Culturally Responsive Wraparound Tips: Leading With Cultural Humility
Standard 1.7 highlights the importance of providing Wraparound services that are both culturally respectful and culturally relevant. The standard states:
"HFW teams recognize that a family's traditions, values and heritage are sources of great strength. HFW teams use strategies that are relevant to and respectful of the youth and family's culture, including Tribes in the case of an Indian child. HFW teams work to connect families with individuals and organizations that provide culturally relevant support after the family transitions from formal HFW services."
To truly embody this standard within our Child and Family Teams (CFTs), cultural responsiveness must be considered throughout every phase of the Wraparound process, not as a one-time conversation or checklist item.
As teams work alongside youth and families, it is important to continually ask ourselves questions such as:
- What cultural traditions, values and beliefs are important to this youth and family?
- Have these traditions and values been identified by the youth and family themselves, or are we making assumptions?
- Does the youth or family have connections to Indigenous Tribes, Native American traditions or other cultural communities that should be recognized and incorporated into the Wraparound process?
- How are we utilizing community-based supports that affirm and support the youth's and family's cultural identity and heritage?
- Have we considered how our own identities, experiences and perspectives may impact our relationships with youth and families?
- Are we intentionally engaging natural supports who reflect and understand the culture, heritage and lived experiences of the youth and family?
These are just a few of the many questions that can help guide culturally responsive practice. Meaningful Wraparound work requires us to engage in cultural humility: an ongoing process of learning, reflection and growth.
Cultural humility has been defined as an active, lifelong practice that includes:
- Continuous exploration of cultural identities, beliefs and awareness of one's own biases
- Treating others with respect, openness, curiosity and empathy.
- Working to reduce power imbalances within relationships and communities
(National Center on Advancing Person-Centered Practices and Systems, 2024)
Cultural humility is not solely an individual responsibility. It exists at the individual, team, organizational and systems levels. Creating environments where youth and families feel seen, heard, respected and valued requires intentional effort from everyone involved in the Wraparound process.
When we approach families with genuine curiosity, openness and a willingness to learn, we strengthen our ability to build authentic partnerships and develop plans that are truly individualized and meaningful.
As you reflect on your Wraparound practice, consider the following question:
What intentional steps are we taking, both individually and collectively, to demonstrate cultural humility and ensure our Wraparound practice is culturally responsive for every youth and family we serve?