Coordinated Family Services
What is "Coordinated Family Services"?
Coordinated Family Services (also referred to as "Wraparound", "Children Come
First", or "Coordinated Services Teams") is an approach to respond to
children and families with multiple, often serious needs in the least
restrictive setting. It is not a specific program or service. It is rather a
process based on family and community values and is unconditional in its
commitment to create services for each child and family. Creative services that
are developed by a family team support normalized, community-based
options for children and families.
Each team develops an individualized plan.
Approaches used by the team are determined by identified strengths and needs
of the family and team members. Parents are partners on the team and have
ultimate ownership of the plan. The strength-based approach builds on
responses and activities that have worked. The plan focuses on what is normal
for the child's age, gender, and culture.
Plans change as circumstances in the
life of the child and family change. Services are supported through
collaborative efforts of agencies, government and volunteer efforts.
Flexible funds are available to support the plan. Outcomes and progress
are measured and evaluated often.
St
Croix County Project Overview
The Coordinated Family Services (CFS) Project strives to keep youth ages 0-18
with multiple and persistent needs, including substance abuse, juvenile
delinquency and mental health in their homes, schools and communities through a
comprehensive, coordinated interagency system of care. The CFS process has
assisted adult teams in St Croix County as well. The CFS project engages a
multi-disciplinary team in developing a Plan of Care that is individualized for
each child and family enrolled. Each interagency family team identifies the
unique strengths and needs of the child and family, then creates a Plan of Care
outlining the services and activities necessary to meet the identified needs. If
a formal service or funding is not available to meet a particular need, it is
the team's responsibility to use the strengths of the child, family, and
community to meet the need in a creative way. Examples of services and
activities may include: respite care, mentoring, advocacy, help with parenting
skills, financial counseling, case management, AODA and mental health services.
The CFS process is strength based, family centered and directly involves the
child as a consumer and parents as partners. It seeks to identify and develop
natural community supports. CFS is an early intervention approach targeted at
youth that might not necessarily have formal involvement in the juvenile justice
system and is a needed effort to prevent such involvement from occurring.
The Coordinated Family Services Coordinating
Committee, made up of representatives from a variety of community groups and
agencies, oversees the St. Croix County Coordinated Family Services project.
The committee is always welcoming new community members. For more information
on how to become involved in the project on any level or to make a referral,
please contact the CFS project Coordinator Dawn Campbell, CSW at 715.246.8446
email:
dawnc@co.saint-croix.wi.us
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