Print Resources

Principles of Collaboration

Bruner, C. Thinking Collaboratively: Questions and Answers to Help Policy Makers Improve Services for Chil-dren. Washington, DC: Education and Human Services Consortium, Institute for Educational Leader-ship, 1991. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 338 984)

Using a question and answer format, this publication helps state and local policy makers consider how best to foster local collaboration that truly benefits children and families. Checklists are provided to help policy makers quickly assess key issues in establishing interagency initiatives, demonstration projects, and state-wide reforms to foster collaboration. (Available for $3.00 from the Education and Human Services Consortium, c/o IEL, 1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 310, Washington, DC 20036-5541. Tel.: (202) 822-8405.)

Greenberg, M., and Levy, J. Confidentiality and Collaboration: Information Sharing in Interagency Efforts. Washington, DC: A joint publication of Joining Forces, American Public Welfare Association, Center for Law and Social Policy, Council of Chief State School Officers, and Education Commission of the States, 1992. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 345 402)

Based on the premise that confidentiality is neither an impenetrable barrier nor something that can be casually disregarded, this publication shares the experiences of practitioners from around the country who are tackling the issue successfully. Includes information about how the principle of "informed consent" is being approached by states and localities. Includes sample forms. (Available as No. AR-9201 for $6.00 from the Education Commission of the States Distribution Center, 707 17th Street, Suite 2700, Denver, CO 80202-3427.)

Guthrie, P. G., and Guthrie, L. F. "Streamlining Interagency Collaboration for Youth at Risk." Educational Leadership 49, no. 1 (September 1991): 17-22.

A summary of emerging principles for interagency collaboration including examples of how some com-munities are trying to encourage interagency collaboration.

Kadel, S. Interagency Collaboration: Improving the Delivery of Services to Children and Families. Tallahassee, FL: Southeastern Regional Vision for Education (SERVE), July 1992. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 349 511)

This four-part report focuses on interagency collaboration in the delivery of social services to children and families. Covered are the "what" and "why" of collaboration; steps, advice, and strategies for collaborating; information on state- and national-level collaborative action; and possible sources of financial support. Appendices offer information on publications and tools to aid a collaborative effort through each state of devel-opment (e.g., needs assessment surveys, staff oath of confidentiality, and so forth). (Single copies available free from SERVE by calling (800) 352-6001; additional copies, $7.00.)

Mattessich, P. W., and Monsey, B. R. Collaboration: What Makes It Work. St. Paul, MN: Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, 1992.

Subtitled, "A Review of Research Literature on Factors Influencing Successful Collaboration," this publication reviews and summarizes the existing research literature on factors that influence the success of collaboration. The results are reported in a manner that enables users of the report to benefit from the experiences of others. (Available for $11.95 plus $2.00 shipping and handling from Amherst H. Wilder Foundation Publishing Center, 919 Lafond Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104; (800) 274-6024.)

Melaville, A., with M. Blank. What It Takes: Structuring Interagency Partnerships to Connect Children and Families with Comprehensive Services. Washington, DC: Education and Human Services Consortium, Institute for Educational Leadership, 1991. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 330 748)

This monograph looks at why local schools, health and welfare agencies, youth service agencies, community-based organizations, and others must join forces on behalf of children and families, and it offers guidance based on emerging experience about how they can move forward together. (Available for $3.00 from the Education and Human Services Consortium, c/o IEL, 1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 310, Washington, DC 20036-5541. Tel.: (202) 822-8405.)

Melaville, A. I., and Blank, M. J. Together We Can: A Guide for Crafting a Profamily System of Education and Human Services. Washington, DC: Office of Educational Research and Improvement, U.S. Department of Education; and Office of Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, April 1993. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 357 856)

Developed to help communities improve coordination of education, health, and human services for at-risk children and families, this publication leads the reader through a five-stage collaborative process with milestones and landmines portrayed through vignettes and case studies. The concept of systems change is basic to the guide. Especially useful are the appendices that include checklists and a directory of key contacts and resource organizations and an extensive bibliography of resources. (Available from the U.S. Government Printing Of-fice, Superintendent of Documents, Mail Stop: SSOP, Washington, DC 20402-9328; ISBN 0-16-041721-X.)

National Assembly of National Voluntary Health and Social Welfare Organizations. The Community Collaboration Manual. Washington, DC: NANVHSWO, 1991.

Designed to be used by individuals at any level within any type of community organization, this manual explores options for building and sustaining collaborations by providing step-by-step guidelines for the initial formation of a collaboration. For those beginning collaborative activities, information on basic steps is included, but for those more experienced, it includes a discussion of more complex issues. Topics of special interest are business involvement in collaboration, the role of the media, and pitfalls and barriers to successful collaboration. (Available for $10.95 plus $3.00 shipping from NANVHSWO, 1319 F Street, NW, Suite 601, Washington, DC 20004; (202) 347-2080; Fax (202) 393-4517.)

