Natural Supports and Faith-Based 

Blending services and natural supports. One of the primary values of the wraparound process is the identification and involvement of natural supports on the youth and family’s child and family team. A good wraparound plan is composed of not more than 25% formal services and supports (things that cost money) and 75% natural supports or things that don’t cost money.  Vroon VanDenBerg (VVDB) is the leading international firm doing technical assistance, coaching, and training on the wraparound process, and is now offering training and coaching designed to increase human services and natural support partnerships.

Natural Supports and Faith-Based Organizations. Many broker points exist for natural supports. However, the faith community is the largest broker (agent) of natural resources in a community. Therefore, a strong connection between human services and the faith community must be realized and developed.

Training in a Partnership Model. Most human services leadership and most faith-based leadership are not trained in how to approach each other and as a result there are few strong national models for partnership. We at VVDB have developed an innovative national model of mutually beneficial, reciprocal partnerships between human services and the faith based community.

Community Benefits. The benefits of the partnership provide prevention for youth and families that have not yet entered the system (Mental Health, Juvenile Justice, Child Welfare, Schools, and other system partners) by early recognition of problematic behaviors. If the child is in the system, the collaboration between human services and the faith community shape both formal and natural supports to assure successful outcomes. For example, a wrap team through a faith-based organization may need consultation with local mental health. When the call comes from the church-based wraparound team, the mental health clinical supervisor will have to understand that the call has merit and is in fact a vital call to the health of the family and the community. Mental health would have to have a partnership agreement with the churches that covers roles, confidentiality, HIPPA compliance, and other key areas. However, when mental health has the lead on a family within the neighborhoods of the churches, and the family needs natural supports such as mentoring or other needs, mental health may need to contact the faith-based organization to get supports. The faith-based organization will need to understand the request, and have processes to deal with the request, including having trained mentors available.

VVDB Lead Staff. (see VVDB People for more detail). VVDB has very experienced trainers and coaches to lead this area of development. Reverend Norman Moon has over 25 years in the ministry, has worked extensively with the Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health, and has worked with VVDB as a trainer and wraparound coach. Michele Stewart-Copes, MSW, managed one of the most innovative demonstrations of use of natural supports and the wraparound process, in Hartford, CT, and has worked for VVDB across the U.S.  VVDB staff have recently presented the model at the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health Conference in Washington D.C. and the National Building on Family Strengths Conference in Portland, Oregon. We are currently establishing faith-based partnerships in Colorado, Delaware and Connecticut, and other sites around the U.S.  Please contact Rev. Norman Moon or Ms. Stewart-Copes for more information.  

Offerings:

VVDB staff gives keynote addresses and conference presentations on human services and natural support community partnerships. In addition, we will come to your community and meet with your management teams and community organizations to design and increase these essential partnerships. We offer innovative and exciting one and two day workshops on human services and natural support community partnerships, we provide direct coaching (hands-on support and follow-up) and provide the support to establish local trainers and coaches who can carry on the support of these efforts after VVDB staff are no longer working in the community.  Prices for VVDB offerings vary depending on the level of involvement needed.

Click here for a copy of our flyer on "Human Services and Natural Support Partnership Training"

Vroon VanDenBerg LLP, 10822 Quail Creek Drive East, Parker, CO  80138
(303) 790-4099 Phone (303) 790-1926 Fax
info@vroonvdb.com