OJJ identified a critical area in which better communication between the field services and facility staffs would allow them to coordinate their efforts in providing more effective services for youths. Historically, OJJ's Community and Field Services Program (probation and parole) has operated independent of Facility Services (secure care). OJJ, with assistance from national partners, reviewed the processes by which youths entered and progressed through the system. Facility and field personnel cooperated in designing new procedures that encourage collaboration. The priorities were based in three main principles; first, provide consistent staff presence for the youths from entrance to exit from the system; second, establish and maintain regular communication between probation and facility services; and third, increase family involvement. The agency's core team developed the service coordination model and curriculum based on these three principles. The goal of service coordination is to provide every youth with a continuum of care. The service coordination model was fully implemented statewide in June 2009, it is the first of its kind in the Nation. Providing staff with procedures that facilitate communication is vital to creating a successful agency. Both field services and facilities staff embraced change as they became more informed about individual youths and agency processes. A youth meets his/her probation officer shortly after entering the system, whether through field or facility services. The probation officer establishes a relationship with the youth and his/her family, provides consistency, and remains the point of contact with the youth throughout his/her stay in the OJJ system.