Module 4: Coordinating and Integrating Systems

4C. Developing Interagency Agreements

The purpose of interagency agreements is to have a plan for working together and a process for resolving conflicts. Elements of interagency agreements include clarification of the following issues:

• Treatment services provided
• Frequency and type of client contact
• Notification and discharge communication
• Frequency and type of contact between agencies
• Treatment and referral criteria
• Confidentiality issues
• Success/failure criteria
• Assessment criteria

In developing interagency agreements, the following issues should be agreed upon by all three agencies:

• Treatment services to be provided
• Confidentiality issues
• Use of urinalysis results
• Referral procedures
• Communication procedures
• Assessment criteria

Interagency agreements can look different but accomplish similar goals. The intent is to help provide a plan that helps the three systems work together. See sample Memorandum of Understanding developed by the Denver Juvenile Justice Treatment Network.