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Abstract: 

Wraparound is providing promising options for service delivery that supports youth with complex emotional and behavioral needs in Los Angeles County’s child welfare system. This paper builds upon a previous study that compared placement outcomes of youth receiving Wraparound versus traditional foster care services. The current study tracks and compares the placement and associated cost outcomes of youth who graduated from Wraparound in Los Angeles County to those of youth placed in high-level residential care for a period of one year. The results indicate that Wraparound graduates are more likely to exit the child welfare system and have fewer and less restrictive subsequent placements; thereby incurring less cost to the county. Wraparound also has a positive impact on the youth’s outcomes relating to permanency and well-being. The discussion focuses on the short- and long-term policy and practice implications in Los Angeles County.

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Affiliations:  1: Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services; 2: Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services; 3: Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services; 4: Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.