Effective September 1, Band members enrolled in the program formerly known as Wraparound will receive more streamlined and efficient services as the program moves to Aanjibimaadizing under a new name: Facilitated Services.
The helpful and experienced Wraparound staff will still be available to meet their clients’ needs, but now most services — including Aanjibimaadizing case management — will be under the same roof.
Kristian Theisz is leaving his position as Community Support Services Director with Health and Human Services to serve as Director of Community Services at Aanjibimaadizing, which is part of the Department of Administration.
"We found that most people in the Wraparound program were also enrolled in Aanjibimaadizing for education, driver’s licenses, or job training," said Kristian. "It just made a lot of sense for the Wraparound facilitators and Aanjibimaadizing case managers to work together."
Aanjibimaadizing Executive Director Tammy Wickstrom had already combined the Band’s two youth programs before COVID-19 hit, and she saw a similar opportunity with Wraparound and transitional housing. "We were looking to do what we did with Niigaan. Two programs were serving the same clients, supporting the same work, and duplicating some services. Both programs help people overcome barriers, whether it’s addiction, mental health, reentry from prison or jail, or homelessness."
Wraparound has been overseeing housing grants, which will also move to Aanjibimaadizing.
Aanjibimaadizing will maintain their office at "the Loop" in District I and will also manage transitional housing in Districts II and III. Working a case plan successfully will be required for housing, and all housing will be considered sober housing.
Tammy Moreland, the Wraparound Coordinator, will also make the move to Aanjibimaadizing, along with Mary Boyd, Dondi Jonelle, William Smith, Rachel Boyd-Vogt, Marlene Poukka, and Evan Moser (some of whom remain on furlough).
One of the differences Wraparound clients will see is the requirement that they become Aanjibimaadizing clients and are assigned a case manager. Most Wraparound clients are already using Aanjibimaadizing services, but some will be required to fill out an application. Their case manager will work with them through the intake process, and if they have additional needs like housing or other support, they will be referred to a facilitator. The facilitator will conduct assessments to see where support is needed and to develop a plan.
Tammy Wickstrom, the Aanjibimaadizing Director, said the program’s mission will be tailored toward helping Band members find employment by overcoming barriers, whether they are related to health, education, or housing. "I’m excited about the change," said Tammy. "We believe strongly that a team approach is the best way to help Band members become self-sufficient, and that self-sufficiency will in turn help Band members, their families, and their community."
Most of the Community Support Services Program will remain with Health and Human Services, including Family Violence Prevention, Emergency Services, Food Shelves, Commodities, Elder Services, Elder Energy, and Elder Disability.