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Caregiver perceptions of Parent Peer Support Services within the Wraparound Service Delivery Model

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Abstract

This qualitative study examined caregivers’ perceptions of Parent Peer Support (PPS) services, embedded in the Wraparound service delivery model for youth with severe emotional and behavioral disturbances (SEBD), to identify potential engagement facilitators and barriers. Wraparound is a holistic process involving multiple formal and informal providers to collectively implement an individualized, family-centered plan of care focused on maintaining youth with SEBD within the community. PPS are frequently referred to caregivers involved in Wraparound to provide additional support. Caregivers (n = 35) previously involved in an evaluation of one state’s Wraparound model participated in a single 30–60-min interview. Interview questions examined caregivers’ expectations about PPS, reasons for accepting or refusing PPS, and caregivers’ perceived impact of PPS. Transcribed interviews were analyzed using strategies from grounded theory methodology. Perceived need, as well as desire for shared experiences, knowledge, and assistance in accessing resources, facilitated accepting the PPS service. Barriers included inaccurate expectations of PPS, time limitations on Wraparound services, escalating youth behavior requiring more restrictive placements, scheduling difficulties, perceived unresponsiveness, and caregivers feeling overwhelmed by the number of providers. Caregivers indicated that PPS provided several benefits for themselves, youth in the care, and their families. However, potential barriers to ongoing engagement included perceived intrusiveness, as well as misalignment between services offered and caregivers’ needs.

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Author Contributions

G.G. designed and executed the study, assisted with the data analyses, and wrote the paper. M.J.H. collaborated with the design, data analysis and writing of the study. E.B. collaborated in the writing and editing of the final manuscript. M.C. analyzed data, and contributed to writing and editing of the final manuscript. S.M. analyzed data, and contributed to writing and editing of the final manuscript. M.P. analyzed data, and contributed to writing and editing of the final manuscript. T.L. analyzed data, and contributed to writing and editing of the final manuscript. M.M. collaborated in the writing and editing of the final manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Maryland School of Social Work, 525 West Redwood Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA

    Geetha Gopalan

  2. The Institute for Innovation and Implementation, University of Maryland School of Social Work, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA

    Maria Jose Horen, Miera Corey, Sarah Meteyer, Morgan Pardue, Tynetta Lane & Marlene Matarese

  3. University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA

    Eric Bruns

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  1. Geetha Gopalan
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  2. Maria Jose Horen
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Correspondence to Geetha Gopalan.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Gopalan, G., Horen, M.J., Bruns, E. et al. Caregiver perceptions of Parent Peer Support Services within the Wraparound Service Delivery Model. J Child Fam Stud 26, 1923–1935 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-017-0704-x

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