ABSTRACT
The more open agency professionals are with schools, the more likely the school is to be cooperative in re-engaging and/or maintaining the youth. Cross-agency training is a great way to eliminate this communication barrier by providing face-to-face meetings and fostering new working relationships. The action team first develops brief training for each agency represented on the team, including procedural updates and additions. In the beginning stages of forming cross-agency training, be sure to include all existing training provided to agencies and schools. Identify agency training coordinators who can assist in this effort and partner with them to identify existing materials such as presentations, handouts, and curricula. Agency training is a good source for introducing the education staff (ES) and the ES role in providing individual education planning. Cross-agency training absolutely must be sustainable and each action team member must commit to making this a priority.
