CENTER TO DISSEMINATE INFORMATION CONCERNING EDUCATIONAL AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, (2) A PERIODICALLY UPDATED SURVEY OF COMMUNITY, INDIVIDUAL, AND INDUSTRIAL NEEDS, (3) A REFERRAL SERVICE TO PLACE THE INDIVIDUAL IN THE JOB FOR WHICH HE IS BEST PREPARED, OR TO REFER HIM TO THE PROPER PROGRAM FOR FURTHER TRAINING, (4) A COMPREHENSIVE VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM IN SUCH AREAS AS AGRICULTURE AND RURAL NON-FARM OCCUPATIONS WHICH ARE DEVELOPING ON RURAL FRINGES OF URBAN AREAS, (5) A JOB DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL EMPLOYERS TO INITIATE THEIR OWN SPECIALIZED TRAINING PROGRAMS, (6) AN ON-THE-JOB TRAINING PROGRAM FOR YOUTH WHO ARE UNABLE TO RETURN TO SCHOOL, AND, (7) A MULTI-COUNTY PROGRAM IN REGIONS WHERE THE SPARSE POPULATION WOULD RENDER LOCAL PROGRAMS IMPRACTICAL. (DA)