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Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs)
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a critical document in establishing coordinated efforts. An MOU is a multilateral agreement among multiple parties intended to express a common vision and line of action. MOUs represent a collective commitment among service providers, state agencies, victim serving organizations, grassroots services, courts, and other relevant agencies, to adhere to specific principles and shared responsibilities for the collaborative’s engagement. When developing a comprehensive MOU, stakeholders must specifically define the roles and responsibilities of each involved party, as well as clearly identified areas of shared responsibility. MOUs should be developed with the understanding that it is a living document, subject to changes in goals and dynamics as needed to adapt and sustain an effective collaborative.
The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) will be developing an MOU template that military-connected families partners may use. The following MOU, developed for the NCJFCJ Linking Systems Care Initiative, provides many of the components that are universal.
Click here to view the Linking Systems of Care Initiative MOU.
Additional Resources and Samples
- Referral of Juvenile Criminal Offenses on the Fort Benning Military Reservation to State Authorities. (n.d.) Memorandum of Understanding between The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia. The Fort Benning Maneuver Center of Excellence, and The District Attorney’s Office for the Chattahoochee Judicial District. Retrieved March 14, 2019
- Sullivan, M. (n.d.) On Base and Beyond: Negotiating the Military/State Agreement. Retrieved March 13, 2019
- The Department of Defense State Liaison Office (DSLO). (n.d.) Retrieved March 13, 2019