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Wraparound
Philosophy, Process, and Concepts
The State of Illinois has adopted the Wraparound process and concepts as a way to strengthen the system of care for youth and families. Wraparound is a dynamic process with core elements, not a program or service. This process is based on individualized, strength based, needs-driven planning and service delivery. Wraparound is not something that you "get", it's something you "do"; it's a process, not a program. These fundamental principles merge with a "never give up" philosophy that embodies an unconditional commitment to team development, family empowerment and outcome based interventions. Many times children and their families have needs that cross agency boundaries. Therefore, interagency cooperation is an integral part of the Wraparound planning process. It is essential that all services are developed cooperatively and are coordinated in a Child and Family Team. The team shares responsibility, expertise, and mutual support while designing creative services that meet an individual's strengths and needs across home, school and community. A Wraparound Plan is continually reviewed and modified based on the child and family's developing strengths and evolving needs. Wraparound interventions are flexible because the approach is multi-faceted, taking all aspects of the child's history and current life situation into account. The ultimate goal in Wraparound is for the child to live an independent, fulfilling, law-abiding and constructive life in the community with minimal special supports. The most challenging aspect of Wraparound planning is to design plans that are comprehensive and therefore effective. Team members strive to accomplish this by moving beyond conventional thinking to use their resources to support the child and family. The wraparound model is based on individualized, needs driven planning and services. It is not a program or a type of service. It is a value base and an unconditional commitment to create services on a "one kid at a time" basis to support normalized and inclusive options for youth with complex needs and their families. An individualized plan is developed by a Child and Family Team, the people who know the child best. This plan is needs driven rather than service driven. Services are not based on a categorical model. This plan is family centered rather than child centered. The parent is an integral part of the team and has ownership of the plan. The plan is strengths based. Human services have traditionally relied on the deficit model, focusing on pathology. Positive reframing to assets and skills is a key component of all wraparound planning. The plan is focused on normalization. Normalized needs are those basic human needs that all persons (of like, age, sex, culture) have. The team makes a commitment to unconditional care. Services are changed to meet the needs of the family. Services are created to meet the unique needs of the child and family. Though many wraparound plans rely on blending and reshaping categorical services, teams have the capacity to create individualized services. Services are community-based. Restrictive care is accessed only for brief periods of stabilization. Services are culturally competent. The composition of the team assures a fit to the family's culture and community. Planning and services are comprehensive, addressing needs in three or more life domain areas. These life domains are: family, living situation, educational/vocational, social/ recreational, psychological/emotional, medical, legal, and safety/crisis. The plan is financially supported by flexible use of existing categorical dollars or through a flexible funding mechanism. Outcome measures are identified and measured often. |
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