Collaboration Resources
Related page: Tips on Collaboration
Collaboration encompasses working with schools, community organizations, agencies, child care providers, and others to develop cooperative relationships to meet the needs of youth and their families. Collaboration is the key to offering effective services for youth. By forming alliances, public libraries can accomplish a number of goals. These goals include becoming better informed about the needs of youth, finding new ways to inform them about library resources, and providing library services where youth can best use them. The following list of agencies and organizations are among those that libraries are partnering with to provide better services for Idahoans.
Adult Basic Education (ABE) provides instruction to adults in reading, writing, math, speaking English, GED preparation, and computer literacy. The program aims at preparing learners to function as employees, family and community members. For more information visit their web site: http://www.sde.idaho.gov/AdultEducation/default.asp.
Alternative Schools offer special instructional courses and services to eligible at-risk youth to enable them to earn a high school diploma. For a list of Idaho Alternative Schools and contact people in your area, contact your local school district or the Idaho State Department of Education at: http://www.sde.idaho.gov/AlternativeSchools/default.asp
AmeriCorps / VISTA / Idaho programs supported through AmeriCorp grants are located throughout the state. Several programs support community literacy efforts. The Idaho State Department of Education sponsors 30 AmeriCorps*VISTA members who are working on the Idaho Reads Project in 18 different school districts. The goal of Idaho Reads is to ensure that every child can read well and independently by the end of the third grade. For information: contact Kent Griffiths, Idaho State Director, Corporation for National Service, 304 North 8th, Room 344, Boise, ID 83702, 208/334-1707, e-mail: id@cns.gov. For information on other AmeriCorp programs statewide, contact Kelly Houston, executive director of the Idaho Commission for National and Community Service, (208) 658-2063 or 800-588-3334, http://www.serveidaho.com. See listing for Idaho Department of Education's Idaho Reads VISTA project below. http://www.sde.idaho.gov/Vista/default.asp
Child Care Programs. Many child care programs work with children with special needs. These may be center- or home-based programs serving young children or before/after school programs for school aged children. Most communities are served by a child care resource and referral agency that can refer callers to various types of regulated care in the area. To identify child care resources in your area, see Idaho Department of Health & Welfare's Idaho Child Care Resource and Referral page on the Early Childhoood Information Clearinghouse web site: http://www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/portal/alias__Rainbow/lang__en-US/tabID__3374/DesktopDefault.aspx.
Children's Organizations, Groups, and Clubs. Communities may have opportunities for partnerships with groups that work with children with special needs such as Special Olympics, Boys and Girls Clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Big Brothers/Sisters, YM/YWCA, Salvation Army, and 4-H.
Community Based Organizations. A wide variety of organizations exist that support linkages to youth with special needs. These include churches, homeless shelters, domestic abuse shelters, Easter Seal, the Idaho Chapter of United Cerebral Palsy, Idaho Chapter of the March of Dimes, and parent support programs. Many community based programs also can link to special needs children within specific populations, such as the Idaho Migrant Council.
Developmental disabilities boards provide a wide variety of services for persons of all ages who have developmental disabilities. Services may include counseling, prevention programs, family support services, diagnosis, and evaluation. For more information visit the http://www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/portal/alias__Rainbow/lang__en-US/tabID__3465/DesktopDefault.aspx.
Even Start programs work in collaboration with other community programs to provide family literacy services in low-income school districts for families and their young children. The program provides preschool opportunities for children who are under seven, as well as parenting education, literacy skills, and GED preparation. For more information about Idaho Even Start programs and a list of current Even Start sites, visit the Idaho Even Start web site: http://www.sde.idaho.gov/EvenStart/default.asp
Foster Grandparent Program provides one-on-one educational time between senior citizens and children. The program reaches low income seniors and children of special needs. You could also contact your local chapter of the AARP. For more information on the Foster Grandparent Program contact:
Foster Grandparent Program
1607 W. Jefferson
Boise, ID 83702
(208) 336-5533 ext. 231 / FAX: (208) 336-0880
Head Start. A federal program for preschool children from low income families, Head Starts are operated by local non profit organizations in almost every county in the country. They provide a variety of education, health, nutrition, disability/special needs, mental health, transportation, and social services to preschool children and their families. The overall goal of Head Start service is to improve children's social and educational skills. Children's families must meet federal income guidelines for poverty. For a list of Idaho Head Start centers, visit their web site: www.idahoheadstartassoc.net/ .
