Using the Guide

      This guide provides a framework for individuals and organizations desiring to develop or strengthen local interagency linkage teams. Its development emerges from the experiences of the For the Common Good State Linkage Team in facilitating the formation of local interagency linkage teams throughout Ohio. These local teams focus on improving services to at-risk youth and adults through the development of collaborative interagency linkages. The guide proposes a series of steps, poses a number of questions, and provides planning forms and information about additional resources to assist interested persons in implementing the process of collaborative interagency linkage development to provide better services for at-risk clients.

      The process outlined in this guide can help overcome many of the deterrents to interagency collaboration-

      • Shortage of time
      • Lack of information
      • Competition for scarce resources
      • Distinct organizational structures
      • Different geographical boundaries
      • Dissimilar calendars, i.e., the school year versus the calendar year

      If you want to become involved in developing or strengthening local interagency linkages, this guide will assist you. Its purpose is to assist in planning for, implementing, and sustaining interagency linkage teams through a series of steps:

      • Assessing the local need and climate for interagency partnerships
      • Getting started
      • Forming the team
      • Establishing a collaborative relationship
      • Developing a plan
      • Follow up and follow through

      Although the guide can be used by an agency or an individual desiring to take a leadership role in developing a local interagency team, a collaborative planning effort from the beginning would help ensure co-ownership of the linkage team. A series of questions to guide you through the plan-ning process accompanies each step.

      Instant collaboration may bring instant gratification, but it is not likely to bring success. Instead, careful planning, combined with thoughtful involvement of people and places, is essential for the kind of . . . collaboration that leads to improved well-being for all [individuals at-risk].
      uthrie 1991

      As with most planning activities, it may not be feasible or desirable to follow the steps in a linear fashion. However, each step contains information that must be considered in the process of interagency linkage development. Appendices contain materials that can be copied and used as aids in the process. Appendix A contains an action plan form for use in developing a plan. Appendix B lists resources for further information. A third appendix describes what is happening in Ohio with the formation and implementation of local interagency linkage teams.

      This page http://literacy.kent.edu/CommonGood/Guide/guideuse.html