What is High Fidelity Wraparound?
Wraparound is a team process that works to improve the troubled and complex areas of life for children with severe mental health challenges, as well as those of their families. It uses a family’s individual and collective strengths to get their needs met and enhance their belief that they can create a successful future. Wraparound’s focus isn’t to "fix" what is wrong. Rather, this process is team-driven and all team members work off one plan to support a family in realizing its vision of success and safety.
Here’s what people have to say about Wraparound . . . .
“Wraparound helped me leave the group home and go back to a regular school. I never thought I’d do it, but my Wraparound team wanted me to succeed and didn’t give up on me. I’m really happy with myself and don’t think I’ll go to a group home again. Things are different this time.”
― Alex, age 14
“Using the Wraparound process helped us get control of our lives again. We had so many providers in and out of our home, were being pulled in a dozen different directions, and no one was listening to us. The team approach was a perfect way to get everyone on the same page and working together. Our plan finally fits our family!”
― Jim, grandfather of Mark, age 10
“In the Wraparound program, your team doesn’t just tell you what to do. Instead, it helps you do what you need to do. Your team helps your family work together and if you’re willing to do your part, your family may not be perfect, but can be a real family.”
― Derrick, age 12
“Before Wraparound, I felt so alone. My son was struggling and I didn’t know how to help him. He wasn’t in school, was getting in trouble with the police, and didn’t seem to care about what happened to him. It looked like it was only a matter of time before he’d end up in jail or a group home. Our Wraparound team gave my family the support and encouragement we needed to make important changes. I felt optimistic about things for the first time in a long time. The team introduced so many new ideas into our lives, and we thought about things until we found the best way for our family. I learned a lot.”
― Patty, mother of Tony, age 16
“The Wraparound process really encourages families and providers to work as a team and talk openly about what everyone needs to be successful. I’ve found that going to Wraparound family team meetings is a good use of my time: everyone that my client sees as important to her is there, and I leave those meetings knowing exactly what I need to do to help her stay safe and out of crisis.”
― Casey, DHHS case worker
* Information has been altered to protect commentator’s identities.
Is my child eligible for High Fidelity Wraparound at YI?
Wraparound is about keeping kids in their communities and helping families find sustainable ways to get their needs addressed through the power of team work. The process is designed to assist the families of children with complex mental health needs and multiple systems involved in their lives, with the underlying objective being to reduce the risk of the child having to access a residential treatment facility. Wraparound clients must meet the following criteria:
- Reside in Cumberland County;
- Have a DSM IV Axis I diagnosis or a clearly documented severe emotional or behavioral problem;
- Be between 5 and 18 years old;
- If between 18 and 21 years old, have a DHHS V-9 Agreement or be involved with DHHS’s CBHS office, or qualify for special education services under Department of Education IDEA guidelines;
- Have functioning difficulties in 2 or more of the following life areas: Home, School, Community.
- Have 2 or more of the following systems currently involved:
- Special Education services;
- DHHS Children’s Behavioral Health Services (CBHS);
- DHHS Child Welfare;
- Community Mental Health Services, such as children’s targeted case management, outpatient therapy, habilitation services (Section 28), intensive home-based treatment (Section 65 HCT services, MST, or FFT), psychiatry, or a children’s ACT team, or;
- DOC Juvenile Justice (conditions of release, probation, or commitment).
- Currently reside in a residential treatment facility, or be at immediate high risk for placement in a residential treatment facility.
How do I make a referral?
Referrals are taken by our Central Intake Department. Please call 207-523-5049 to complete a referral.
If you have questions about the Wraparound Maine process in Cumberland County before making a referral, please contact our Mobilization Specialist, Jessica Moninski, at 207-766-1357, or at