History of the Wraparound Process T he wraparound process is a collaborative, team-based approach to service and support planning. Through the wraparound process, teams create plans to meet the needs—and improve the lives—of children and youth with complex needs and their families. The wraparound team members—the identifed child/youth, parents/caregivers and other family and community members, mental health professionals, educators, and others—meet regularly to de- sign, implement, and monitor a plan to meet the unique needs of the child and family. As is described in depth in other sections of this Resource Guide, the wraparound pro- cess can be described as one in which the team: Creates, implements, and monitors an individualized plan using a collaborative process driven by the per- spective of the family; Develops a plan that includes a mix of professional supports, natural supports, and community mem- bers; Bases the plan on the strengths and culture of the youth and their family; and Ensures that the process is driven by the needs of the family rather than by the services that are avail- able or reimbursable. • • • • John VanDenBerg, President Vroon VanDenBerg LLP Eric Bruns, Co-Director, National Wraparound Initiative, and Associate Professor, University of Washington School of Medicine John Burchard, Professor University of Vermont Introduction and Basics: Chapter 1.3 This article is reprinted from: VanDenBerg, J., Bruns, E., & Burchard, J. (2003). History of the wrap- around process. Focal Point: A National Bulletin on Family Support and Children’s Mental Health: Quality and fdelity in Wraparound, 17(2), 4-7 The Resource Guide to Wraparound This document was peer reviewed through the NWI.