Wraparound Services

The Lorain City Schools System of Care provides a comprehensive spectrum of effective services and supports for children, youth, and young adults with or at risk for mental health or other challenges and their families that is organized into a coordinated network of care, builds meaningful partnerships with families and youth, and is culturally and linguistically responsive in order to help them to thrive at home, in school, in the community, and throughout life. A system of care incorporates mental health promotion, prevention, early identification, and early intervention in addition to treatment to address the needs of all children, youth, and young adults. (Stroul et al., 2010)

The Lorain City Schools System of Care is:

Family and Youth Driven

Family and youth driven, with families and young people supported in determining the types of treatment and supports provided (with increasing youth/young adult self-determination based on age and development), and their involvement in decision-making roles in system-level policies, procedures, and priorities.  

Community Based

Community based, with services and supports provided in home, school, primary care, and community settings to the greatest possible extent, and with responsibility for system management and accountability resting within a supportive, adaptive infrastructure of structures, processes, and relationships at the community or regional level.  

Culturally and Linguistically Competent

Culturally and linguistically responsive, with agencies, services, and supports adapted to the cultural, racial, ethnic, and linguistic diversity of the young people and families they serve to provide care that meets individual needs, including those shaped by culture and language, and to ensure equity in access, quality, and effectiveness of services.

The Lorain City Schools follows a MULTI-TIERED SYSTEM OF SUPPORT (MTSS) to integrate school safety and crisis management in a holistic approach that prioritizes the needs of students.

Much of the support for school students is Tier I and can be handled by highly qualified school personnel and social workers. Tier II and Tier III require specific, targeted intervention that is directed to specific organizations that can provide an extensive support service.

Our system of care has been developed to provide an array of supports to our students and families, including:

• AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMMING AND MENTORING provided by partner agencies focus on character, leadership, and social-emotional development;
• BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS SUPPORT that promote interventions, consultations, screenings, access to therapists and counseling, and intensive in-home mental health treatment; 
• CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY SERVICES ensure those in need of substance abuse screenings and treatment are provided with evidence-based support; 
• COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS connect students and families to a world of opportunities; 
• MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND VISION care provided by partner agencies dedicated to high-quality care close to home; 
• TITAN FAMILY ACTION MEMBERS (FAM) support students, families, and the Lorain community by fostering engagement and participation in our schools; 
• FOOD SUPPORT through bimonthly school-based food pantries for families; 
• HOMELESS SUPPORT to assist in removing barriers for students who are unhoused; 
• LEGAL SERVICES for families; 
• VETERANS SUPPORT for students of veterans and families; 
• SUICIDE PREVENTION with an evidence-based framework that uses the Columbia screener and Navigate 360.

TITAN FAM | The Titan Family Action Member (FAM) committee supports students, families, and the Lorain community by fostering engagement and participation in our schools. FAM is currently working with our schools to bring more events, programming, and resources to families with the goal of giving families what they need to be partners in moving Lorain City Schools forward. We welcome all levels of involvement from parents and community leaders.

ATTENDANCE OUTREACH  | Family liaisons are an important link between our schools and the homes of our students who at risk of failure due to chronic absence as defined by House Bill 410. Liaisons work to provide support to families to reduce barriers to getting students to school on time, every day.

CONNECTION TO SERVICES  | Engagement Center personnel facilitate the wraparound process, conduct strengths/needs assessments, facilitate the team planning process and manage the implementation of the Care Plan. This includes: 

• Conducting a strengths and needs assessment with the child and family.
• Forming a Care Team with the family to include the child, family, formal and informal service providers, peer support providers and others.
• Engaging the Care Team in an interactive process to develop a collective vision, related goals, and personal Care Plan that is family-centered and team-based,

Legal Aid’s Intake is Open 24/7 (¡en español también!)
Legal Aid is proud to now offer online intake in both English and Spanish. Legal Aid se enorgullece de ofrecer ahora admisión en línea tanto en inglés como en español. Those who wish to apply for Legal Aid’s help can visit lasclev.org and apply online anytime. Of course, our phone intake remains available during most business hours – and all languages are welcome, with interpretation available.

Federal Funds for Legal Aid 
American Rescue Plan (ARP) and other COVID-related funding can be used to invest in the provision of civil legal aid through a variety of mechanisms. Legal Aid can partner with you on creative solutions to promote transformational change in Northeast Ohio. Visit our website to learn more.

Brief Advice Clinics are Back! (by appointment only)
Our final clinic of 2021 will be Saturday, December 11 at the Harvard Lee Branch of the Cleveland Public Library. Appointments become available approximately two weeks before the clinic date. Visit our website for a full list of clinic offerings, or download this flyer to distribute. And watch our website in late December for new clinic dates in 2022.

Legal Aid Facebook Live
Legal Aid’s Facebook Live series shares "know your rights" information through discussions with attorneys, librarians, and guest experts. On Tuesday, November 30 at 5:00 p.m., the program will be co-hosted with Heights Libraries and will focus on community economic development work (specifically, Legal Aid's work with cooperatives). You'll hear success stories and learn how to gather people in your community to make an impact. Visit the event page on Facebook to join us. 

Free Eviction Help in Northeast Ohio
Legal Aid helps residents of five counties in Northeast Ohio. Our Free Eviction Help program, established in partnership with United Way of Greater Cleveland, focuses specifically on Cuyahoga County. Visit freeevictionhelp.org for more information and resources.

Tenant Information Line & Worker Information Line
Legal Aid’s Tenant Information Line is available 24/7 for renters with questions about housing law. Tenants can call 216-861-5955 or 440-210-4533. Legal Aid’s Worker Information Line is also available 24/7 to field questions about employment and unemployment compensation. People can call 216-861-5899 in Cuyahoga County or 440-210-4532 in Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, and Lorain Counties and leave a message at any time. Callers should clearly state their name, phone number, and a brief description of their question, and Legal Aid will call back within 1-2 business days.

Do you have a concern about a staff member?

If an issue involves a school building staff member (principal, teacher or other staff member), please attempt to resolve the issue with the staff member first, then the supervisor, such as the principal if there is a concern with a teacher. Most issues are most readily resolved at the most local level possible.