Promoting coordinated and/or joint programs among local agencies is one strategy small, rural communities can use to cope with rapid population and economic growth. Interagency coordination is a process in which two or more organizations come together to solve a specific problem or meet a specific need. Coordination means more than just cooperation and ranges from informal information exchanges to formalized, joint relationships. Interagency coordination is particularly needed in times of rapid growth to deal with an increasing number of agencies, an increasing complexity and comprehensiveness of individual and community needs and problems, and an increasing number of special interest groups. Benefits include reducing duplication and overlap, covering gaps and oversights, minimizing conflicts, and giving smaller agencies a voice. Barriers may arise because of administrator training (to lead, not coordinate), internal agency structure, agency reputation, unequal power among agencies, or unclear goals. Initiating interagency coordination efforts can be facilitated if local organizations: identify the impacted area, key organizations, resource flow; define problems, needs, coordination structure, objectives; get commitment to the problem and to coordination; work toward a consensus; follow an action plan; and make sure agencies are notified of any benefits of their contribution. The guide concludes with 7 references. (BRR)