The primary providers of services to Texas children with emotional/behavioral issues are local juvenile probation departments, Texas Youth Commission, Department of Family and Protective Services, local Mental Health Authorities, and school districts. These agencies currently face a variety of issues that impede their ability to deliver effective services. Responses to these issues have included narrowing eligibility criteria and imposing limits on the number of clients served at one time. Unfortunately, many of the individuals who need assistance are unable to access services and eventually find themselves in other less appropriate systems, such as foster care and juvenile justice. This is especially true for rural areas, which often lack the resources found in urban counties. Many believe the solution involves closing the “gaps” in services through interorganizational relationships. However, cooperative efforts require a substantial amount of commitment, time, effort and resources. More often than not, this is a difficult endeavor, especially given the barriers to rural service delivery, funding issues, and state level issues. Concept Mapping was employed to identify and assess the impact of factors that affect service providers’ ability to engage in interorganizational relationships, as well as deliver services to children who are at risk of or possess emotional/behavioral issues. The primary providers of services to Texas children with emotional/behavioral issues are local juvenile probation departments, Texas Youth Commission, Department of Family and Protective Services, local Mental Health Authorities, and school districts. These agencies currently face a variety of issues that impede their ability to deliver effective services. Responses to these issues have included narrowing eligibility criteria and imposing limits on the number of clients served at one time. Unfortunately, many of the individuals who need assistance are unable to access services and eventually find themselves in other less appropriate systems, such as foster care and juvenile justice. This is especially true for rural areas, which often lack the resources found in urban counties. Many believe the solution involves closing the “gaps” in services through interorganizational relationships. However, cooperative efforts require a substantial amount of commitment, time, effort and resources. More often than not, this is a difficult endeavor, especially given the barriers to rural service delivery, funding issues, and state level issues. Concept Mapping was employed to identify and assess the impact of factors that affect service providers’ ability to engage in interorganizational relationships, as well as deliver services to children who are at risk of or possess emotional/behavioral issues. / text

The September 11 terrorist attacks pointed out the lack of information sharing between law enforcement agencies as a potential threat to sound law enforcement in the United States. Therefore, many law enforcement agencies as well as the federal government have been initiating information sharing systems among law enforcement agencies to eradicate the information sharing problem. One of the systems established by Homeland Security is the North Central Texas Fusion Center (NCTFC). This study evaluates the NCTFC by utilizing user acceptance methodology. The unified theory of acceptance and the use of technology is used as a theoretical framework for this study. Within the study, user acceptance literature is examined and various models and theories are discussed. Furthermore, a brief information regarding the intelligence work done by law enforcement agencies are explained. In addition to the NCTFC, several major law enforcement information systems are introduced. The data for this study comes from the users of the NCTFC across the north central Texas region. Surveys and interviews are used to triangulate data. It is found in this study that performance expectancy and effort expectancy are important indicators of system use. Furthermore, outreach and needs assessment are important factors in establishing systems. The results of the study offer valuable input for NCTFC administrators, law enforcement officials, and future researchers.