Current Projects
WRAPAROUND
What is Wraparound SB163 and how can it be used?
Wraparound, allows the County of Tulare to provide high-risk youth and their families an alternative to group home care. Wraparound is a family-centered, strength-based, needs-driven philosophy that is designed to promote reestablishment of at-risk youth and families into community support systems. Children’s Wraparound is seen as both an effective mechanism for addressing the immediate needs of high-risk youth and their families and as an impetus for improving services across child-serving agencies.
The goal of Children’s Wraparound is to create better outcomes for young people and their families by assuring families are at the center of the decision-making process. This plan is consistent with values of the community, the strength-based, family-centered, needs-driven strategies for restructuring foster care as defined by the Family-to-Family Initiative and the development of a children’s system of care.
Wraparound Community Team
This group will consist of members from the Children’s Steering Committee. The function of this team will be to provide guidance and oversight of the Contracted Lead Agency’s program in regards to compliance with the Wraparound/SB 163 standards for strength-based service delivery, allocation of staff time and flexible funding. They will also be responsible for spreading the Wraparound philosophy throughout the community.
This committee gives final approval of Safety and Crisis Plans and Child and Family Plans. They will assess family plans at a minimum of every six months for appropriateness, review operations, address problem-solving issues, etc. They will also encourage the utilization of family partners and the development of a mentoring system for incoming families; promote child and family team’s development; and address complaints and grievances. Additionally, they will work to develop appropriate interagency procedures to ensure compliance with the principles and best practices of Wraparound, collect data, and oversee performance outcomes.
On an as-needed basis, they will invite specialists from the community to attend meetings regarding family plans.
How do you refer to Wraparound?
Referrals for Wraparound shall be made to RISC by Tulare County Probation Department, CWS, and Mental Health. RISC will evaluate all referrals for appropriateness. Youth who are currently in RCL 12-14 placement, awaiting placement in a higher level or in Juvenile Hall will be given priority for Wraparound. Prior to referral for Wraparound, youth and family members/potential caretakers must be consulted, informed about the possibility of participating in services, and committed to fully participating in Wraparound should they be selected. Once the referral has been selected to receive one of the Wraparound slots they will be referred to the CLA who will then assign a facilitator who will work with the child and family to create a child and family team (CFT) to provide the Wraparound planning process for the family.
What is the status of Wraparound SB163?
The Tulare Co Plan has been approved by CDSS. We are in the process of seeking out private, non-profit agencies interested in providing the human resources, information systems, outcome measurements, physical plant, and provider networking and training systems necessary to serve as the Contracted Lead Agency (CLA). This is being done through the Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Publishing date of 03/7/07.
The CLA will employ facilitators who will coordinate the Child and Child and family teams providing family-centered, strength-based, and planning process for Wraparound. This agency will also provide the associated management and support staff for outcome measurement, training, community development, parent advocacy, and support.
In the first year and thereafter whenever necessary, the CLA, in partnership with the county, will conduct training for county staff or other team staff on Wraparound. CLA staff will also receive guidance from the County and other Team staff regarding their mandates and appropriate communication systems.