To promote children's healthy development and give them opportunities to flourish, families need a wide range of support services. These services are often disconnected from each other. Early care and education (ECE) has a particularly fragmented system (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 2018). Systems with myriad processes…

Programs that address the needs of low-income parents and children at the same time may hold promise for reducing the transmission of poverty across generations. Contemporary programs of this type address some key weaknesses that may have limited the effectiveness of earlier such approaches, including too little attention paid to the quality,…

An emphasis on the outcomes of health and social care services has become increasingly apparent within public policy in the United Kingdom. Alongside this, working in partnership has been a key theme, despite a relatively underdeveloped evidence base. Of central importance, however, must be whether directives toward partnership working are…

This is the fifth and final report of a longitudinal study examining the use of a comprehensive system of prevention and early intervention services in Palm Beach County, and how its use relates to the outcomes of children and families living in four targeted geographic areas (TGAs) with high rates of poverty, teen pregnancy, crime, and child…

Extended schools have featured in a range of government policies, promoting integration between education, social services departments and health services, supported by children's trusts, to better meet the needs of children. Legislative changes, and developments such as the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) and the role of the lead professional,…

This report presents findings of a study of case management in the United States refugee program. "Case management" is defined as a coordinated activity designed to improve use of services and assistance programs by providing for formal linkages between multiple service providers and by designating a single individual or agency to be…

This paper considers the nature of effective partnerships both between clients and child protection agencies in the United Kingdom, and among agencies in the child protection field. The need for clear definitions of "partnership" is emphasized. A framework for interagency collaboration is offered. (Author/DB)

The amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) in 2004 reiterate the significance of producing real postsecondary education, employment, and independent living outcomes. However, current employment data continue to show widespread unemployment and very limited access to inclusive community environments and…

The Child Welfare League of America is the nation's oldest and largest membership-based child welfare organization committed to engaging people everywhere in promoting the well-being of children, youth, and their families and protecting every child from harm. This issue of "The Link" contains the following articles: (1) Improving System…

Describes how rural human service agencies of Clarendon County (South Carolina) cooperate, coordinate, and use creativity in providing services for their mutual client populations. Discusses use of interagency teams and shared resources and training, problems regarding confidentiality, and response to client needs. (NEC)

Investigates the coordination of services for children with developmental disabilities among state agencies. Results suggest that a substantial number of children with developmental disabilities and their families receive services from child welfare agencies and that service coordination among agencies relies heavily on formal interagency…

A satellite assisted, interactive teleconference titled "Networking for Interagency Collaboration" was evaluated to determine the effectiveness of the telecommunications mode in contrast to a central site mode. The conference background, goals, and content are described and two specific telecommunications goals are formally presented: 1) to…

Uses data from three studies of work norm development to explore a framework for assessing prospects for successful interagency collaboration among schools and other social service agencies. Social service failures are systemic, springing from inappropriate use of work-role specialization and bureaucratic organization. Overcoming the resulting…

This report focuses on interagency collaboration in the delivery of social services to children and families. Section I discusses the "why" and "what" of collaboration and family service centers. It addresses the common questions of potential collaborators who may have little or no background information on the subject. Section II offers steps,…

Examines links between senior citizen centers (N=755) and other community agencies. Found that the elderly were often referred to other organizations, but that collocation of services were rare. Cites lack of transportation, time, communication, and an understanding of the needs of the elderly were the most common barriers to senior center…