Agencies Working Together

Describes ways in which human service agencies working in related areas can coordinate with one another without undue expense or difficulty. The authors offer ways of improving such common techniques as cross-referral networks. They also describe rare and relatively difficult approaches such as joint programme evaluation. Methods for establishing ties with other agencies and setting common objectives are detailed, along with techniques useful in meeting immediate client needs. Case consultation, joint intake and assessment, colocation of agencies and exchange of staff, and potential difficulties and benefits of cooperation are also considered.