Embracing Change: California’s High Fidelity Wraparound Model, Name Changes and Beyond

Change can feel exciting, overwhelming or even a little spooky. And just in time for the season well known for transformation, the California Department of Social Services is embracing change by unveiling a new name for the Family Centered Practice team: the Wraparound Integrated Practices and Services Unit (WIPS).

WIPS is more than just a new label; it reflects our deep commitment to supporting counties, providers and families with Wraparound practices that are aligned with and centered on evidence-based practices.

Of course, a new name is only one type of change. The bigger transformation is the shift many counties and providers are making toward High Fidelity Wraparound (HFW), and we know that is not always easy. Changing established plans and programs takes effort, collaboration and persistence; similar to the challenges families face when asked to make big changes in their own lives. Whether it’s building new routines, trying new supports or reimagining what’s possible, change often comes with both opportunity and discomfort.

That is why we believe this journey should never feel like you’re walking alone. Just as Wraparound walks alongside families with compassion and persistence, CDSS is here to support counties and HFW providers every step of the way. Together, we can move past the cobwebs of confusion and into a clearer, more supportive vision of what Wraparound can achieve.

At the end of the day, change is less about what we lose and more about what we grow into. As the leaves fall and we transition between seasons together, let’s welcome the transformation with courage, compassion and continued collaboration.

MythBusters for High Fidelity Wraparound

Because every change brings questions (and sometimes myths that need busting), we’ve included some MythBusters to help sweep away some of the mystery around implementing High Fidelity Wraparound. 

• Myth: All of your staff must be trained in Wraparound 101: Foundations of Fidelity prior to becoming approved/certified
• The Facts: For program certification and plan approval, we only want to see your documented Training Plan that outlines how you will ensure your team is receiving the Wraparound 101: Foundations of Fidelity and ongoing trainings as needed (and required per Standard 9.6)
• Myth: The only way to get staff trained in Wraparound 101: Foundation of Fidelity is through UC Davis

• The Facts: There are three options to get staff trained.

  1) UC Davis offers a Training for Trainers (T4T) that prepares a highly qualified individual from your organization to train the Wraparound 101: Foundation of Fidelity curriculum for your team.

  2) Develop your own curriculum that meets the criteria for plan approval and program certification

  3) Or just attend Wraparound 101: Foundations to Fidelity through UC Davi

• Myth: I need to have a team member to fulfill all 7 roles outlined in the Standards (9.4)
• The Facts: This is a conversation about role versus position. For program certification and plan approval, we are looking for your outline detailing how you will distribute the responsibility of the duties of the roles amongst the positions that your agency/county can employ.
• Myth: We are not allowed to have the same person play multiple roles for the same family
• The Facts: Best practices tell us that it is better to not have a single person playing multiple roles for a family; however, this is not intended to be a barrier for smaller agencies and counties, so this is not a requirement in the Standards

For more myth-busting tips around staffing High Fidelity Wraparound programs, you also may want to join us in January for the Staffing High Fidelity Wraparound webinar – details coming soon!