Wraparound

Group Name: 
PTPH
Nancy Anderson
Faculty, The Evergreen State College
Protecting and healing the most vulnerable
Problem: 

Youth who develop the severe behavioral problems may endanger their own safety and that of their families. Traditional therapy can and frequently does fail these young people, who are at risk of losing home and community connection.

Context: 

Wraparound is a longitudinal process, invoking the connection between an entire network of professional and personal supports and a youth with severe behavioral and emotional problems. The wraparound process requires the involvement of professionals, but equally important, family members, friends, teachers, coaches, and other members of the youth’s social network. The services, including the development of a comprehensive care plan, take place in the youth's natural environment, whether school, home, or football field. The wraparound team reviews progress on a regular basis, measuring success in a variety of ways, including family function, academic success, and avoidance of the juvenile justice system.

Discussion: 

This approach surrounds a vulnerable individual with 360 degrees of professional and social support, instead of exclusion, institutionalization, or incarceration. The wraparound process is resource intensive, but the whole cost of this pattern is significantly less than the exclusionary alternatives. Although it is currently only applied to youth, the wraparound process has potential to be helpful for others who are severely ill, or at risk of losing their health and wellbeing, including isolated seniors or mothers of young children.

Solution: 

With a goal of making it possible for an at-risk youth to remain in their homes and communities, wraparound has succeeded in many cases where a more traditional approach has failed, allowing the wounded/damaged youth to heal under the influence of a protective network, and to develop the strong and positive relationships that they need to become healthy and engaged adults.

Reference: 
http://depts.washington.edu/wrapeval/approach.html
Verbiage for pattern card: 

Youth who develop the severe behavioral problems may endanger their own safety and that of their families. Traditional individual therapy can and frequently does fail these young people, who are at risk of losing home and community connection. Wraparound is a longitudinal process, invoking the connection between an entire network of professional and personal supports and a youth with severe behavioral and emotional problems. The goal is to make it possible for a youth at risk of losing their home or being incarcerated to remain in their homes and communities, developing the strong and positive relationships that they need to become healthy and engaged adults. Wraparound has succeeded in many cases where a more traditional approach has failed, allowing the wounded/damaged youth to heal under the influence of a protective network.

The wraparound team includes professionals, but equally important, family members, friends, teachers, coaches, and other members of the youth’s social network. The team develops a collaborative care plan, and reviews progress of the youth on a regular basis, measuring success in a variety of ways, including family function, academic success, and avoidance of the juvenile justice system.

This approach surrounds a vulnerable individual with 360 degrees of professional and social support, instead of exclusion, institutionalization, or incarceration. The wraparound process is resource intensive, but the whole cost of this pattern is significantly less than the exclusionary alternatives. Although it is currently only applied to youth, the wraparound process has potential to be helpful for others who are severely ill, or at risk of losing their health and wellbeing, including isolated seniors or mothers of young children.

Information about introductory graphic: 
© Taurus Burns from paintdetroit.com downloaded 3/2/10
Information about summary graphic: 

Taurus Burns is an artist based in Detroit, Michigan. His work focuses on urban life, both landscapes and portraits of humanity.