Wraparound: Remembering the Why

As a relatively new team member of the Resource Center for Family Focused Practices' High Fidelity Wraparound Behavioral Health Center of Excellence team, I have had the opportunity to become intimately connected with the High Fidelity Wraparound (HFW) Standards and the many thoughtful refinements taking place across California. As I adjust to my new role as a HFW coach and trainer, I have diligently checked items off my onboarding “to-do” list, led trainings and worked to meet the expectations of supporting counties as they strive toward fidelity. 

Recently, however, I took a pause.

I paused to remember what it was like to work directly with the courageous families who receive Wraparound services. I thought about their stories. The pain. The resilience. The victories and the inevitable ups and downs that accompany meaningful change. I remembered that behind every plan, meeting, assessment and fidelity measure is a family navigating real life… 

And in that reflection, I was reminded of the why.

High Fidelity Wraparound is not simply about implementing a model correctly. It is about cultivating an environment for families to experience something different. It is about helping families identify their strengths, honor their voice and culture, build meaningful supports, and develop creative solutions… to help children and young people remain connected to their people and communities. That reminder was a WOW moment for me.

As professionals, it can be easy to become immersed in the work of systems improvement. We talk about standards, fidelity, outcomes, documentation, training, coaching and continuous quality improvement. All of those things matter. They help ensure that Wraparound is implemented with intention and consistency, but fidelity should never become disconnected from purpose. When we support counties in moving toward evidence-informed, High Fidelity Wraparound practice, we are doing more than helping systems meet a standard. We are helping create opportunities for families to be together and stay together in extraordinary, creative and impactful ways.

So, as I continue learning, coaching, training and growing in this new role, I am carrying one important reminder with me:

Remember the why.
Because behind every standard is a young person and family.