April was National Counseling Awareness Month—an opportunity to promote mental well-being and recognize professionals in the mental health field. During April and every month, we celebrate the mental health professionals at Oak Grove Center who play an integral role in rebuilding the lives of at-risk youth and their families.
The Wraparound Program: Supporting Children, Families, and Communities
The emotional and behavioral issues that our youth struggle with often affect their families and communities too. Through services like the Wraparound Program, our licensed mental health professionals have the opportunity to work directly with youth and support their families at the same time.
The Wraparound Program helps families with a child with, or at risk of, emotional and behavioral challenges. Our goal is to facilitate community-based support so their child can remain with them safely. In some cases, we assist them as they work toward family reunification.
“Wraparound services can make a huge difference in the lives of youth and their families by helping them stay together and thrive,” says Wraparound Program coordinator Tamara Trejos, LMFT.
Our Family-Centered Approach
When a family comes to the Wraparound Program, they are surrounded by support. A therapist and/or Family Facilitator, a Parent Partner, and a Behavioral specialist work with them—as well as school staff, insurance companies, referral agencies, and a family’s own support system—to create and implement an individualized treatment plan. In some cases, a therapist may also act as a Case Manager, coordinating care to ensure we provide families with well-rounded support.
“Wraparound brings together a team of people who truly care—family members, providers, and natural supports—to build a plan that meets the youth’s needs right at home,” explains Tamara. “The goal is to reduce the need for higher levels of care and help youth stay in school, out of trouble, and surrounded by the people who love them most. It also helps families navigate other systems like child welfare, mental health, juvenile justice, and education—so everyone is working together to support the youth’s success.”
Therapy is an important part of our treatment plans. Licensed therapists like Tamara conduct intensive individual and/or family therapy sessions as a way to process trauma, foster communication, and provide a safe space for healing. These sessions are conducted in a non-clinical setting, such as the family’s home, the child’s school, or a safe community location.
Therapy is an important part of our treatment plans. Licensed therapists like Tamara conduct individual and/or family therapy sessions in non-clinical settings such as the family’s home, the child’s school, or a safe location in their community. Therapy provides a supportive space for families to process trauma, foster healthy communication, and develop coping strategies.
A Family Finds Support and Peace Through the Wraparound Program
Many families come to the Wraparound Program because they want their child to remain at home – or return home – but they lack the support network or skills needed to effectively manage their child’s specialized care. Clinicians help families develop an effective support network, access much-needed resources, learn new skills for managing their child’s care, and develop a safety plan.
Recently, a family came to the Wraparound Program through a referral from their health provider. Their 10-year-old son was struggling with severe aggressive behaviors, often lashing out physically and even damaging property when he was upset. His behavior impacted the entire family: he could not safely play with his siblings, and his parents were afraid to have guests over or take their children on a family outing.
Our team helped the family work on strategies to calm his aggression, set up routines, and create a safe and structured environment. We also connected the family to other assistance to ensure they would continue to receive support after their time in the program ended.
Over time, their son’s aggression has dropped dramatically. He’s now going to school and playing with his siblings again. The whole family can enjoy outings together, attend church, have friends over – and ultimately live more peacefully.
In the Wraparound Program, our clinicians are doing more than providing families with support and resources. They are giving at-risk children and families the tools they need to build a brighter future together.