The process of development of interagency relationships

Seven parameters of an interagency relationship were examined for their importance to the process and perceived effectiveness of the relationships between a new community agency and seven established agencies. Perceptions of performance of the new agency on these seven parameters changed over time, primarily in a positive direction. In the first 6 months of a relationship, the quality of planning for projects was correlated with perceived effectiveness. When a relationship was 12 to 18 months old, clarity of goals and of activities, presentation of the agency's mission, the agency's resources, and the agency's communications were related to perceived effectiveness. Implications for the development of interagency relations are discussed.