Levels of Collaboration

Burnett (1994) describes four levels of collaboration (originally cited in Bruner, 1991) that are essential in ensuring successful school-linked services:

• Collaboration between administrators provides the support and impetus for a successful program.

• Collaboration between social service providers and school personnel ensures that the program is adequately planned and designed and that it runs smoothly on a day-to-day basis.

• Collaboration among members of a participating agency ensures responsibility, trust, direction, and an atmosphere of collegiality.

• Collaboration between teachers, social service providers, and families is essential because services are actually delivered at this level. In most cases, teachers already have a relationship with the parents and are able to act as intermediaries in getting services to the families.