Resources

Training and information is key to keeping abreast and up-to-date on issues related to team building and partnerships. The following is a list of some of the resources in this growing field. The materials and resources listed were selected on the basis of relevance, readability, availability, and affordability. The Head Start Bureau, Regional Offices, Training and Technical Assistance Network, and fellow grantees are also sources of information for strategies to strengthen decision-making partnerships with parents.


Materials


Child Development Resources. (1995, 1992). Skills Inventory For Teams (SIFT). Developed to assist early intervention practitioners from a variety of disciplines to evaluate their ability to work as a part of a team. Assists individual team members in identifying the skills needed to work on a team and to help the whole team identify team development needs. The SIFT includes items that reflect competencies or skills that can be observed as well as items that address the team members' values and attitudes about teamwork. Child Development Resources, P.O. Box 299, Lightfoot, VA 23090. 53 pp. The cost is $24.95.



Greene, Sue Forbess. (1983). The Encyclopedia of Icebreakers.
Pfeiffer and Company. An expandable loose-leaf guide that is a comprehensive listing of introductory activities designed to make learning and participation inviting for participants in group training activities. Activities are divided into six categories: Energizers and Tension Reducers; Feedback and Disclosure; Games and Brainteasers; Getting Acquainted; Openers and Warm-ups; and Professional Development Topics. Introduction and step-by-step instructions for the trainer is provided. Available from Pfeiffer and Company, 8517 Production Avenue, San Diego, California 92l2l-2280. 415 pp.



Institute for Educational Leadership. (1994). Preparing Collaborative Leaders: A Facilitator's Guide. A one-stop shopping experience focusing on the challenges facing collaborative projects and leaders. Divided into three parts: Getting Together; Mastering the Essentials; and Building Change. A total of IS modules in a loose-leaf notebook providing the "what" and "how" of designing and implementing a comprehensive leadership development program. A complete resource for promoting and initiating collaborative efforts in communities. Available from Institute for Educational Leadership, 1001 Connecticut Avenue, N. W., Suite 310, Washington, D.C. 20036. 73 pp. with appendices and bibliography. The cost is $95.00.

 

Nilson, Carolyn. (1993). Team Games for Trainers. A handy book of effective and enjoyable training games designed to create partnerships, enable them to function efficiently, and help individuals develop critical group skills. Each game is self-contained and includes templates, answer sheets, objectives and procedures. Games can be facilitated, by experienced or novice trainers. A valuable tool for Head Start programs. McGraw-Hill, Inc. 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020. 322 pages.



Pfeiffer and Company. (1993). Twenty-Five Activities for Teams.
A handy, easy-to-use reference for facilitators and team leaders to use in motivating staff, creating partnerships, and developing a working team. Divided into four sections that include: Leading Meetings; Empowering Participants; Aiming for Consensus; and Directing the Process and Diagnosis. Tips for leading the activities are provided as well as resource and bibliography reference sections. Available from Pfeiffer and Company, 8517 Production Avenue, San Diego, California 92121-2280. 108 pp.


Quick, Thomas L. (1992). Successful Team Building. One of the Work Smart series published by American Management Association (AMA), this resource focuses on: motivating team members; building team commitment; resolving team conflict; encouraging creativity in problem solving and decision making; and evaluating and rewarding team players. Available from AMA, 135 West 50th Street, New York, NY 10020. 97 pp.



Rees, Fran. (1991). How To Lead Work Teams: Facilitation Skills.
This publication provides a comprehensive content-focused resource that assists leaders in developing and enhancing facilitation skills. This resource is divided into three sections: Facilitating: A New Style of Leader ship; How Facilitation Works; and Facilitating Team Meetings. A short, easy-to-read reference for everyday use. Pfeiffer & Co., 8517 Production Avenue, San Diego, California 92121-2280. 102 pp.

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI). (1993). Guide to Developing Educational Partnerships. A guidebook providing practical information drawn from the experience of 30 different partnerships. These partnerships are mostly education-focused but provide valuable information on developing new relationships. The guide builds on research and evaluation data. U.S. Government of Printing Office, Superintendent of Documents, Mail Stop: SSOP, Washington, D.C. 20402-9328. 51 pp. The cost is $4.25.



U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. (1996). A Head Start Handbook of the Parent
Involvement Vision and Strategies. This handbook provides a framework that enables program members to think comprehensively about planning their parent involvement program. Part I provides the Head Start vision, values, and opportunities for parents as partners. Part II offers a broad variety of strategies that Head Start programs can use to implement the Head Start parent involvement mission. Head Start Publications Center, P.O. Box 26417, Alexandria, VA 22313-0417. 115 pp.


Organizations


Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL), 1001 Connecticut Avenue, N. W., Suite 310, Washington, D.C. 20036, (202) 822-8405. This organization is a major leader in the field of leadership training and collaboration in a variety of settings. Write and ask for their publication list.

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