Collaboration is a process used to reach goals that cannot be achieved by acting alone. The outcome of such collaboration is more than simple communication or coordination, but shared vision and shared action resulting in cohesive family policy and practice. Each of the questions we asked are shown below, along with tallies of the answers given by the 19 site respondents. Note that these responses reflect the opinion of single respondents at each site. Still, these responses are instructive.
Collaborative efforts vary across states, of course.
The opinions expressed by respondents, however, indicate that more could be done to achieve greater collaboration within state developmental disability agencies and across human service agencies. Respondents generally note a modest overall level of state inter-agency collaboration. Further inquiry reveals that more could be done to establish a common vision for family support across state agencies, give incentives for agency workers to undertake joint ventures and otherwise promote effective collaboration. 1 Most respondents indicated moderate or very little overall collaboration in their state or territory. The following statements may or may not depict circumstances in your state.