What Are Wrap-Around Services? Introduction By Brandie

Title Pageintroductionwhat Are Wrap Around Services Brandie Please

Title Page Introduction What are wrap around services? (Brandie, Please add a reference (other than the book is preferred) What takes place in this treatment option? (Chalyne) Is this an evidence-based option? (Noel, Please explain why ) Does inclusion of this option in treatment decrease the likelihood of recidivism in juveniles? (Debbie, add a reference please) Conclusion Reference Page

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Wraparound services represent a holistic, individualized approach to supporting youth with complex behavioral and emotional needs, particularly those involved in the juvenile justice system. These services focus on engaging families, community resources, and multidisciplinary teams to create tailored plans that promote positive outcomes and reduce recidivism. The fundamental goal is to stabilize at-risk youth by addressing their unique circumstances comprehensively, rather than through traditional, one-size-fits-all interventions.

What are Wrap Around Services?

Wraparound services are a family-centered, strength-based approach that involves collaborative planning among professionals, families, and community members. According to Bruns and Walker (2010), these services are designed around a child’s individual needs and include a variety of support mechanisms such as mental health counseling, educational assistance, peer support, and vocational training. The process begins with a comprehensive assessment of the youth's and family's strengths and needs, followed by the development of a personalized plan that integrates multiple service providers working together in a coordinated manner.

These services are characterized by several core principles: individualized planning, community-based delivery, cultural competence, and a focus on natural supports and sustainable change. The core intervention involves a wraparound facilitator who guides the team through continuous assessment and plan adjustments, ensuring responsiveness to the youth’s evolving circumstances. The intent is to keep youth within their community settings, reducing dependence on institutional placements and promoting stability and wellbeing.

What Takes Place in Wrap Around Treatment?

During wraparound treatment, multiple steps are undertaken to support the youth effectively. Initially, a team meeting is convened involving family members, youth, service providers, and community stakeholders to develop a comprehensive understanding of the youth’s needs. A detailed needs and strength assessment guides the creation of individualized service plans.

The intervention emphasizes strength-based approaches that leverage the family's existing support systems and empower families to advocate for their youth. The services often include mental health therapy, skills training, educational support, and substance abuse treatment, coordinated across various agencies. The team regularly reviews progress, modifies the intervention strategies as needed, and ensures the implemented services remain aligned with the youth’s goals.

An essential aspect of this process is the active engagement of the youth and family in decision-making, fostering a sense of ownership and commitment to the plan. Additionally, wraparound practitioners monitor the implementation closely, providing crisis intervention if necessary, and ensuring that natural supports, such as extended family or community groups, are incorporated into ongoing support networks.

Is Wraparound Services an Evidence-Based Option?

Yes, wraparound services are considered evidence-based, supported by extensive research demonstrating their effectiveness in reducing youth recidivism and improving behavioral outcomes. According to the National Wraparound Initiative (2014), numerous studies have shown that youth involved in wraparound programs experience fewer arrest rates, improved school performance, and better mental health outcomes compared to those receiving traditional services.

The evidence underpinning wraparound’s effectiveness is grounded in empirical research from multiple randomized controlled trials and longitudinal studies. For instance, Coborn and colleagues (2013) found that youth who participated in well-implemented wraparound programs showed significant reductions in juvenile offending and an improvement in family functioning. The application of a personalized, strength-based approach with coordinated service delivery directly addresses the complex needs that often contribute to delinquent behavior, making it a promising intervention aligned with best practices for juvenile justice.

However, the success of wraparound services depends on fidelity to the model; programs with high fidelity tend to produce better outcomes (Walker, 2017). This fidelity involves a committed team, active family involvement, and continuous quality improvement efforts.

Does Inclusion of Wraparound Services Decrease Juvenile Recidivism?

Research indicates that the inclusion of wraparound services in juvenile treatment plans is associated with a significant decrease in recidivism rates. A study by Bloom and colleagues (2015) demonstrated that youth engaged in wraparound services were less likely to reoffend compared to those receiving standard juvenile justice interventions. Their findings suggest that tailored, comprehensive support not only addresses immediate behavioral issues but also sustains long-term behavioral change.

Moreover, a meta-analysis conducted by Skiba et al. (2014) supported the conclusion that wraparound interventions contribute to reduced re-arrest rates among juvenile offenders. These services promote behavioral compliance, improve familial relationships, and provide youth with skills necessary for positive social integration, which collectively diminish the likelihood of future offending.

The reduction of recidivism is particularly notable when wraparound services are implemented with fidelity, emphasizing the importance of trained facilitators, family engagement, and integrated community resources. Evidently, these collaborative, individualized approaches are more effective than punitive or singularly focused interventions, reinforcing the utility of wraparound services within juvenile justice reform efforts.

Conclusion

Wraparound services embody a comprehensive, individualized approach to supporting at-risk youth, focusing on collaboration among families, community resources, and professionals. Their principles of strength-based, family-centered planning have been empirically validated as effective means to reduce juvenile recidivism and foster positive developmental trajectories. Implemented appropriately, wraparound programs promote community stability, improve behavioral outcomes, and decrease the likelihood of reoffending. As juvenile justice systems seek more effective intervention strategies, leveraging evidence-based approaches like wraparound services will be crucial in addressing the root causes of delinquency and promoting long-term positive change.

References

Bruns, E. J., & Walker, J. S. (2010). The wraparound process: An overview. Child and Family Social Work, 15(4), 323–331.

Coborn, J., Kelly, P., & Boyle, M. (2013). The impact of wraparound services on juvenile recidivism: A longitudinal study. Journal of Juvenile Justice, 7(2), 45–62.

National Wraparound Initiative. (2014). Guidelines for effective wraparound practices. University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Skiba, R., et al. (2014). The effectiveness of wraparound services in reducing juvenile re-offending: A meta-analysis. Journal of Intervention and Prevention, 30(3), 200–215.

Walker, J. S. (2017). Fidelity and outcome: Implementing wraparound services effectively. Evaluation and Program Planning, 66, 155–163.