Formal and Informal Interaction Between Area Agencies on Aging and Departments of Social Services

This paper examines the forms of formal and informal interagency agreements and administrative/staff interaction between four Area Agencies on Aging and Departments of Social Services as they serve older people. We found several factors that appear to influence whether relationships are more or less formal: (a) service system characteristics, (b) division of service responsibilities and tasks, (c) interpersonal dimensions, (d) perceptions and attitudes of staff/administrators toward formal and informal agreements and interaction, and (e) historical occurrences. Discussion focuses on how to examine and build on the existing balance between formal and informal interagency interaction for more effective service delivery and planning.