Health departments and/or human services departments provide public health nursing services such as family health and immunization clinics, lead screening, and home visits. Health care providers such as doctor's offices, community health nurses, Red Cross, La Leche League and hospital programs for children are another possible source of collaboration. You can find a list of contact information and the geographical breakdown of the Health Districts in Idaho by visiting http://www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/portal/alias__Rainbow/lang__en-US/tabID__3382/DesktopDefault.aspx.
Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children (IAEYC) is the state affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the largest early childhood organization in the U.S. Idaho also has six local affiliated chapters: North Idaho AEYC, Pocatello AEYC, Eastern Idaho AEYC, Snake River AEYC, Treasure Valley AEYC, and Palouse Area AEYC. The organization works to improve the quality of life for Idaho's young children and their families by (1) improving professional practice in early care and education, (2) building public understanding and support, and (3) building and maintaining a strong, diverse and inclusive organization. For more information, visit their web site: http://www.idahoaeyc.org/ .
Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs. The commission main goal is to promote economic, educational, and social equality. It watches for programs and legislation and researches problems and issues dealing with Hispanic Idahoans. The Commission on Hispanic Affairs serves as liaison between the community and government entities. For more information visit their web site at http://www2.idaho.gov/icha/ or contact them at:
Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs
5460 West Franklin Road Suite B.
Boise, ID 83605
208-334-3776
208-334-3778 Fax
Idaho Department of Education's Idaho Reads VISTA project supports reading in several elementary schools in Idaho. The goal of Idaho Reads is to ensure that every child can read well and independently by the end of the third grade. For more information, visit http://www.sde.idaho.gov/Vista/default.asp
The Idaho Department of Health & Welfare's Infant and Toddler Program helps children from birth to age three who have a developmental delay. All babies need an incredible amount in the first few months and years of life; those with developmental delays require special assistance early in life so that they can develop to their potential. For more information, go to: http://www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/portal/alias__Rainbow/lang__en-US/tabID__3369/DesktopDefault.aspx.
Idaho Public Television offers a wide variety of education programming for both children and adults. IPTV aims at serving the unfilled information, education, and entertainment needs of the people of Idaho. To learn more about Idaho Public Television's Ready to Learn initiative, visit their web site: www.idahoptv.org/learn/rtl.cfm .
Idaho Reading Council is the local branch of the International Reading Association. The IRA's works to improve and promote literacy and literacy education through research in reading and teaching techniques and by making that research available through conferences, journals, and other publications. For more information on the Idaho Reading Council go to: www.idahoreads.org/ or visit the national International Reading Association web site at: www.reading.org/.
Independent Living Centers. The centers located across Idaho are non-profit organizations providing an array of services to persons with disabilities. Services include peer support, information and referral, independent living skills training, advocacy, community education, personal care, and service coordination. Contact the State Independent Living Council for information on the center in your area either at their website www2.state.id.us/silc/ or
Kelly Buckland, Executive Director
State Independent Living Council (SILC)
P.O. Box 83720
(350 North Ninth Street, Suite 610B)
Boise, Idaho 83720-9601
208/334-3800 (V/TDD) In Idaho: 1-800-487-4866
208/334-3803 (FAX)
The juvenile justice system can include juvenile probation, juvenile detention centers, sheriff's department, and jail. You can find more information about the Department of Juvenile Corrections at their web site.
Municipal Governments. Cooperative ventures are possible through departments such as parks and recreation, police, museums, and transit. For a list of Idaho museums, click here.
Parents as Teachers focuses on the role parents play as their child's first and primary teachers, especially during the first three years of the child's life. The program educates adult and teen parents about what to expect in their child's development as well as teaching them in-home educational tools. Visit the national Parents as Teachers at: http://www.patnc.org/ .To find a site in your area, click on Idaho.
Schools Districts. School districts in each community have a number of programs where partnerships with the public library could be established to serve children with special needs. Most communities have programs including special education for children with disabilities, migrant education, Title I, and Even Start. For a list of schools in Idaho, visit http://www.sde.idaho.gov/Ed%20Directory/default.asp
Special Education programs provide education and related services to children with disabilities from ages 3 to 21. Children must have a disability and need for special education in the areas of cognitive disabilities, orthopedic impairment, visual or hearing disabilities, learning disabilities, speech and language disabilities, emotional disturbance, autism, traumatic brain injury, or other health impairments. These programs may be a source of information about assistive technology equipment and services. For more information about Special Education in schools, http://www.sde.idaho.gov/SpecialEducation/default.asp.
