Case Studies Database

Building Consensus on Human Service Reform in Maryland

For more than a decade, Maryland state and county governments struggled to coordinate their efforts and find effective ways to deliver human services. In 2000, the state cabinet-level council convened negotiations with each county to develop outcome agreements, and budgets to achieve those outcomes. Negotiations in Wicomico County resulted in Memorandums of Understanding between the state and county. Other counties are following suit.

Maryland

State Agency

1996-2000

Funding Affordable Housing in Florida

Lack of agreement between stakeholders prevented Florida from developing an effective housing plan to address low-income housing options. However, that changed when the governor convened the Governor's Ad Hoc Working Group on Affordable Housing. The group was charged with developing state housing policy and establishing a housing partnership. With the help of a neutral facilitator, the working group reached consensus on recommendations that eventually became the framework for legislation.

Florida

State Agency

1991

Mediating Child Protective Service Cases in Texas

In response to legislation that put time limits on foster care in an attempt to streamline the process for handling child custody cases, the Texas Department of Regulatory Services initiated a pilot project to test the benefits of mediation in these cases. Six counties participated in the project and, while each used a different approach, each was successful at resolving a large number of cases. Also, by identifying key factors that contributed to program success, the pilot provided useful information for other counties as they design similar programs.

Texas

State Agency

1997-1998

Negotiating Regulations for Reallocation of Nursing Home Beds in Texas

The Texas Legislature passed a bill mandating de-certification and reallocation of medical beds in nursing homes. Because the bill was controversial, the Department of Human Services decided to use a negotiated rulemaking procedure to design regulations for implementing the bill. Relying on interest-based negotiation, the procedure brought together all sides to reach consensus on a final set of rules that were mutually agreed to by all parties.

Texas

State Agency

1997-1998