Description of Wraparound and Case Example with Suggested Readings

Wraparound has become a predominant tool for implementing interagency systems of care. The system of care concept was developed in the mid-1980s as a response to (a) a dearth of mental health and other services for students; (b) the fragmentation of services across mental health, education, child welfare and juvenile justice services; and (c) the history of poor outcomes for students with emotional disturbance and their families. The key idea behind the development of a system of care was a coordinated network of community-based services that is organized to meet student and family needs rather than agency needs.