FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT WRAPAROUND

A Reference for Wraparound Facilitators and Teams

 Who qualifies for Wraparound?

Families with complex needs who are involved with multi agencies. Wraparound started in the Children’s Mental Health realm but has spread to other areas. It is always a voluntary process.

 What does the Wraparound Plan look like?

The “Wrap Plan” can be derived from an agency case plan or treatment plan with measurable goals. If there is no agency plan, the Wraparound Plan of Care can be used. Goals can be written using Life Domains if desired. There should be a Strengths Assessment and Crisis Plan included in the Wraparound Plan.

 What paperwork needs to be completed?

The Wraparound Plan, along with a Crisis Plan and Strengths Assessment; Wrap Expenditure forms as needed; notes from meetings, releases, proof that meetings occurred (sign-in forms if nothing else).

 How can the legal system and mandates be part of the process?

Try to empower families within the legal parameters (“bottom lines”) you have to work with. Find creative ways to give them voice and choice within these boundaries (for example, if visits with children are court-ordered to be supervised, ask parents what they would need to make those visits most successful).

 How do you empower parents?

Be intentional.  Have them speak first and last at meetings, summarizing their perspectives, etc. Treat everyone as equal participants with something to give. Look for what they have to offer to their family, the team, and their community. Recognize and celebrate successes and improvements, no matter how small.

Recognize and celebrate successes and improvements, no matter how small.

 What do you do when NOBODY knows what to do?

Instill a sense of hope; you’re not going to give up. Look back at any clinical recommendations or legal mandates and see how informal supports can help carry them out. Go back to the mission statement and the goals in the plan; do goals need to be revised? One empowering thing to try: find out what the youth (or family) does well, and have someone find a way for the youth to use that skill to help others.

 Is there accountability in the process?

The Wrap Team should provide both support and accountability. The team needs to be true to the philosophy and process of Wraparound. PACT 4 uses the Satisfaction Survey and Progress Tool to measure this. There should also be an auditing process in place.

 How can we be strength-based if parents have been abusive or neglectful to their kids?

Obviously do what needs to be done to keep kids safe. But throughout the process try not to be another negative force in families’ lives; try to be a positive agent of change by helping to identify unmet needs and communicate respect. 

 How can team members get past negative perceptions of other members?

Develop the mindset of looking for what each person has to offer to attain the goals of the Wrap Team. Realize that there is always more to learn about why people do what they do (or don’t do) and focus on how we can empower families.  Self-awareness is needed; identify personal perceptions.

 How do you know when to end the process?

Have we met the goals in the plan? Have we been true to our overall mission statement? Teams disband when the goals are met and/or the family wants to quit the process. A Transition Plan should be in place, listing informal supports and including a Crisis Plan. A plan for reconvening if necessary should also be part of the Transition Plan. Then, celebrate success!