A pattern for developing and maintaining continuing mental health consultation with public agencies is presented. Usual models of consultation are predicted on an invitation to consult; they are time limited and problem specific. Described here is an entry pattern for consultation that is not predicted on an invitation to consult, is continuous in nature and is not necessarily problem specific. The steps toward implementation are: (1) securing sanctions to consult, (2) developing entry points, (3) eliciting problems, and (4) developing solutions. Experiences with this approach are described. (Author)