The first chapter provides an overview of collaboration, including definitions and keys to success for anyone involved in them. Collaboration is defined as the "process by which several agencies or organizations make a formal, sustained commitment to work together to accomplish a common mission." The second chapter focuses on starting a collaboration and is intended as a primer for individuals who are new to the collaboration process. In discussing the building of the collaboration, the reader is introduced to the myriad options available for collaborations and keys to expanding new collaborations. In a discussion of the maintenance of the momentum in the collaboration in chapter four, the manual provides help for individuals in existing collaborations and focuses on trouble-shooting and keeping the collaboration energized after the initial formation period. A chapter on youth involvement in collaborations provides information on how to work effectively with youths and explores four options for involving youths in community collaborations. These are youths as representatives to primarily adult collaborations, youth as an advisory committee to an adult collaboration, combined youth/adult collaborations, and independent youth collaborations. Remaining chapters discuss business involvement in collaboration and the role of the media in contemporary collaborations. Appendixes contain resource materials on such topics as youth participation, model bylaws, characteristics of a good chairperson or coordinator, setting measurable objectives, and program evaluation.