Successful partnerships depend on collaboration between individuals.  Over time, officials in mental health and criminal justice agencies may develop exemplary working relationships that lead to improved collaboration and better service to individuals with mental illness.  It is crucial, however, that the leaders of collaborative efforts make an effort to institutionalize their partnership, ensuring its longevity beyond their own tenure.  The following recommendations suggest some steps that can be taken to ensure the endurance of collaborative efforts between the criminal justice and mental health system partners.

Recommendations:

a.

Charge an individual with maintaining the vision of the collaborative effort and managing on a day-to-day basis communication among staff working for each of the various collaborating organizations.

b.

Determine how to share responsibility for positive and negative outcomes.

c.

Prepare contracts or memoranda of understanding defining the terms of the partnership.