2.8: Formalizing the Partnership

This section applies specifically to organizations that will be delivering the Powerhouse® program in partnership with YCA. Referral partners and other community connections do not typically require this level of formal agreement. Once a program delivery partner is ready to move forward, there are three important areas to address: the partnership agreement, confidentiality, and resources.

Partnership Agreement

For Powerhouse® program delivery partnerships, YCA uses a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to outline how the partnership will work. The MOU helps clarify expectations related to program delivery, training, roles and responsibilities, communication, and other requirements for implementation. The MOU is a customizable template that can be adapted to reflect the needs and responsibilities of the partnership.

Protecting Confidentiality

Protecting family information is important from the beginning of the partnership. Confidentiality should be addressed at two levels:

• Between organizations: The MOU outlines how information shared between partners will be handled and protected.
• With families: The registration process clearly explains when information may be shared between the participating organizations so families understand and consent to the arrangement. Please refer to Lesson 3 for more details on registration and client confidentiality.

Transparent Resource Allocation

Before programming begins, discuss what each organization can realistically contribute, including:

• Staff and volunteer time.
• Program space.
• Supplies and materials.
• Program funding or budget.

Contributions do not need to be equal. For example, one organization may provide staff and space while another contributes program materials or funding. What matters is that responsibilities are discussed upfront and reflected in the partnership agreement.