Introduction
Families facing crises in California often encounter fragmented services that fail to address their unique needs holistically. Wraparound service planning offers a comprehensive, family-centered approach designed to provide personalized support, ensuring families receive the necessary resources to navigate challenges effectively.
What is Wraparound Service Planning?
Wraparound is a collaborative, strengths-based, and needs-driven planning process that involves a team of professionals and the family working together to develop and implement an individualized plan of care. This approach focuses on the family’s unique strengths and needs, aiming to keep children and youth in their homes and communities rather than in institutional settings. (cdss.ca.gov)
Key Components of Wraparound Service Planning
- Family-Centered Approach: Engages the family as equal partners in the planning process, ensuring their voice and choice are central.
- Strengths-Based Assessment: Identifies and builds upon the family’s existing strengths and resources.
- Individualized Service Plan: Develops a tailored plan that addresses the specific needs of the child and family across various life domains.
- Community-Based Services: Utilizes local resources and support systems to provide services in the family’s natural environment.
- Team-Based Collaboration: Involves a diverse team, including family members, professionals, and community supports, working together to implement the plan.
- Holistic Support: Addresses the comprehensive needs of the family, including emotional, behavioral, educational, and social aspects.
- Enhanced Family Stability: Aims to prevent out-of-home placements by providing intensive support to families, promoting stability and permanency.
- Improved Outcomes: Studies have shown that wraparound services lead to better outcomes in terms of family functioning, child well-being, and reduced recidivism.
- Cultural Competence: Ensures services are tailored to the cultural and linguistic needs of the family, enhancing engagement and effectiveness.
- Holistic Support: Wraparound services address comprehensive family needs, including emotional, behavioral, educational, and social aspects.
- Enhanced Family Stability: Aims to prevent out-of-home placements by providing intensive support to families.
- Improved Outcomes: Studies indicate better family functioning and child well-being with wraparound services.
- Cultural Competence: Services are tailored to the cultural and linguistic needs of the family.
- County-Level Implementation: Wraparound services are administered at the county level in California, with each county developing its own programs.
- California Department of Social Services, 2023/https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/foster-care/title-iv-e-california-well-being-project/core-service-interventions
- San Bernardino County Children and Family Services, 2023/https://cfs.sbcounty.gov/wraparound2/
- Tongan Community Service Center, 2023/https://www.tccsc.org/wraparound
- Orange County Health Care Agency, 2023/https://www.ochealthinfo.com/about-hca/behavioral-health-services/more-bhs/full-service-partnerships-fsp
- Pacific Clinics, 2023/https://www.pacificclinics.org/service/success-first-early-wraparound-program/
- California Parent & Youth Helpline, 2023/https://caparentyouthhelpline.org/
Benefits of Wraparound Service Planning for Families in Crisis
Wraparound Services in California
In California, wraparound services are implemented at the county level, with each county developing its own programs and services. The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) provides support and oversight to ensure these programs align with state standards and best practices. (cdss.ca.gov)
San Bernardino County
San Bernardino County offers wraparound services through its Children and Family Services division. The program focuses on providing individualized, community-based services to children and adolescents with serious emotional and behavioral disturbances. Families can contact the Wraparound Program at (909) 388-0240 for more information. (cfs.sbcounty.gov)
Los Angeles County
In Los Angeles County, the Tongan Community Service Center (TCCSC) provides wraparound services focusing on strength-based planning to meet the needs of youth unable to live with their parents. Services are available in Service Planning Areas 1, 6, 7, and 8. For more details, contact TCCSC at (323) 753-5000. (tccsc.org)
Orange County
Orange County’s Health Care Agency offers Full Service Partnerships (FSP), including the Youthful Offender Wraparound (YOW) program, serving children and transitional age youth with serious emotional disturbances. The program operates at 1231 E. Dyer Rd., Ste. 135, Santa Ana, CA 92705, and 16580 Harbor Blvd., Unit M, Fountain Valley, CA 92708. For more information, call (714) 659-6381. (ochealthinfo.com)
Eligibility and Referral
Eligibility for wraparound services varies by county but generally includes children and youth at risk of out-of-home placement or those with complex needs requiring intensive support. Referrals can typically be made by family members, social workers, or other professionals involved with the child and family. It’s essential to contact the local county wraparound program to understand specific eligibility criteria and referral processes.
Conclusion
Wraparound service planning offers a vital, family-centered approach to supporting families in crisis across California. By focusing on the unique strengths and needs of each family, wraparound services aim to enhance stability, prevent out-of-home placements, and improve overall family well-being. Families seeking support should reach out to their local county wraparound programs to explore available resources and services tailored to their needs.