There are numerous institutional barriers to attaining substance abuse treatment that can make access and entry into a program very difficult for an individual, their family, and the agency working with the family. Agency leadership and managers will benefit from this overview on treatment partnership service agreements, also known as a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that clearly state the access to treatment services an individual will receive and the additional supports the family service program will provide in collaboration. MOU's may also be used to specify service details about assessment, professional development, and other resources that enhance the partners' abilities to meet the service and treatment needs of the individual and their family.