Abstract
The primary objective of the Charleston Collaborative Project (CCP) was to develop and implement a clinical and cost-effective interagency collaboration that provided a single point of entry and a seamless system for providing services. The CCP successfully developed such a system with collaboration among 1 private and 3 state agencies that serve maltreated children taken into custody. Although implementation of the collaborative was not optimal, the available evidence does not support the view that the CCP was more effective than Current Services at improving child and caregiver functioning, increasing family reunification, or decreasing use of out-of-home care. When a comprehensive range of costs is considered, evidence suggests that the CCP produced modest cost savings. The lack of favorable clinical findings is consistent with treatment effectiveness literature pertaining to community-based mental health services. Policy implications are outlined.