‘We’re on Team Megan!’

“We’re on Team Megan!” 

This is what the family’s Wraparound Team announced with excitement every time they met!  

“It made us feel special!” said Megan, whose two boys—6-year-old Isaac and 7-year-old Isaiah—participated in reunification with Wraparound.   

Finding Her Voice 

Wraparound began by working with the boys and their foster family to help them stabilize, be assessed and connect to resources to meet their needs.  Megan would visit the boys regularly, many times taking four-hour-long bus rides to and from visits.  

She was grateful the boys’ needs were being addressed, but Megan wondered why the foster family was getting Wraparound support while she was not included—a good question! So, she spoke up to the parent partner, Kat, who was there for the visits. That’s when things started to happen. Soon, Kat became her strongest advocate and constant source of support. Using the key Wraparound principle of Family Voice and Choice, Megan used her voice to initiate change. 

In no time at all, reunification was in full swing: Wraparound was on board and fully committed. Over the last six months, Megan and Kat worked together on transitioning the boys back home. Megan’s initial challenge was finding sober living accommodations that would not only include kids living there, but also be able to meet their needs.  

“It was a struggle for the kids who often were overstimulated with all the activity,” she said.  

With the help of the Wraparound team, weekend visits transitioned to permanent placement when Megan secured a place to live on their own.  

“They helped me achieve this goal by helping me set my priorities,” she said.   

A Team Leader 

Megan describes herself as “very driven,” never shying away from a challenge and facing things head-on. But she acknowledged she needed guidance and support.  Kat was always available to listen and encourage her to work through it like a cheerleader.  

The Wraparound team was amazed at what Megan accomplished and loved her energy and determination. While working to get her kids back and maintaining her sobriety, Megan was also employed and going to school for her Alcohol and Drug Certification, which she accomplished.   

Megan shared how she was always up for trying every recommendation to help her and the boys move forward.  

“I went to all the Child and Family Team and Wraparound meetings—if they made a suggestion, I would do it,” she said. “I always felt like I was part of the team: in fact, the Wraparound team made me feel like I was the team leader.” 

That’s how “I’m on Team Megan” emerged as a slogan, highlighting teamwork, pride and a sign of what’s possible. 

Implementing the Wraparound Plan 

The Wraparound plan was always a moving target. The team met weekly without fail, always starting out identifying strengths and what was working, which gave the plan momentum. Listening to how things progressed with the family, identifying needs and making adjustments helped make the plan implementation go smoothly.  

“They would observe interactions and daily routines with me and the kids and take note of what was needed,” said Megan. “Each week, we addressed concerns and challenges.”   

In between, Wraparound team members would check in with calls and even created a group text so, if there were questions or concerns, everybody knew what was happening. 

“Everyone could stay on the same page, following the concerns and the proposed solutions,” she said, noting she was able to build trust sooner knowing that team members—especially her parent partner Kat—followed through.  

“Everyone was accountable, not just me,” she said.   

Wraparound plan implementation was a living, breathing instrument that evolved as the family’s needs changed.  Flexibility was key and adjustments occurred on a regular basis.  

“Lots of things were trial and error. I always had the courage to try everything, and then give feedback to make things work, which is what moved us forward,” she said. “I wasn’t afraid to speak up and report what things weren’t working.” 

Celebrating Accomplishments 

The plan always addressed strengths and challenges, plus new resources or services were added to meet goals. For instance, team members addressed the kids’ school issues, gathered supplies and provided transportation, plus they’d arrange to meet with the kids at the park or mall, where they were most comfortable. They were instrumental in setting up educational services and working though the IEP process. They also helped with rent and groceries, provided tickets for recreational outings or meals, set up daycare and more. 

What’s more, the boys are very different from each other, so their interventions were tailored to their needs. Isaiah is active and outgoing, and his favorite things to do are go to the park, ride his motorcycle and play soccer. Issac is more reserved and loves Xbox, games, Legos, books and drawing, and cherishes each of his stuffed animals.  

The team and family celebrated both big and little accomplishments, including birthdays and a special celebration of Megan’s one-year sobriety anniversary. 

 “I do not have family, but Wraparound became just that,” said Megan. “They wanted the same things as me.”  

‘Change the Outcome Into Something Positive’ 

All in all, Megan and the boys have come a long way. She shared that the biggest things she learned were how to deal with her children’s behaviors and how to react in an effective manner. She also became an advocate for herself, Isaiah and Issac. 

“The Wraparound team taught me never to take ‘no’ for an answer when fighting for my boys’ education and services,” she said. 

As an added bonus, thanks to the inclusive Wraparound team’s work, Megan and the boys have retained a positive ongoing relationship with the boys’ foster family. The family has visited them, recently helped out with their care and are planning to take the boys on a vacation. Their ongoing relationship feels comfortable, especially since Megan and the foster family continue to use the same structure and interventions they learned while working alongside the Wraparound team. 

Many of Megan’s future goals stem from the Wraparound plan and implementation. She wants to someday become a parent partner like Kat so she can help other families find their strengths, apply them and achieve their goals. For the boys, she wants to purchase a house with a big backyard and get a family dog to complete the dream.  

“It’s OK to make mistakes and still change the outcome into something positive,” she said.