Contact the Cross-Training Project Team and begin organizing a Local Planning Team.

There is not just one model for organizing a core workgroup and encouraging broad multi-agency participation in planning for Cross-Training. Any of the major stakeholders in the substance abuse, infectious diseases, mental health or criminal justice continuum of care--local jurisdictions, State agencies, service practitioners, recovering people and their advocates--can take the lead to convene a community-based planning process. Regardless of the model used, or which agency initiates the process, the following principles are important to an effective planning process:

• Create a core workgroup

• Reach out to providers and stakeholders

• Include major players

• Seek involvement of all possible sectors

• Enthusiastically communicate the vision of the Cross-Training concept

• Assure broader awareness and buy-in to the planning process

• Tie to existing training and planning efforts

• Take time to do it right

• Use the support of the Cross-Training's facilitators

• Select accessible meeting sites and times

• Provide information for common understandings and outcomes

It is important to develop a common vision for the Cross-Training and to consider the desired outcomes with all of the key stakeholders. Who participates in the first meeting is very important in legitimizing the planning effort, maximizing buy-in, and leveraging training resources. Effective facilitators can be made available to your core planning group to help with removing barriers, dealing with divergent opinions, and negotiating priorities and next steps.