Collaboration has become a pervasive strategy for systemic change in human services, education, government, and community agencies. Collaborative partnerships require a change in thinking and in operating. Such changes can be intimidating or threatening. In addition, other barriers must be overcome to make partnerships work. Examples of successful collaborations are as follows: the Workforce Development Center in Waukesha, Wisconsin, which provides an integrated, seamless system of employment services; and the Learning Community in Flint, Michigan, that exemplifies the trend toward integrated family service centers that include training and educational opportunities for adults and children. Successful collaborations require a great deal of effort to begin and continuous attention to sustain. Six categories of success factors are environment, membership, process/structure, communication, vision, and resources. Steps for developing collaborations include the following: (1) envisioning results; (2) empowering the effort; (3) ensuring success; and (4) endowing continuity. Successful collaborations focus on changing the system. The key is the quality of personal and professional relationships among the people in the agencies and communities involved. (Contains 10 references.) (YLB)