In an effort to reduce duplication of educational services and improve career opportunities, the East Central Illinois Community College Consortium (ECICCC) was created to provide cooperative allied health education programs. Four institutions, Danville Junior College, Lake Land College, Parkland College, and Richland Community College, participated in designing the consortium, prioritizing potential program areas, developing research instruments and methods, and conducting area needs assessments. A Dietetic Technical Program (food service management option) was selected as the first program to be implemented and an Instructional Coordinator was employed to develop the curricular structure for the program and proceed with implementation. This report presents an overview and definitions of the consortium concept, the historical background concerning the development of ECICCC, and describes the administrative decision-making processes which characterized the consortium. The report concludes with a discussion of the strengths of the consortium and also potential problem areas which must be overcome to insure its successful operation. (DR)