1. Purpose

This section describes the “why” of a partnership and what guides the activities listed in their interagency memorandum of understanding (MOU):

• Address an identified need or goal
• Create joint, cooperative services—avoid duplication
• Provide and strengthen services to children with disabilities and their families
• Define staff’s roles and responsibilities
• Plan joint training and technical assistance and share information
• Promote information and share resources
• Facilitate transition
• Describe the setting for delivery of services
• Define roles and responsibilities for sharing information
• Define participants and agencies involved
• Describe funding arrangements

2. Program Overview

The organizations listed represent the participants in the interagency MOU and include a description of their services:

• Head Start program, which offers children educational services
• Local education agency (LEA) or early intervention agency, which offers Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) services to eligible children
• Contract organizations, which hire and train interventionists, teachers, and related service personnel as necessary
• Community partners, which support disability services for children and their families

3. Mutual Philosophy

The following terms describe the philosophies that guide partners’ work:

• Collaboration and interagency coordination
• Family centered
• Partnership  
• Communication  
• Services in the least restrictive environment (LRE)
• Avoiding duplication
• Individualized services
• Consistent and secure relationships
• Smooth transitions

Think about what you have in common and where you differ in these areas. Develop ways to resolve different perspectives. Talk about the language each partner uses to describe processes, practices, or rules. Often, partners use different terms to describe the same things. Having a purposeful discussion about language can avoid confusion and build a shared understanding.

4. Enabling Mandates

Here are some examples of the mandates for an interagency agreement:

• Head Start Program Performance Standards
  • Community partnerships and coordination with other early childhood and education programs, 45 CFR Subpart E §1302.53
  • Coordination and collaboration with the local agency responsible for implementing IDEA, 45 CFR Subpart F §1302.63
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
  • Part B
    • Sec. 300.154 Methods of ensuring services
  • Part C
    • Sec. 303.210 Coordination with Head Start and Early Head Start, early education, and child care programs
    • Sec. 303.511 Methods to ensure the provision of, and financial responsibility for, Part C services
• Local or state policies regarding service delivery in the LRE or natural environment

5. Areas of Collaboration

This section describes roles and responsibilities for the agencies. Each interagency MOU considers state-specific processes or procedures: 

• Identify Head Start program’s role in Child Find
• Work together to refer and evaluate the child
• Determine eligibility and share evaluation results
• Organize and track supports
• Create greater learning opportunities in the LRE
• Work together to follow the Individualized Family Service Plan
• Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Education Program (IEP)
• Support communication between staff and early intervention and special education providers
• Integrate and coordinate service delivery
• Plan adaptations, accommodations, assistive technology, and other individualized supports
• Coordinate training and technical assistance
• Enhance transitions
• Enhance family engagement 

6. Confidentiality

This section describes confidentiality practices as required by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), and the Performance Standards.

7. Dispute Resolution

A brief section outlines how to deal with conflict as it might arise through the partnership. This likely indicates specific, agreed-upon procedures for conflict resolution. Either partner can initiate a dispute resolution. 

8. Review and Amendments

This section specifies a regular review schedule for the agreement to ensure that it is effective. Partners also define the process for requests for changes or amendments.

9. Definitions

The definitions section simply serves as a glossary or a list of terms and acronyms listed in the agreement to establish a common language and understanding of services. Some of the terms listed here may be state specific.

10. Signatures

All partners must sign each interagency MOU.

11. Appendices

Many interagency memoranda of understanding contain appendices with items such as: 

• Relevant policies and procedures
• Collaborative processes
• Joint professional development
• Documents to support the work
• Lists of partners, agencies, or supporting organizations