Nexus: Connecting Families to Recovery Program

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is in its fourth year of serving families through single coordinated care plans through the Nexus: Connecting Families to Recovery program. It is an attempt to provide coordinated service planning for consumers of the substance abuse treatment program that are also involved in those other systems of care. It serves TANF eligible individuals/families that are in need of substance abuse treatment. The program is funded by TANF. Families are most commonly involved with the state's TANF program and child welfare; however, other systems such as correctional, and physical or mental health are very often involved as well.

The approach employed is the "wraparound" philosophy. A team is put together with the consumer's input and may include family members, friends, and representatives from each service system. The process is consumer-focused and strength-based as goals for the consumer are identified; strengths and needs are determined; and strategies to meet those needs are agreed upon. A facilitator trained in "wraparound" services also participates. Some consumers will require multiple team meetings and consequent plan updates, while others require fewer meetings after the initial plan is developed.

NEXUS intends to provide the collaboration & communication needed for consumers to recover from alcohol and other drug abuse issues in a positive, supportive and nurturing environment.

Over 400 families have participated in the program, and the substance abuse treatment division initiated those cases. The child welfare division is very involved in this program and all staff is currently being trained in the techniques. In the future, cases may be initiated from child welfare as well as substance abuse treatment. Currently, an evaluative component to the Single Coordinated Care Plan is being developed and more substance abuse treatment providers are being trained.