NCJ Number
147072
Date Published
1993
Length
20 pages
Annotation
The National Center for Service Integration has defined service integration as the process by which various educational, health, and social services are delivered in a coordinated way to improve outcomes for individuals and families; the role of technical assistance in service integration is addressed.
Abstract
Service integration efforts should strive to overcome disadvantages of fragmented programs and providers. Effective service integration initiatives emphasize comprehensive services, early intervention and prevention, consumer and family-oriented responses, family and individual outcomes, and provider accountability. Service integration's ultimate goal is the delivery of a full range of education, health, and social services. Integration initiatives usually include interagency planning and governing processes and technical assistance. Participants in service integration efforts may seek technical assistance for two reasons: (1) they need an independent perspective; and (2) they need assistance that cuts across several professional disciplines. General types of technical assistance involve assistance to fill specific knowledge gaps about general or substantive topics and assistance with the conceptual or management process associated with designing and implementing service integration initiatives. Elements of successful technical assistance relationships are identified, as well as issues in selecting technical assistance providers and making effective use of such assistance in service integration initiatives. 6 references