Program Description

Wraparound Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

Overview

In 1994, Milwaukee County was awarded a Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program grant by the Center for Mental Health Services, a division of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Through this grant, Wraparound Milwaukee was developed as a system of care for the county’s children with serious emotional disturbance and their families. The program’s goals include minimizing out-of-home placements, supporting families, and building on their strengths, helping them to access an array of services, coordinating care, and delivering services in a cost effective manner.

Wraparound Milwaukee is administered by the Milwaukee County Mental Health Department, part of Milwaukee County Human Services, which also includes Probation and Developmental Disabilities, among others. The Director of the Child and Adolescent Services Branch is also the Project Director for Wraparound Milwaukee. The program is funded through a blending of child welfare and juvenile justice funds, a monthly capitation from Medicaid, and the Center for Mental Health Services.

Youth can enter the program through the child welfare system if their parents opt to enroll them in lieu of using the HMO for mental health services. From the justice system, intake is determined by court order. The family meets with an enrollment worker who conducts an initial screening and assigns a care coordinator. The care coordinator then works with the child and family to identify a community support team that also includes the probation officer or child welfare worker and family advocate. A Service Authorization Request is then processed to authorize payment to network health providers. Monthly meetings are held to monitor the treatment plan and service delivery.

Wraparound Milwaukee has reduced the use of restrictive placements and reduced costs. There has also been improved collaboration between child welfare, juvenile justice, and mental health. Based on evaluations, youth enrolled for one year or more functioned better in school, at home, and in the community upon disenrollment. The program has also had an impact on improved community safety as re-offense rates for youth continue to drop even three years after leaving the program.

Reference

Kamradt, B. (2000) Wraparound Milwaukee: Aiding youth with mental health needs. Juvenile Justice Bulletin 7(1).

Program Contact

Bruce Kamradt
Director, Wraparound Milwaukee Program
9501 Watertown Plank Road
Milwaukee, WI 53226
Phone: 414-257-7611