| Wraparound
Approach |
What
is Wraparound?
Wraparound is a philosophy of care that is based on the strengths
of the child/youth and family. It is a process designed to coordinate
and organize the delivery of services to children and youth
with serious emotional and behavioral disorders.
The aim of Wraparound is to enable these children to maximize
their potential to lead socially included lives and to empower
them to be independent, fulfilled, law-abiding and constructive.
It is family-centered, needs-driven, individualized , culturally
and linguistically appropriate.
The Wraparound approach is based on the following principles:
• Strength-based: Focus is on assets rather than deficits.
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.
• Unconditional care: Services are changed to meet the
changing needs of the child and family.
• Normalization: Plans are focused on what is normal
within the family, community and culture.
• Owned by the parent or legal guardian: The parent/guardian
is an integral part of the team and has ownership of the plan.
• Individualized: Services are created to meet the unique
needs of the child and family through the Child and Family
Team meetings
• Needs-driven: Services are not based on a pre-set
"menu" of what is available. Services are a combination
of existing or modified services, newly created services,
informal supports and community resources.
• Community-based: Services are provided in the community
as much as possible.
• Culturally competent: Services are tailored to the
unique values and cultural needs of the child, family and
culture that the family identifies with.
• Comprehensive: Planning and services are comprehensive,
addressing needs across all life domains. These life domains
are: family, living situation, educational/vocational, social/
recreational, psychological/emotional, medical, legal, and
safety/crisis.
• Crisis plan: Each family develops a crisis plan with
their team.
• Outcome measures: These are identified and the plan
is evaluated and modified systematically and often.
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Frequently Used Terms
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