title: Key processes, ingredients and components of successful systems collaboration: working with severely emotionally or behaviorally disturbed children and their families.
abstract: Systems collaboration has repeatedly been cited as a component of successful social service delivery. Through qualitative data, this study explored the process involved in inter-agency collaboration when providing Integrative Family and Systems Treatment (I-FAST) for families with severely emotionally or behaviorally disturbed children. Data were collected through a series of eight focus groups with 26 agency collaborators across 11 counties in Ohio. Data analysis revealed two emergent phenomena: the process of developing collaboration, consisting of making initial contact, a trial period and developing trust; and the key ingredients of collaboration, focusing on interpersonal and professional qualities. Implications of each theme are discussed.
authors.affiliation: College of Social Work, The Ohio State University, 1947 N. College Rd., Columbus, OH 43210, USA. lee.355@osu.edu
authors.forename: Mo Yee
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Barbra
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Teater
authors.forename: Gilbert J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Greene
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Solovey
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Grove
authors.forename: J Scott
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.forename: Phil
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Washburn
authors.forename: Kai Shyang
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Hsu
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003142:Communication; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005190:Family; D017144:Focus Groups; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009820:Ohio; D035502:Trust