A study examined the statewide mental health agency training programs for paraprofessional mental health workers that exist throughout the United States. During the study, researchers contacted all 50 state mental health manpower development offices and requested copies of statewide training programs, instructional materials, training needs assessment studies, and descriptions of unique training developments. Although there was little consensus about training priorities for paraprofessionals in community mental health agency positions, many states indicated that few new staff, whether professional or paraprofessional, had adequate skills for working with severely disturbed, chronically mentally ill clients. In addition, most respondents believed that two broad subject areas were important: case management skills necessary for developing linkages with community supportive services and skills in developing treatment plans. The ways in which different states have approached the problem of training mental health workers varied considerably. Included among the training strategies adapted by different states were the following: the development of statewide agreements with colleges or universities to define the conditions for training agency workers, the use of training materials for specialized subjects geared to several levels of staff, and the establishment of decentralized responsibility for developing training programs and materials. (This publication analyzes the findings of the survey in detail and provides examples of training materials.) (MN)