Front Page
The Community Agenda is the first newsletter designed specifically for collaborative community groups committed to achieving better results for children and families. A growing number of states are establishing collaboratives through legislation, executive order, or other administrative action. Many others have sprung up independently at the city or county level. States refer to these collaboratives by different names--for example, Missouri and Georgia call them Community Partnerships; Washington state, Health and Safety Networks; Maryland, Local Management Boards; and Michigan, Multi-Purpose Collaborative Bodies.
We use the term "community collaboratives" to describe local entities--representing public, private, neighborhood, and parent/family interests--that are beginning to assume a governing role in developing services for children and families within a defined geographic area. Governing, in this context, means having sufficient authority, capacity, and trust from citizens to influence, guide, and direct the use of public, private, and community resources to meet the diverse, interconnected needs of children, families, and communities. Community collaboratives offer a promising way to improve community supports and services so that children can grow up healthy, safe, and successful in school and parents are able to work and to support and nurture their children.
Most publications on child and family services policies are geared toward one or more "categorical" agencies. There is virtually no regular source of information specifically for community collaboratives. The Community Agenda's mission is to fill this gap.
We hope to provide information that can lead community collaboratives to action. In this issue, we highlight welfare reform. Future issues will explore a broader mix of issues and resources. We want this publication to represent a partnership with people in the field. Please provide us with information, case studies, and tips on new developments and approaches to local governance in your community.
