Wraparound services for children with mental health issues

Wraparound services are available at Texoma Community Center for children and adolescents with the most severe mental health issues. The Wraparound process offers a unique approach for keeping the child in his/her home while involving intensive, individualized, care management services. A team of individuals including the child, parents/guardians, mental health professionals, relatives, friends, and individuals from other social networks in the child’s life are involved in developing a plan of care, implementing the plan, and evaluating the success. Individuals involved from social networks could be a teacher, coach, pastor, youth leader, etc.

“Children who are at risk of being taken out of the home, have a history of being a danger to themselves or to others, who have already lived outside the home in some type of facility or with other family members, or have a history of behavioral problems that require institutionalization are the most likely candidates for these services. Many times the children we serve have already been in one of these situations before they come to us. My job is to compile an accurate, detailed, family history by interviewing the parents. The parents’ childhood events are included and how they were affected by each of them. Then we look at what they learned and how they got through the event. For example, the parent might identify that they learned perseverance through their own struggle with a situation during childhood. Then we take that lesson of perseverance and apply it to see how it could help with what is going on with their child in their family,” says Ben Taylor, Wraparound Facilitator.

“Once a month the family, child, and the people who have been identified to be on the team meet and develop strategies to help the family reach recovery and stay connected to community resources. All the individuals are required to adhere to a strict confidentiality commitment. The family has to own the process. The family identifies personally what they need and want. The family and other team members have to be dedicated to the process. We develop detailed plans for the family to follow. Usually the first step is to develop a crisis plan including identifying potential crisis scenarios, defining triggers for the child, and listing action steps to be taken. We also look at previous strategies and evaluate what worked and what did not. We make changes in the game plan every month if needed. I have the responsibility to facilitate and monitor the meetings,” continues Ben Taylor.

The children served by the program will also receive skills training and the TCC Family Partner will be involved with the team and be available for a resource for the parents/guardian.

Mary Taylor, Family Partner, states: “Several years ago the State of Texas made provisions to fund the Family Partner position. This partner is someone who has gone through the gamut of experiences of having a child with a disability. These purposes help me to achieve my job:

To advocate for the parents and encourage them to advocate for their child
To help the parents anticipate the transitions and changes that will come in the child’s life
To help the parents verbalize plans for their child’s future
To identify the challenges the child may be experiencing
To help parents look objectively at the growth of the child
To compile and identify community resources the parents and child may utilize
To attend the wraparound monthly meeting
To facilitate monthly or weekly one-on-one meetings with parents

“Parents with a child who has some type of challenge may want need help in many areas. There are so many stressful situations and decisions that have to be made. I can tell personal stories of how the decisions we made impacted our family. I can assist families to see other options. Sometimes a parent needs someone to listen who understands what they are experiencing,” ends Mary Taylor.

Taylor is available to work with other families receiving services through TCC who are not involved in Wraparound services. Parents and staff may request her help for the family.

Child and Adolescent services are available in Cooke County at 319 North Dixon, Gainesville-940-665-3962; Fannin,County at 1221 East 6th Street, Bonham-903-583-8583; and Grayson County, 315 West McLain Drive, Sherman-903-957-4820. A 24-hour/7 day a week crisis line is available at 1-877-277-2226.