The Arizona Collaboration Project
by Jan Meyerpeter, Interagency Coordinator, RAP Region IX, Phoenix, Arizona
The Arizona Department of Education, Head Start, and Region IX RAP have joined together to address the challenges of collaboration in the provision of services to children with disabilities. The 23 Head Start grantee agencies in Arizona provide services to approximately 12,000 children and their families. There are 118 local education agencies (LEAs) operating within Head Start areas and it is possible for one Head Start grantee to serve children from as many as 20 different school districts.
To assist Head Start grantees and LEAs with the development of agreements, the position of Interagency Coordinator was jointly funded by the Arizona Department of Education and Region IX RAP in October 1991.
The Interagency Coordinator, in conjunction with RAP staff, has provided training and technical assistance for Head Start Disabilities Coordinators and LEA Special Education Directors in the agreement process. Input from both agencies was solicited to develop a standard written agreement format which is being used as a guide in the negotiation process. Some major issues and concerns which presented possible barriers to collaborating have been addressed by Head Start grantees and LEAs using a variety of creative strategies and solutions. The project also assists with the implementation of the terms of the agreements.
Some key elements which have contributed to successful collaboration have been:
- The agencies understand fully the mandate of the law (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, ADA) regarding their programs.
- The agencies take the time to understand one another's philosophy, requirements, and service delivery model. There is a respect toward, and a belief in, each agency's ability to provide services to children.
- There are open lines of communication between the agency contact persons. There are regularly scheduled meetings and problems are addressed immediately. Agency contact persons have the time and the commitment to follow up to assure that the terms of the agreement are being implemented.
- The agreement benefits each agency.
- There is willingness to be flexible without compromising regulations and requirements because there is an understanding of the difference between absolute requirements and those areas where there is some flexibility.
- Agreements are specific and attention has been paid to details and procedures.
- Once the agreement is in place, details of the agreement are made clear to appropriate administrative staff, teachers, and parents. Head Start and LEAs present themselves as a team.
The Arizona Collaboration Project has resulted in many successful Head Start/LEA arrangements for providing quality services for Head Start children and their families.
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