Open Space TechnologyCollaborations that Create True Partnership

TYPICAL SPDG COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS IHEs PTIs, CPRCs LEAs Certification Office Curriculum and Instruction Office, School

Improvement Office, Internal TA System Early Intervention Voc Rehab Mental Health Regional TA Providers RRCs TA Centers Other States

WHAT IS COLLABORATION? (WITH THANKS TO BELINDA BISCOE)

Gray (1991, p. 4) defined collaboration as “a process through which parties who see different aspects of a problem can constructively explore their differences and search for solutions that go beyond their own limited vision of what is possible.”

Gray (1985, p. 912) defined collaboration as “the pooling of appreciations and/or tangible resources, e.g., information, money, labor, etc., by two or more stakeholders to solve a set of problems which can not be solved individually.”

Mattessich (2005) defines collaboration as a mutually beneficial and well-defined relationship entered into by two or more organizations to achieve common goals.

STEPS TO COLLABORATION (STRIETER & BLALOCK, 2006)

Step 1. Clearly define the problem: need for journey. When the need for a program has been identified, but available resources (funds, time, expertise, equipment, etc.) are not sufficient to meet needs, it is time to consider the merits of collaboration. Multiple individuals and organizations are in a far better position to contribute resources needed to improve program outcomes (Ansari, Phillips, & Hammick, 2001; Freeth, 2001).

Step 2. Identify core partners to develop the program: travel companions (Mizrahi & Rosenthal, 200l). Collaborations are stronger and more effective if the major players are included in program development activities. Collaborations can be formed with almost any combinations of individuals, agencies, or organizations. The trick is to identify those individuals and organizations compatible with program goals that also have the resources required to support programming efforts (Ferrari & Sweeney, 2005; Mizrahi & Rosenthal, 200l; Nicola, 2005). These entities should also stand to benefit from the collaboration. The importance of including a diversity of members cannot be overemphasized. Invite members from as many diverse segments of the community as compatible with your mission. Don't forget to include policymakers, the media, business leaders, and your clientele (Alexander et al., 2003; Gardner, 2005; Nicola, 2005).

Step 3. Develop a common vision of the project to increase feelings of shared ownership: the ideal journey (Alexander et al., 2003; Boswell & Cannon, 2005; Ferrari & Sweeney, 2005; Gardner, 2005; Mizrahi & Rosenthal, 200l; Nicola, 2005).

Step 4. Ensure that everyone has a voice and is treated respectfully: travel etiquette (Ferrari & Sweeney, 2005; Gardner, 2005; Mizrahi & Rosenthal, 200l; Osher, 2002; Rebori, 2000).

STEPS TO COLLABORATION CONT. Step 5. Clearly define program and collaboration goals:

destination (De Gibaja, 2001; Gardner, 2005; Mizrahi & Rosenthal, 200l; Nicola, 2005).

Step 6. Define process and plan of work: chart route and define travel modes (De Gibaja, 2001; Freeth, 2001; Mizrahi & Rosenthal, 200l; Osher, 2002).

Step 7. Establish and nurture trusting working relationships between collaborators: ensure travellers' confidence (De Gibaja, 2001; Gardner, 2005; Mizrahi & Rosenthal, 200l; Nicola, 2005).

Step 8. Provide benefits to members and align reward structure with collaborative goals: frequent travel points (Mizrahi & Rosenthal, 200l; Nicola, 2005; Osher, 2002).

Step 9. Evaluate program and collaboration to provide evidence of outcomes and impact: check course (Ansari, Phillips, & Hammick, 2001; Nicola, 2005). Collaborations are not self-sustaining, so periodically use a tool such as Borden's and Perkins' (1999) Collaboration Progress Checklist to ascertain whether course corrections are needed.

Step 10. Use evaluation results to modify, expand, and/or drop the collaboration in order to maximize success and/or sustainability as required by program mission: alter course as needed. If the project mission has been fulfilled, it is time to drop the collaboration (Freeth, 2001).

Stages of Collaboration1

There are various ways to conceptualize the stages/degrees of collaboration and teaming: Coexistence Communication/

Networking/ Forming

Cooperation/ Storming

Coordination Partnering/ Norming

Coalition Collaboration Merging

Coadunation/ Unifying/ Transforming

Groups exist with no collaboration among them

Getting to know one another and their tasks

Sharing common-alities and differences

Developing common ground and a plan of action

Working together to implement, monitor and evaluate the plan

When plan is complete, make a decision to continue as a team w/ new issues or reconstitute the team

1Bailey, D. & Koney, K. (2000). Strategic alliances among health and human services organizations: From affiliations to consolidations. (Abr. ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Gajda, R. (2004). Utilizing Collaboration Theory to Evaluate Strategic Alliances American Journal of Evaluation, 25, (1), 65–77.

Peterson, N.L. (1991). Interagency collaboration under Part H: The key to comprehensive, multidisciplinary, coordinated infan t/toddler intervention services. Journal of Early Intervention, 15(1), 89-105.

Hogue, T. (1993). Community-based collaboration: Community wellness multiplied. Bend, OR: Chandler Center for Community Leadership. Retrieved April 21, 2004, from http://crs.uvm.edu/nnco/collab/wellness.ht ml

Transform and Adjourn Norm and Perform Storm and Order Assemble and Form

Gajda Model (2004)

1 2 3 Peterson Model (1991)

1 2 3 4 5 “Networking”

Hogue Levels of Community Linkage Model (1993)

1 2 3 4 5 Bailey and Koney Model (2000)

Four Principles

Whoever comes is the right people

Whatever happens is the only thing that could have

Whenever it starts is the right time

When it's over, it's over

and one law

The Law of Mobility

TOPICS Suggested by Planning Team

How are you working pro-actively with IHE Decision-makers? -Matt Giugno, NY

Special/General Education Collaboration-Jon Dyson, RI

Consortiums for IHEs-Renee Scott, KY and Matt Giugno, NY

Parent Involvement-Rorie Fitzpatrick, NV

Evaluating Effectiveness of Collaboration Strategies-Pam Williams, MO and Wilma Jozwiak, NY