This investigation examined the prevalence of collaborative community endeavors in California and Washington that addressed the well-being of children and families, and the nature, quality, and usefulness of the training and technical assistance (T/TA) to members of collaborative community endeavors. Collaborative community endeavors were classified as involving communication, coordination, or full collaboration. T/TA provisions were classified as initiating collaboration, developing collaborative group structures and processes, developing interpersonal knowledge and skills, developing multi-organizational operations and structures, or evaluating collaboration. Data were collected through extensive telephone interviews or questionnaires with one member each from a sample of 39 collaborative endeavors in California and 12 in Washington. Responses identified over 700 local collaborative community endeavors in California and Washington. Statewide and local legislative initiatives and foundations provided the most support for these efforts. Collaborative endeavors tended to become fully collaborative within 3 years if they were going to do so. There were many professionals from various settings providing T/TA. Ninety-two percent of endeavors had received at least some assistance. The majority of T/TA was of good quality. However, some findings brought into question whether T/TA was as effective as possible in helping collaborative community endeavors develop their potential. Systematic efforts were seldom used to identify assistance needs of collaborative endeavors. Many providers had a fairly limited knowledge of the various types of assistance that collaborative endeavors might need. Funders tended to provide T/TA at the beginning of collaborative endeavors but not consistently after that. Based on findings, recommendations were made for researchers, for T/TA providers, and for funders. (Contains 31 references.) (KB)