2. Vocational Rehabilitation
3. DVR Partners
4. DVR Partners

Effective Partnering Tips

These tips are intended to assist in developing a working relationship with external partners; not all tips provided will relate to all situations but are intended to begin a relationship and foster communication.

Understand organizational structure

• Ask many questions about how things work.
• How are decisions made?
• How long does it take?
• Is there a process to follow?

Understand organizational roles

• Are you talking to the right person?
• Who is responsible?
• What is expected of the consumer?

Understand organizational goals

• What does the organization do?
• Do they have a main goal or focus?
• Is their interaction with VR just a small portion of their focus?
• Do they share the same values? Examples- Independence, economic growth/stability

Understand what similarities/differences exist

• In what ways are the organizations working towards the same goals?
• How many people do they serve?
• Do the terms used by each organization mean the same thing? Clarify.
• What kinds of people do they serve?
• What services do they provide?
• What is considered success?
• What are typical timeframes for various interactions or steps?

Reciprocate

• To be a good partner requires a back and forth explanation of how VR operates.
• Explain our mission and process to those you encounter, and how the interaction fits in to our larger goals.
• Keep your promises.
• Respect others time
• Be fair, professional and respectful.
• Don't personalize an issue
• Think about how best to serve the consumer.
• Consult if you have a problem but try to resolve issues at your level before seeking intervention from Supervision.
• Use the issue resolution process as a communication tool to resolve differences.
• Run a good, short and productive meeting.

If there is any one secret of success, it lies in the ability to get the other person’s point of view and see things from that person’s angle as well as from your own. - Henry Ford