This study was conducted to examine the relationship between state agencies and higher education in planning for the personnel components of Part H of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The study used a qualitative research design, involving five states, to examine the process of developing and maintaining working relationships between state agencies and higher education and to uncover strategies for successful cooperation. The study found that collaborative planning action was relative to a number of common issues, including the procedural challenges of certification and access to resources of time, expertise, and funding. Efforts were facilitated by experienced leadership, early collaborative events, a planning structure that drew upon representation from invested parties, and procedures to formally delineate duties for cooperative planning and implementation efforts. Policy recommendations include: (1) states should form a consortium of state agency, higher education, and professional organization representatives to address statewide planning for special education; (2) states should provide higher education with financial incentives to increase personnel preparation programs; and (3) a procedure should be established to develop a semiformal link between state agencies and higher education in terms of needs and mutual goals on collaborative projects. The interview questionnaire is provided in an appendix. (12 references) (JDD)