The wraparound services model for behavioral health care has been around since the 1980s.
Since then, it’s become more widely adopted. Nearly two-thirds of states currently provide centralized oversight for wraparound programs, and it’s estimated that more than 100,000 youths receive wraparound services annually.
Yet despite its growing popularity, the need for wraparound and intensive case management services continues to increase. Fifteen million children and adolescents in the U.S. have a diagnosable mental health disorder, and roughly half experience serious emotional disturbances (SED), which impair their overall functioning. The wraparound model aims to support these children and adolescents experiencing severe behavioral health conditions by leveraging each client’s unique strengths and natural supports in their community with individualized care planning.
But how effective are wraparound services? Is the investment in this time-intensive care model paying off for communities?
The data suggests that while this model may require more resources and intensive care coordination, high-fidelity wraparound services are highly effective. This article will summarize fundamental research studies that have reviewed the efficacy of wraparound over the years.