Abstract
Objective
The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes for children ages 5–18 experiencing serious emotional disturbances who
received wraparound in a systems of care community funded through a 6-year federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration, Grant # SM54497-06. This study evaluated the following hypotheses. (1) Youths diagnosed with
a SED participating in wraparound services will experience improved mental health symptoms, improved functioning, and improved
behavioral and emotional strengths. (2) Caregivers of youths diagnosed with a serious emotional disturbance participating
in wraparound services will experience decreased levels of caregiver strain.
received wraparound in a systems of care community funded through a 6-year federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration, Grant # SM54497-06. This study evaluated the following hypotheses. (1) Youths diagnosed with
a SED participating in wraparound services will experience improved mental health symptoms, improved functioning, and improved
behavioral and emotional strengths. (2) Caregivers of youths diagnosed with a serious emotional disturbance participating
in wraparound services will experience decreased levels of caregiver strain.
Results
All of the caregiver completed measurement instruments showed statistical and clinical levels of improvement in youth behavioral
and emotional strengths, mental health symptoms, and caregiver stress by the 6-month data collection point that was sustained
through 24-month. Youths rated themselves as having fewer problems than the ratings given by caregivers at intake. Changes
across the youth rated instruments did not show significant improvement until the 12 or 18-month data points. The findings
of this study are overall favorable for using a wraparound service delivery model in systems of care for youth experiencing
a SED.
and emotional strengths, mental health symptoms, and caregiver stress by the 6-month data collection point that was sustained
through 24-month. Youths rated themselves as having fewer problems than the ratings given by caregivers at intake. Changes
across the youth rated instruments did not show significant improvement until the 12 or 18-month data points. The findings
of this study are overall favorable for using a wraparound service delivery model in systems of care for youth experiencing
a SED.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-19
- DOI 10.1007/s10566-011-9167-1
- Authors
- Kirstin Painter, MHMR of Tarrant County, Fort Worth, TX, USA
- Journal Child and Youth Care Forum
- Online ISSN 1573-3319
- Print ISSN 1053-1890