Inter-agency referrals and the establishment of a community-based treatment program

Based upon a treatment program involving the referral of more than 400 "antisocial" children to a community agency, common problems associated with inter-agency referral processes are discussed. The efficacy of selected inter-agency referral processes (computation, bargaining, judgment, and inspiration) are examined. Causes of misreferrals also are discussed. These include those generated separately by the host agency and by the donor agency and those additionally generated by their mutual interaction. Suggested means for preventing dysfunctions are presented.