CARS approach to technical assistance consultation is based on 25 years of experience providing TA to federal, state and local governments as well as community based agencies and organizations. Our approach incorporates the following systematic steps and capabilities.e complex, and traditional approaches or “common sense” are insufficient guides to effective action. However, research-based knowledge must be carefully translated into specific guides to policies, procedures and skills if it is to be applicable. CARS facilitates the exchange and transfer of knowledge from researchers to practitioners, policymakers, and the community through four crucial steps.

• Potential users of TA are provided with multiple points of well-publicized access to make TA requests.
• A consultation begins with a TA application that provides a thorough description of the requesting organization’s needs for assistance. Key criteria for identifying need include a clear understanding of the problem to be addressed and the current capacity for addressing it; whether the TA can be met through existing materials or will require a more customized approach; and the scope and duration of the assistance.
• A collaborative decision is made concerning on how the needs will be best met (e.g., telephone assistance, materials preparation, training workshops (on-site or on-line), on-site problem solving. On-site assistance can consist of a brief meeting with the client agency to more in-depth interactions over many months.
• Resources are organized to meet the TA need. For on-site consultation, CARS has an extensive (200 plus member) consultant list to select the most appropriate specialist. This list is continuously culled and updated based on evaluation and recruitment.

CARS provides TA consultation on a broad range of topics relevant to children and families, substance abuse prevention, other behavioral health issues, community development, community-based organization processes, strategic planning, program implementation, evaluation, and much more.