Ohio Center for Action on Coalition Development for Families and High Risk Youth. Building Coalitions. Columbus: Cooperative Extension Service, The Ohio State University, 1992. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 350 407)

The Ohio Center for Action on Coalition Development has produced a series called, "Building Coalitions," that consists of a number of fact sheets on the following topics: needs assessment for coalition building, understanding the process, goal setting, communication, working with diverse cultures, turf issues, and evaluation. In addition, the center makes available a reference manual that includes a teaching plan for using the fact sheets. (For further information, contact the Ohio Center for Action on Coalition Development, The Ohio State Univer-sity, Room 203, Agricultural Administration, 2120 Fyffe Road, Columbus, OH 43210-1084; (614) 292-2533.)

Winer, M., and Ray, K. Collaboration Handbook: Creating, Sustaining, and Enjoying the Journey. St. Paul, MN: Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, 1994.

This four-part guide is designed to help users learn about creating, sustaining, and enjoying new ways of working together. Part I offers a story to present in action the stages and challenges of collaboration. In part II, collaboration is defined and the metaphor of a journey is applied to the process of collaboration. The four stages of collaboration are detailed in part III. The appendices in part IV contain resources and forms for documenting collaboration. (Available for $28.00 plus $2.00 shipping and handling from Amherst H. Wilder Foun-dation Publishing Center, 919 Lafond Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104; (800) 274-6024.)

Wynn, J. R.; Merry, S. M.; and Berg, P. G. Children, Families, and Communities: Early Lessons from a New Approach to Social Services. Washington, DC: Education and Human Services Consortium, American Youth Policy Forum of the Institute for Educational Leadership, 1995.

This paper presents observations and early lessons from a community initiative now in its fourth year in eight Chicago-area communities. The initiative is based on a conceptual framework designed to redefine services and broaden social responsibility for the development of children and families. (Available for $5.00 from American Youth Policy Forum, 1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 719, Washington, DC 20036-5541; (202) 775-9731.)

Welfare Reform

Imel, S. Welfare to Work: The Role of Adult Basic and Literacy Education. Practice Application Brief. Columbus: ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, Career, and Vocational Education, Center on Education and Training for Employment, The Ohio State University, 1995. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 381 689)

This brief reviews the research findings on welfare reform and adult basic and literacy education and lists implications for practice. (Available free from ERIC/ACVE, 1900 Kenny Road, Columbus, OH 43210-1090.)

Reder, S., and Wikelund, K. R. Steps to Success: Literacy Development in a Welfare-to-Work Program. Final Report to the National Institute for Literacy. Portland, OR: Literacy, Language & Communication Program, Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, November 1994. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 381 631)

Reports on the results of a project that investigated long-term literacy development and its economic impact among clients of a welfare-to-work program. Results indicate that clients in the educational track of the welfare-to-work program raised their literacy skills substantially.

TSchorr, L. B. Within Our Reach: Breaking the Cycle of Disadvantage. New York: Doubleday, 1989.

Based on her belief that "we can significantly change the odds for youngsters growing up in environ-ments that threaten healthy development by building on programs that have already proven success-ful," the author describes programs that worked for families and children living in poverty and social dislocation.

Southport Institute for Policy Analysis. "It's Not Like They Say." Welfare Recipients Talk about Welfare, Work and Education. Washington, DC: SIPA, 1992.

Extracts from interviews with 22 groups of approximately 150 welfare recipients in five different states in which the participants speak for themselves about the AFDC program, work, education, family and all other topics that make up the standard discussion on welfare provide the text for this report.

Wikelund, K. R. Motivations for Learning: Voices of Women Welfare Reform Participants. NCAL Technical Report TR93-10. Philadelphia: National Center on Adult Literacy, University of Pennsylvania, October 1993. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 364 748)

Reports on the results of a qualitative study in which 27 clients in the welfare-to-work literacy program partici-pated. As a result of the program, participants experienced participants experienced positive changes in their concepts of self, skills,and sense of choice and personal control regarding progress toward self-sufficiency.

Common Good Project Publications

Imel, S. For the Common Good: Local Interagency Linkage Team. Second Follow-up Report. Columbus: Center on Education and Training for Employment, The Ohio State University, September 1994. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 374 324)

This follow-up report assesses the results of the Common Good, a statewide project to facilitate the formation of local interagency linkage teams throughout Ohio. Included is information received from 31 of the 36 teams about their activities as well as other information collected during the 4-year project. Concludes with recom-mendations about local interagency linkage teams and their activities.

Imel, S. Local Interagency Linkage Team Follow-Up Report. Ohio At-Risk Linkage Team Project. Columbus: Center on Education and Training for Employment, The Ohio State University, August 1992. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 347 406)

Reports on the efforts of the first 2 years of the Ohio At-Risk Linkage Team Project (now known as the Common Good) to strengthening state and local linkages of programs and services offered to at-risk persons. Includes information collected from 23 local linkage teams about their efforts to create integrated services.

Imel, S., and Sandoval, G. T. Ohio At-Risk Linkage Team Project: A Report on Three State Team Projects. Columbus: Center on Education and Training for Employment, The Ohio State University, 1990. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 324 514)

Reports on the experiences of the State of Ohio At-Risk Linkage team including an analysis of a state-wide linkage survey, implementation of a linkage workshop for local teams, and identification of exemplary local linkages. Contains copies of completed action plans and tips about developing and maintaining local interagency linkages.

National Resource Organizations

Education and Human Services Consortium

Family Resource Coalition (FRC)

National Center for Service Integration (NCSI)

Wider Opportunities for Women (WOW)