The purpose of the practice expectations for Wraparound teams working with Indian children, families, and Tribes, is to ensure the integration of tribal engagement, cultural responsiveness, and advocacy throughout the Wraparound process. When working with Indian children and families, Wraparound team members will prioritize respect for tribal sovereignty, traditions, and values and ensure respectful communication, collaboration, and advocacy, with the goal of promoting positive outcomes through culturally rooted support systems and services. These practice expectations are the shared responsibility of the Wraparound team and incorporate active efforts and meaningful collaboration with the Indian child, families, and Tribes.
The goal of the practice expectations is to ensure that cultural values, traditions, and perspectives are honored at every level of the Wraparound process when working with Indian children, families and Tribes. By embedding this into the team roles, the Wraparound process becomes a truly inclusive, strengths-based planning process, promoting meaningful connections and better outcomes for American Indian/Alaska Native youth and families.
Core Purpose of the Practice Expectations are to:
- Facilitate meaningful connections between Indian children, families, and their Tribe.
- Advocate for culturally appropriate services and support through all phases of the Wraparound process.
- Ensure collaboration with tribal representatives and service providers to honor cultural traditions and tribal sovereignty.
- Promote trust-based partnerships between families, Tribes, and system partners
Core Principles for all Wraparound Team Members when Working With Indian Children and Families
- Cultural Responsiveness: Strong understanding and respect for tribal culture, traditions, and practices, recognizing that each Tribe is unique.
- Collaboration: Build trust and maintain respectful relationships with Tribes, tribal representatives, families, and system partners.
- Advocacy: Advocate for culturally responsive resources for youth and families within their Tribe and communities.
- Flexibility and Adaptability: Work in both tribal and non-tribal settings, adapting approaches to suit cultural needs.
- Humility and Partnership: Acknowledge that families, Indian children, and tribal representatives are the experts of their cultural and community needs, and ensure they are part of decision-making.
Responsibilities Across Wraparound Team Roles
Tribal Engagement and Connection
- Facilitate and support Indian children and families in exploring, identifying, and connecting with their tribal heritage.
- Build partnerships with tribal representatives to enhance engagement and ensure cultural alignment in service delivery.
- Encourage participation in Indian children and families’ tribal traditions, ceremonies, and events to foster cultural identity and belonging.
- Value the services and support that Tribes can offer
Service Coordination - Ensure Services Align With Tribal Values and are Culturally Appropriate Across all Wraparound Phases:
- Engagement: Build rapport and trust with tribal representatives, Indian children, families, natural supports, and others identified by the Tribe.
- Planning: Develop plans in collaboration and with input from Tribes.
- Implementation: Advocate for culturally responsive services and support.
- Transition: Ensure connection continues with Tribes post-Wraparound, as necessary.
Cultural Advocacy and Training
- Collaborate with system partners to raise awareness on the importance of tribal engagement and culturally responsive services, increase understanding of tribal sovereignty, traditions, and perspectives during Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings for non-tribal members.
- Promote the inclusion of tribal resources, natural supports, and culturally responsive services.
Case Management (Facilitator) and Documentation
- Conduct and document ongoing case management, including efforts to engage Tribes and coordinate services, ensure Active Efforts are provided and followed through on for all four phases of the wraparound process.
- Identify challenges and successes in integrating culturally responsive services and share lessons learned to improve future collaboration.
- Ensure all services reflect the importance of cultural considerations and tribal collaboration.
Collaboration with Tribes, Tribal Representatives, and Service Providers
- Foster ongoing communication and partnerships with tribal representatives and service providers to ensure continuity of care and cultural considerations are made.
- Align system efforts to respect tribal sovereignty and promote collaborative decision-making.
- Work collaboratively with natural supports and extended family as defined by the Tribe.
Implementation Guidance for Wraparound Teams
- Shared Accountability: All Wraparound team members share responsibility for actively engaging with tribal representatives (identified team members), understanding the cultural needs of families, and advocating for culturally responsive services.
- Ongoing Training and Support: Teams should participate in regular training on tribal engagement, cultural responsiveness, and the integration of the Tribes values into Wraparound practices.
- Flexible Approaches: Recognize and adapt to the unique dynamics of each Tribe, fostering partnerships that are respectful of tribal sovereignty and traditions.
- Continuous Improvement: Use feedback from youth, families, and tribal representatives to refine practices and ensure meaningful collaboration.
Necessary Knowledge, Experience, and Skill of Wraparound Team Members
- Awareness of Tribes and tribal cultures, governance, and traditions.
- Familiarity with the Wraparound process and its core principles.
- Familiarity with state and local systems of care (i.e., child welfare, behavioral health, education, juvenile justice, and Tribes).
- Experience working with American Indian/Alaska Native communities is preferred, but willingness to learn is essential.
- Ability to build relationships and communicate effectively.
- Ability to collaborate across diverse cultural and systemic environments.
- Commitment to cultural humility and advocacy.