In August 1993 the Policy Exchange of the Institute for Educational Leadership held a seminar with an individual who was able to provide the perspectives of both educational practitioner and federal policy maker. Thomas Payzant, previously the superintendent of the San Diego (California) public schools, was at that time beginning his work as Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education. Seminar participants were senior Congressional and Executive Branch staff responsible for a variety of programs for children and families. Payzant's comments on the New Beginnings project in the San Diego schools outlined lessons learned about collaboration in school reform, and he discussed the implications of these lessons for federal policies. The New Beginnings Project was designed to improve services for children and families through one-stop services centers in the schools. The New Beginnings test site has operated since 1991, and it appears to be succeeding. New Beginnings considers it essential that collaborative efforts should be school-linked, but not necessarily school-governed. A number of barriers to success have been recognized, but they are being overcome through clear communication. Implications for federal programs are discussed. An appendix lists seminar participants. (SLD)