Serving clients and the community better: A mixed-methods analysis of benefits experienced when organizations collaborate in child welfare

Data from extensive qualitative interviews (n=67) and a survey instrument (n=80) are used in this study to examine the perceived benefits experienced when organizations interact in community-wide child welfare practice. Three prominent findings are organized into an evidence-informed model detailing the benefits of collaboration whereby, (a) relationships between organizations were perceived to improve client and community services, (b) network-level benefits were newly identified and distinguished separately, and (c) the benefits at the organizational level in a child welfare context were clarified. Fifteen overall benefits emerged, and findings have numerous implications, such as demonstrating a flaw in using any single measure of network performance. A model is presented to organize the results of this study, and findings are discussed for their relevance to policy, practice, and theory development, with particular emphasis on future directions for examining the complex interorganizational interactions in child welfare practice.