Title I programs for young children are often offered by school districts with low-income populations. These Title I programs provide classroom based programs and/or home visits to enhance academic and developmental skills. Part of Title I, migrant programs are often available in areas serving the migrant population. For more information on Title I, now part of Student Achievement/School Accountability initiatives at the Idaho Department of Education, visit: http://www.sde.idaho.gov/TitleI/default.asp.
University of Idaho Cooperative Extension programs respond to community needs with education and partnerships that support Idaho families. To learn more about Extension programs, including a list of site locations, visit: www.uidaho.edu/ag/extension/ .
Women, Infants and Children (WIC). A short-term intervention nutrition program for pregnant and breast-feeding women, new mothers, infants, and children under age five. WIC assists program participants in meeting their nutritional needs, reinforces good health habits, and assists participants in obtaining needed community services. To qualify for WIC benefits, individuals must meet moderate income guidelines. To locate the WIC program in your area, call the Idaho Care Line 1-800-926-2558. For more information on the WIC program visit the website at http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/
Contact Stephanie Bailey-White
Contact Peggy McClendon
Tips on Collaboration
Collaboration results won't always be immediate, but continued presence, participation and communication will pay off in the long run. The following are some collaboration tips that may help your group get started or get them back on track if things get stalled.
"Collaboration is a mutually beneficial and well-defined relationship entered into by two or more organizations to achieve results they are more likely to achieve together than alone" (Winer 24).
Elements of Collaboration
A number of essential elements of collaboration facilitates the provision of more responsive support services in communities. These include:
- DEFINING THE TARGET: In a collaborative model, the community -- however broadly or narrowly it is defined -- becomes the target for intervention. Community-wide perspective leads to a broader level of thinking about the complexities of social issues. Collaborative groups help identify issues and opportunities.
- DEFINING A COMMON GOAL: Successful collaboration is based on clearly stated outcome measures that everyone agrees are critical for demonstrating progress.
- PROMOTING THE ASSETS: A collaborative approach must focus on the assets of individuals, families, and communities.
- USING A SYSTEMS APPROACH: Training for all human service providers (teachers, health care practitioners, etc) must include basic and applied theories of systems design. Practitioners must understand the overlapping systems of how communities function.
- COMMITTING TO SYSTEMS REFORM: Individuals committed to a new vision of service delivery must be willing to abandon outdated practices and programs to make way for a new system which promotes the collaboration and integration of services.
- AIMING FOR COMMUNITY CONSENSUS: Skills for reaching a common vision are extremely important for all education, health and human service professionals.
- EVALUATING SUCCESS IN A NEW WAY: The old days of "bean-counting" to indicate successful interventions are slowly changing toward a more realistic goal of how to evaluate the process and progress of change. Does it matter that a family had had four visits to a social worker if there has been no change in the family's interactions? What if a family is functioning more successfully after only one visit to a social worker? We need to look at the nuances of change -- where progress is being made, where the "glue" of the program is located -- rather than depending on ineffective methods of evaluation.
Printed in the Idaho Head Start State Collaboration Project Newsletter: "Building Partnerships Building Families" September 1997
Example of collaborative goals
An example of a collaborative effort involving more than 100 national organizations is the Departments of Education's Family Involvement Partnership for Learning. A steering committee worked on a strategic plan with the following five goals:
- Awareness - increasing community-wide understanding of the need to strengthen and promote family involvement
- Commitment - developing shared commitments by families, schools, and communities to act jointly
- Capacity Building - developing the capacity of families, schools, and communities to work together
- Knowledge Development - identifying and developing knowledge on the use of programs and practices that successfully connect families, schools and communities
- Performance Improvement - supporting the development of appropriate performance benchmarks that assess progress toward greater family involvement through family, school and community partnerships
For more information, write the Family Involvement Partnership for Learning, 600 Independence Ave., S.W. Washington DC 20202-8173.
Collaboration Page | Collaboration Bibliography
Contact Stephanie Bailey-White
Contact Peggy McClendon