GAO-06-15 Results-Oriented Government: Practices That Can Help Enhance and Sustain Collaboration among Federal Agencies

Changes in the climate attributable to increased concentrations of greenhouse gases may have significant impacts in the U.S. and the world. Greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere will continue altering the climate system into the future, regardless of emissions control efforts. Therefore, adaptation -- defined as adjustments to natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climate change -- is an important part of the response to climate change. This report examined: what actions federal, state, local, and international authorities are taking to adapt to a changing climate, and the challenges they face in their efforts to adapt; and actions that Congress and fed. agencies could take to help address these challenges. Charts and tables.

This is a print on demand edition of a hard to find publication. Executive Order (EO) 13166 directs each federal agency to improve access to federal programs and services for persons with limited English proficiency (LEP). Agencies are required to develop recipient guidance and/or an LEP plan outlining steps for ensuring that LEP persons can access federal services and programs. This report: (1) determined which agencies have completed their recipient guidance and LEP plan; (2) assessed the extent to which the selected agencies have implemented the EO, and (3) examined three selected agencies' efforts to enhance collaboration. The report selected the IRS, FEMA, and SBA for this review because of the amount and significance of their interaction with LEP persons. Charts and tables.

Fed. disability programs remained grounded in outmoded concepts that have not been updated to reflect the current state of science, medicine, technology, and labor market conditions. In addition, the Social Security Admin. (SSA) and the Dept. of Vet. Affairs (VA) faced mgmt. challenges, esp. with their disability claims processing. Further, disability experts have expressed concerns about the level of coordination among the many fed. agencies that provide benefits and services to individuals with disabilities. This report determines: what steps SSA and VA have taken to modernize their disability programs; and to what extent SSA and VA coordinate with other fed. agencies that provide services to individuals with disabilities. Includes recomm. Illus.

While national security activities, which range from planning for an influenza pandemic to Iraq reconstruction, require collaboration among multiple agencies, the mechanisms used for such activities may not provide the means for interagency collaboration needed to meet modern national security challenges. This report addresses actions needed to enhance interagency collaboration for national security activities: (1) the development and implementation of overarching, integrated strategies; (2) the creation of collaborative organizations; (3) the development of a well-trained workforce; and (4) the sharing and integration of national security information across agencies. Charts and tables.