History of the Wraparound Process

The basic hypothesis of this field is that if the needs of a child and family are met, it is likely that the child and family will have a good or at least an improved life. This hypothesis has been central to life on the planet for thousands of years, and is certainly not a new concept. However, as the basis for formal efforts to de-categorize services and improve outcomes, the field has been in development for approximately 25 years. Some of the formative work came out of efforts by John Brown and his colleagues in Canada who operated the Brownsdale programs. These programs centered on the concepts of needs-based, individualized services that were unconditional. These concepts were utilized in designing the Kaleidoscope program in Chicago which began implementing private agency-based individualized services in 1975 under director Karl Dennis.

In 1985, officials of the State of Alaska social services, mental health, and education departments sought consultation from Kaleidoscope, and formed the Alaska Youth Initiative, managed by John VanDenBerg. This effort was successful in returning to Alaska almost all youth with complex needs who were placed in out-of-state institutions. The Alaska efforts were quickly followed by replication attempts in Washington, Vermont, and in more than 30 other states.

Other important work has come out of the same philosophical base that the Kaleidoscope programs came from. For example, the work of Naomi Tannen in New York and Vermont has been instrumental in promoting a flexible, needs-based approach. The work of Mary Grealish in West Virginia on rural wraparound and therapeutic foster care efforts is also important. Jody Lubrecht’s work in Idaho is also noteworthy. Another private agency that has had a national impact is the Youth Advocate Program, based in Harrisburg, PA, and operating flexible wraparound efforts in many states in the U.S.

It is important to note that essentially similar parallel developments have been occurring simultaneously in other fields. The work of John O’Brien and colleagues in the field of developmental disabilities has led to enormous system improvements through development of needs-based, individualized services in communities. The work of John McKnight and his colleagues on restructuring communities to support individuals with complex needs has been vital to the field. International progress in the field of police reform has led to community policing projects where the role of the officer is similarly tailored to the needs of the local community. State of the art practice in social work and mental health are evolving along parallel lines.

The field is growing very rapidly. John VanDenBerg’s best estimate for the number of North American children and families who are being served under the wraparound process as of January, 1998, is in excess of 100,000.