All In

Wraparound to me are those first meetings. The long days being in crisis with families that we’ve built strong connections with, the countless phone calls from kiddos because they feel comfortable calling to talk through challenges they might be facing, or the one-on-one interventions we do to help shape a more positive outcome.  That “all in” mentality that every single wraparound staff has is one of the many reasons why I have become as passionate about Wraparound as a whole. The journey is what gets us to where we are and when we find that real genuine passion, it can take us even further in this field. Sometimes we lose track of that “being in the trenches” with these families, but the reward is coming into homes in the beginning and walking out at the end with the family having a whole different outlook and more skills to put forth a better family dynamic supporting that mental health piece (skills to meet challenges they might face in their future (and present).

The reward is coming into homes in the beginning and walking out at the end with the family having a whole different outlook and more skills to put forth a better family dynamic

 

                  In retrospect, my journey to Wrap is short and sweet. As a young graduating college student whose experiences included working in a chaotic group home setting, I was looking for something different.  I was possibly wanting some change of scenery but still enjoyed that day-to -day crisis like work. Wrap knocked on my door the second I was walking the stage (I literally received the call that I got the job minutes after graduating with my bachelors) and I have been with Wraparound since. Being with Wraparound program has taught me a lot about the behind the scenes work and what goes on in the community as well with resourcing for these families. I am extremely proud of the successful families that come through and hopeful for those families that go astray in hopes they return again at some point. With Wraparound you never know what you are going to get on a day-to-day basis but that is why we do it. We do it to provide the interventions and skill-based techniques (coping skills) to try and switch those behaviors around. That is where the role as youth support counselor comes in, we are the non-clinical behavior specialists of the program and the one’s that really do the rapport building (build trust, learning the kiddos strength’s/skills, help engage them towards change, create opportunities for growth) through the one-on-one time we have with the kiddos. 

With Wraparound you never know what you are going to get on a day-to-day basis but that is why we do it.

My love for Wraparound goes far beyond a job title and a paycheck. The kids can see it in the work we put forth on a daily basis and through the rapport building that is so desperately needed to make a difference/impact in the child/family’s life.  Being a support counselor is about showing up even if it’s frustrating sometimes. It’s all about the journey towards graduation, building trust and engaging the kids who are along for the ride. There is no better way to describe Wraparound than being “All In” and the messiness that comes with it. Every day that we face as Wraparound providers, it is rewarding knowing that each family will get an individualized experience with a team of experts (professionals and natural supports) that can help them get to where they need to go. The journey doesn’t end with Wrap, it is just the beginning. 
 

There's So Much More on Wraparound

Read additional articles from this issue of the Wraparound Connections Newsletter!