In addition to providing an integrated, holistic approach to providing services to individuals and communities, partnerships also allow us to avoid duplication of services. Duplication wastes limited resources, can be confusing to clients, and can discourage the community from supporting important initiatives. The fact that we are living in an era of diminishing resources and increasing competition for funds has created a political and economic climate where inefficiency is no longer tolerated.

Inter-agency support, cooperation, and collaboration is therefore seen as desirable because it improves services and because it is a more cost-effective way of using limited resources. It is not uncommon, therefore, for provincial and federal funding criteria to now include a demonstration of strong, significant partnerships with other agencies.

Applicants must form partnerships with other groups or organizations to help integrate services….

The redesign of children's services will introduce an integrated approach -- where service providers form partnerships with other service providers and children -- to improve planning, the kinds of services provided, and delivery…. Integrating services will help improve coordination and provide people opportunity to address, and be part of, the services that affect their lives.

Early Intervention Program Funding Guidelines.
Alberta Office of the Commissioner of
Services for Children, May 1995.

Not only are governments encouraging cooperation, they are also redesigning their own operations and services to allow for increased cooperation and integrated planning. In Alberta, the departments of Justice, Health, Education, Aboriginal Affairs, and Family and Social Services are working together with the Office of the Commissioner of Services for Children to redesign children's services in the province. Improved services, avoiding duplication, and eligibility for funding are not the only motivation behind building partnerships, however. It is not the inefficient use of funds but the insufficient amount of funding available that often makes it necessary to look beyond one's own agency to try and meet clients' needs. Staff are often already over-extended when they identify additional needs; rather than trying to develop and deliver additional services on their own, they realize the importance and even necessity of involving other agencies and drawing on other resources and expertise.