The stronger family literacy programs collaborated with other agencies in their communities. All of the usually stated reasons to support partnerships also apply to family literacy. These may include:

• sharing expertise and strengths to make effective use of existing resources;
• improving services and access;
• offering services in locations convenient to families;
• leveraging limited resources; and
• Working toward the common goal of supporting and strengthening the family.

There are many potential partners for developing integrated services. LVA recommends that:

• The roles and responsibilities of each partner be clearly defined in a written agreement (link to sample document in the Verizon Promising Practices Exchange)
• There be frequent communications among partners
• There is a formal evaluation of partnerships on a regularly scheduled basis. (link to sample document in the Verizon Promising Practices Exchange)

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