title: Inter-organizational collaboration in the implementation of evidence-based practices among public agencies serving abused and neglected youth.
abstract: This study examined the role of inter-organizational collaboration in implementing new evidence-based practices for addressing problem behaviors in at-risk youth. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 38 systems leaders of probation, mental health, and child welfare departments of 12 California counties participating in a large randomized controlled trial to scale-up the use of Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care. Three sets of collaboration characteristics were identified: (1) characteristics of collaboration process, (2) characteristics of the external environment, and (3) characteristics of participating organizations and individuals. Inter-organizational collaboration enables an exchange of information and advice and a pooling of resources individual agencies may require for successful implementation.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Southern California, 669 W. 34th Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-0411, USA, palinkas@usc.edu.
authors.forename: Lawrence A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Palinkas
authors.forename: Dahlia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fuentes
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Finno
authors.forename: Antonio R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Ian W
authors.initials: IW
authors.lastname: Holloway
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chamberlain
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002140:California; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002669:Child Welfare; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D005581:Foster Home Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006284:Health Plan Implementation / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged