Practices for Working as a Multi-Agency Team

Agency Neutral, Outcome-Focused, Person-Centered

It is impossible to offer enough detailed information about navigating agency collaboration and partnerships to address every individual scenario. Nor would it be meaningful until applied to the individual process. Instead, the practices that guide multi-agency teams are summed up in three words: agency-neutral, outcome-focused and person-centered. This is the mantra that all team members should share when working as a multi-agency team! In order to understand what this means in the teaming process, several practices are offered below to assist the individual and team to begin laying the foundation for working together as an agency-neutral, outcome-focused and person-centered team. All members of the team should review and agree to use these core practices for true collaborative success.

1. Create Ample Time To Develop Relationships

   Initially, teams should plan several hours to meet with the person and others on the team to facilitate connections with each other and the person. As the process continues, shorter meetings, email and phone calls may be sufficient, however creating the foundation of partnership in a face-to-face, well-paced meeting is invaluable.

2. Watch The Acronyms and Agency Specific Language

   Team conversations with individuals and families as well as cross-agency communication should be ‘agency-neutral’. Use ‘real’ language! Explain what terms mean. Offer a guide to acronyms. Encourage everyone to ask questions so there is a common understanding of what is being discussed, suggested and offered.

3. Develop a Communication Plan for the Team

   While agencies, organizations or schools have procedures, it is helpful to agree upon how information will be communicated across a specific team. ‘Who will send what information to whom and when’. Early in the process compile a list of all team members, their role on the team, and how to contact the person. Generally a phone number and email address are sufficient.

4. Avoid Beginning ‘Planning’ With ‘Service’

   Services are likely on everyone's mind as you come together. It is easy to fall into the pattern of service discussion soon after everyone joins the meeting. Instead, hold those discussions until it is clear there is enough information to make a decision about what service is needed and when. Services are designed to meet a need that will move a person closer to the identified goal. In some cases, when there is not enough information, the initial services may actually need to focus on gathering more information.

5. Practice Person-Centeredness

   This term is now firmly in our collective vocabulary. All agencies and schools support the philosophy of ‘person-centeredness’. However, engaging in the practice of person-centeredness is often not as easy when faced with procedures, policies and regulations. Nevertheless, if all team members strive to practice in a person-centered manner, many of the barriers, complications and gaps can be addressed. Begin each meeting with this reminder. Use visual reminders, such as a graphic with the person’s photo and goals in the middle.