The Effects of a Coordinating Council of Agencies on Inter-Agency Cooperation and the Perceived Need for Change.

The purpose of this study was to determine the perceived effects of past efforts of the Monroe County Coordinating Council of Agencies on inter-agency cooperation. In addition, this study explored the perceived need for changes in the structure of the Monroe County Coordinating Council of Agencies. In reviewing the objectives of the Monroe County Coordinating Council of Agencies as stated in its by-laws, the council was perceived as having been effective in meeting approximately half of its stated objectives. Generally, there was not support for proposed changes in its structure. The results of the study indicate that: (1) The coordinating council has been perceived as being effective in: (a) increasing agency awareness of other agencies; (b) providing an assembly for agency members to meet and know one another, increasing mutual respect, trust, and friendship; and (c) providing information about seminars and conferences relevant to the council members and to help in scheduling travel and registration. (2) The council has not been perceived as being effective in: (a) avoiding any unnecessary duplication; (b) providing for inservice training for agency personnel; (c) helping agencies in the area of inter-agency program planning; (d) discussing ways of improving services to the people of the county; and (e) encouraging volunteer services for all agencies by providing information about the needs of agencies and by referring qualified and enthusiastic persons to agencies. (3) The council was not perceived as being effective in other areas that were not directly related to the council's objectives, however, these concerns were raised as a result of an ad hoc committee formed to explore additional areas of investigation. (4) The agency personnel indicated that the council should continue to operate with its current structure which includes the following: (a) Program Staff will serve as the agency representative; (b) each agency will have one representative; (c) monthly meetings will be held; (d) agencies will pay dues; and (e) the council should not seek funding for the employment of an Executive Director.Ph.D.Social sciences educationUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/158719/1/8204742.pd