Every two years the McKean County Collaborative Board rates itself in several areas of collaboration. A tool called the Collaborative Board Assessment tool (CAT) is utilized for this assessment. The CAT tool was developed for Collaborative Boards by the Center for Schools and Communities, in conjunction with the Department of Welfare, Office of Children, Youth and Families.
The CAT is scaled from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest score. Scores represent progress in the areas of system change—1 is minimal progress, 2 is some, 3 is moderate, 4 is major and 5 is exceptional. Overall, the Board’s perception of itself is quite positive. In 2009, one area showing exceptional progress was Professional Development and Training, and Accountability for Results was one of the strongest areas. Two weaker areas were identified and need more focus in the future. They were Governance and Leadership and Public Support/Will and Communications.
| Area of Collaboration | 2001 | 2003 | 2005 | 2007 | 2009 |
| Governance and Leadership | 3.6 | 3.7 | 4.7 | - | 3.3 |
| Public Support/Will and Communications | 3.1 | 2.0 | 3.8 | - | 3.3 |
| Accountability for Results | 4.0 | 4.7 | 5.0 | - | 4.8 |
| Service Strategies and Capacity Building | 3.7 | 3.8 | 5.0 | - | 4.2 |
| Financing and Resource Development | 3.8 | 4.5 | 4.9 | - | 4.0 |
| Professional Development and Training | 3.1 | 3.5 | 3.0 | - | 4.1 |
| Systems Change and Policy Reform | 3.8 | 3.5 | 4.9 | - | 3.9 |