Wraparound in
Tarrant County
Family Voice and Choice
Family and youth/child perspectives are intentionally
elicited and prioritized during all phases of the
wraparound process. Planning is grounded in family
members’ perspectives, and the team strives to provide
options and choices such that the plan reflects family
values and preferences.
(My facilitator) “would research and she told
me as much as she could about our program.
She let me make the decisions on what I really
wanted to work on, and we stuck with (it). She
would always call and make sure we were OK.”
“At one point … we decided against (having
him) on medication…. Then she showed us a
lot of different games that you can play to
help him focus. She let us know of a lot of
different things that were available.”
Team Based
The wraparound team consists of individuals
agreed upon by the family and committed to
them through informal, formal, and
community support and service relationships.
“We talked about who should be on that
team. Even one of his teachers would show up
every meeting.”
Natural Supports
The team actively seeks out and encourages the full
participation of team members drawn from family
members’ networks of interpersonal and community
relationships. The wraparound plan reflects activities and
interventions that draw on sources of natural support.
(To build our team) “I asked my pastor … (who
has) … always (been) counseling them about
one thing or another … since I’ve had them….
It was just something that he did on a regular
basis, and his wife would also be involved.”
Collaboration
Team members work cooperatively and share
responsibility for developing, implementing,
monitoring, and evaluating a single wraparound
plan. The plan reflects a blending of team
members’ perspectives, mandates, and resources.
The plan guides and coordinates each team
member’s work towards meeting the team’s
goals.
Even one of his teachers would show up (at)
every (wraparound) meeting (along with)
outside people. We are a very functioning
church, and my mother and people that had a
play in his life all the time (were on the
team).”
Community Based
The wraparound team implements service and
support strategies that take place in the most
inclusive, most responsive, most accessible, and
least restrictive settings possible; and that safely
promote child and family integration into home
and community life.
“Without this program, children might not
reach the goals that they know they can … I
know as a parent, I didn’t see my kid going
anywhere except juvenile hall, and now he’s in
high school. I didn’t see that at all, and I’m
really proud of him.”
Culturally Competent
The wraparound process demonstrates respect
for and builds on the values, preferences, beliefs,
culture, and identity of the child/youth and family,
and their community.
“All families don’t need the same thing. You
know, it’s like eating. I mean, I may not like
cornbread, but another family would."
Individualized
To achieve the goals laid out in the wraparound
plan, the team develops and implements a
customized set of strategies, supports, and
services.
“One time (our facilitator) came…right on to
church (with us) … I mean, just like one of us.
When she would come over here, she would
sit right on the floor. The boys would be right
there, just lapping every bit of it up, and I said,
“You can sit up here.” She said, “No, it’s O.K.
I’m gonna sit right here with them on the
floor.”
Strengths Based
The wraparound process and the wraparound
plan identify, build on, and enhance the
capabilities, knowledge, skills, and assets of the
child and family, their community, and other team
members.
(My facilitator) “was very proud of me. She
said I was strong in some of the stuff that I
had been through.”
“We still reward good behavior. We don’t
concentrate on the negative…. We don’t
concentrate so much on the negative and
concentrate on the things that he does good.”
Persistence
Despite challenges, the team persists in working
toward the goals included in the wraparound plan
until the team reaches agreement that a formal
wraparound process is no longer required.
“I would like to continue, but I know that we
all need to grow and sometimes have to grow
on your own. But I didn’t want to stop
because I had such a good experience with it.”
Outcome Based
The team ties the goals and strategies of the
wraparound plan to observable or measurable
indicators of success, monitors progress in terms
of these indicators, and revises the plan
accordingly.
“I got it now, how to control him, make him be
still, sit down and listen, time outs. My
facilitator taught me all that you (need to)
know … to do it.”
“I can get out and go places. I used to couldn’t
go places by myself cause at school, they call
me to come and get him or this and that, he’s
not acting right or something. I can go in a
different room without worrying about what
he’s doing in his room. He’s sitting down
watching TV or playing with his little cars or
something, and I can spend time by myself.”
For more information:
Kay Barkin
Hand in Hand
817-569-5326
Kay.barkin@mhmrtc.org