NEWS RELEASE
September 18, 1996

Families Satisfied with Wrap-Around Services

The large majority of Michigan families participating in wrap-around services are satisfied, according to the recent child and family outcome evaluation of the Michigan Interagency Family Preservation Initiative (MIFPI). Wrap-around, a recent innovation in community care for children who have serious emotional disturbances, is based on the principle of wrapping needed services and supports around children and their families, rather than fitting them into traditional categorical services.

Evaluation results show that 89.6% of parents or other caregivers felt that caregiving had become easier and more manageable since participating in wrap-around. The evaluation also shows that families rated the quality of service they received an average of 3.5 on a four-point scale, indicating a high level of satisfaction.

Families also said that wrap-around provided the kind of services they wanted and needed, and helped them deal with their problems. In addition, families said they would return to wrap-around services if they needed to seek help again, and that they would recommend wrap-around to a friend who was in need of similar help.

Families said they most liked the caring, supportive, respective manner in which they were treated by wrap-around staff and team members.

The typical child participating in wrap-around has been in an average of two out-of-home placements before returning home in the last five months to live with a biological parent.

The standard child and family service team of nine members provides a diverse array of services, including: psychotherapy or counseling, case management, respite care, education and training. The average length of wrap-around services is 303 days.

"Wrap-around services provide hundreds of Michigan families with the assistance necessary to meet their needs and help them stay together," said Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) Director James K. Haveman, Jr. "We are pleased that the services are making such a positive impact on families who have a child who is at risk."

MIFPI is a collaborative initiative of state and local human service agencies. They include MDCH, which is the lead agency, the Family Independence Agency, the Department of Education and local community mental health, child welfare services, public health agencies, and the probate courts.

"We believe every child is entitled to a stable home whether the child lives in kinship care or in foster care," said FIA Director Gerald H. Miller. "Wrap-around services help provide much needed stability for these children."

"While we are pleased that wrap-around services are truly making a difference, we also recognize that there are wrinkles in the system that need to be ironed out," Haveman added. MIFPI is working on ways to increase awareness and availability of services prior to escalation of a crisis or a child becoming at risk.

Wrap-around, which offers the most promising potential for improved outcomes for at-risk children and families, has been initiated by 35 Community Mental Health agencies. In 1995, 600 children and their families were served, an increase from the 353 children and families served in 1994.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: MEDIA OFFICE

Seeptember 19, 1996 (517) 335-8003