Currently, the wraparound process is a leading methodology for supporting families through tough times. Historically, faith-based organizations have sponsored human services efforts. In the children’s mental health arena, these efforts have focused on residential services. VVDB believes that faith-based organizations can mobilize resources and staff and drive the implementation of the wraparound process, working in tandem with local human services partners. VVDB provides training and coaching to faith-based organizations to establish the wraparound process within their communities. 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. Wraparound for youth and families with significant behavioral health challenges are provided by individuals with specific behavioral health training and experience meshed with a wraparound philosophy. Families with less severe challenges can complete the wraparound process with a faith or natural support volunteer team leader.

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.