11

PartnershipsPartnershipsandand

CollaborationCollaboration

Strategic Service Delivery ComponentDisability Employment Initiative

The following chart highlights the core elements associated with this service delivery component and includes the names of the states that will be implementing this approach:

Access the following link to learn what each DEI project proposed in their statement of work around this component: http://dei-ideas.org/chapter2-1/page8a_pandc.cfm

Collaboration is….

A mutually beneficial relationship which involves people from different sectors of the community joining together to achieve a common goal.

Involves joint planning and shared resources, funding & accountability.

Occurs through shared understanding of issues, open communication, mutual trust & tolerance of differing points of view.

The most intensive level of partnership.

Collaboration is not …

Co-location of two or more service providers in the same office, without effective integration of programs/services

One person’s design or strategy

Compromise or consensus

Simply a one-way or two-way information exchange (nor does it imply supervision)

Fostering Systems Collaboration

Communication: Meet with leaders of local organizations & listen for shared goals

Building Trust: Invite persons with disabilities & providers to One-Stop workshops, tours, orientations & assistive technology demonstrations

Participation: Represent One-Stop’s commitment to collaboration by participating in other events, networking groups & consumer advisory councils

Establishing Partnerships – State Level

Office of Workforce Investment/ Workforce Commission

Vocational Rehabilitation Department of Labor Social Security

Administration Department of Education Department of

Transportation Housing and Urban

Development

State Medicaid Office Dept of Health & Human

Services Governor’s Commission o

People with Disabilities Advocacy Organizations Faith-based & Community -

based Organizations Disability Program

Navigators Disability Resource

Coordinators Individuals with Disabilities

Establishing Partnerships – Local Level

Independent Living Center(s) Community Work Incentives

Coordinator (CWIC) Adult Literacy Programs Community Colleges -

Offices for Students with Disabilities

Veterans Counselors Older Workers Programs Employment Networks Community-Based Providers

(Job Developers, Job Coaches, Service Coordinators, etc.)

TANF Counselors

Local Workforce Investment Board Executive Staff

Representative from the Business Sector

One-Stop Career Center Director, Manager, WIA Counselor & Business Service Staff

Vocational Rehabilitation Commission for the Blind &

Visually-Impaired Commission for the Deaf &

Hard-of-Hearing Department of Mental Health Department of Mental

Retardation

Possible Roadblocks to Collaboration

Lack of relationship building & trust

Lack of common interest & values

Lack of purpose, mission & goals

Lack of leadership

Lack of communication; unclear about each other’s roles

Lack of resources & time

The fear of loss of position, power & resources

Lack of an investment culture-we don't always think about the future (we are here & now focused, crisis oriented)

The Role of DRCs

Competencies needed to Establish Effective Partnerships: Ability to analyze needs of customers and workforce

system

Knowledge of potential partners and their organizations/services

Ability to negotiate and communicate

Ability to share decision making

Ability to develop performance measures

Benefits of Strategic Partnerships

Leverage strengths

Share responsibility

Gain competencies

Increase potential for innovation

Enhance competency sets

Increase organizational visibility

References

Virginia Commonwealth University (2005). Developing Collaborative Community Partnershipshttp://www.worksupport.com/research/viewContent.cfm/489

Butterworth, J., Foley, S., & Metzel, D. (2001). Developing interagency agreements: Four questions to consider. The Institute Brief, 11(1). Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts, Boston. http://www.communityinclusion.org/article.php?article_id=14

Rick Dove, (1998) Collaboration: Are More Heads Better? Paradigm Shift Internationalhttp://www.parshift.com/Essays/essay047.htm