SFGH Programs - Wraparound Project

Javier Antezana, Case Manager; Ricardo Garcia-Acosta, Case Manager; Michael Texada, Case Manager; and Rochelle A. Dicker, MD, FACS, Assistant Professor of Surgery and Anesthesia.

This article was originally published in the Spring 2009 issue of the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation News.

he Wraparound Project serves as a vital point of entry, provides mentorship and links clients to essential risk-reduction resources in order to reduce injury recidivism and criminal recidivism in the most vulnerable citizens in the City of San Francisco. Our culturally competent case managers link participants and their families to the appropriate service providers within the community. These early interventions help our clients return to school, obtain a job, and access mental health services that help them deal with injuries and get back on the right track. Early interim analysis demonstrated a reduction in injury recidivism in participants of our violence intervention program to 11% as compared to the historical rate of 33% in our hospital.

Specifically, our case managers see victims of interpersonal/youth violence from 10-30 years of age while they are recovering from physical injury. They make an assessment and enroll patients they deem high risk for repeat injury and/or incarceration based on the presence or absence of risk factors. For our clients, Wraparound provides a golden window, a teachable moment in which they are more likely to participate in changes in order to secure health and welfare for the future. Providing access and guidance to crucial services that may not have been available otherwise, clients receive the care and support they often struggle to obtain on their own.

The greatest need of the Wraparound Project is to hire three more Case Managers. With only three Case Managers now, we do not have the capacity to see all individuals who come through our doors. With three more Case Managers, we would be able to see nearly 100% of violently injured youth and young adults; even those who are discharged straight from our Emergency Department. Additional Case Managers would also allow time for strengthening the already-incredible bonds we have with our city and community organizations. Finally, it would allow us to provide much more outreach to students in health care fields and to hospitals across the country looking to us for expertise in starting similar programs.