Abstract
This study examined the collaborative efforts between mental health, alcohol and drug agencies and child protective services (CPS) in Sacramento County when servicing mothers with dual diagnosis who also have open CPS cases. The study sample consisted of 25 professionals employed in Children's Protective Services. Data was collected using an online survey instrument that was developed by the researchers taking into account the major areas of collaboration needed. The results of this project identified the lack of effective coordination due to large caseloads, absence of continuous communication between the professionals of different agencies involved in servicing dually diagnosed mothers and inadequate training both during their educational preparation and after assuming their professional roles. The different phases of this study were conceived and implemented jointly by these researchers.