- Would all the departments involved in the county create a portal submission or would the county department taking the lead submit the plan jointly be the one creating the county portal account?
- Each county creates only one Portal account and has one submission. Counties are required to create a joint submission between child welfare, mental health plans and probation. The county decides who will take the lead in the submission.
- Does a county submit a plan through the Portal if they contract with a provider for their High Fidelity Wraparound services?
- Yes, every county will submit through the Portal whether they provide High Fidelity Wraparound directly or if they contract with a provider(s).
- Can there be more than one provider per county? For example: for Child Welfare, Probation and Mental Health Plans, would they have to have the same provider? Or can they have separate providers?
- Yes, there can be more than one provider per county. The county will still only have one submission through the Portal.
- If I am already contracted with a county as a child welfare and Aftercare Wraparound provider, do I still have to get certified, and when? Does this impact my contract?
- Yes, due to the requirement that all counties must contract with a certified provider. Once the letter is released, there will be a year to complete the certification process. The contract is not affected during that time.
- What if there are county policies that prohibit meeting the Standards in the Portal?
- If there are Standards that are currently not included in contracts with providers, the one-year timeframe (12 months from the date of this ACL) allows time to adjust county policies and contract language to reflect the High Fidelity Wraparound Standards.
- What if I work in a county with a unique program model? For example, a county which contracts with another county entity for Wraparound services or operates a hybrid program.
- If there are Standards that are currently not included in contracts with providers, the one-year timeframe (12 months from the date of this ACL) allows time to adjust county policies and contract language to reflect the High Fidelity Wraparound Standards.
- What if I work in a county with a unique program model? For example, a county which contracts with another county entity for Wraparound services or operates a hybrid program.
- Counties will have one submission regardless of contracting and funding structure. Counties that contract with other county entities should coordinate to submit a singular plan that demonstrates compliance with the California High Fidelity Wraparound Standards.
- Do I need to be certified if I am a provider who exclusively serves youth and families through the Adoption Assistance program?
- At this time, HFW aftercare requirements do not apply to the Adoption Assistance Program (AAP). However, the certification portal is available to all providers of Wraparound in CA, including those Wraparound service providers whose Wraparound services are paid through the Adoption Assistance program. Additionally, once providers are certified they will be added to a list of certified providers on the UC Davis Resource Center for Family Focused Practice website.
- What is the certification list?
- Once a High Fidelity Wraparound service provider is certified, they will be added to a list housed on the UC Davis Resource Center for Family Focused Practice website.
- What if a provider has multiple programs in multiple counties?
- Providers will have one submission even if they contract with multiple counties. The submission will reflect a singular and unified High Fidelity Wraparound model, any specifics that vary by county in the “Description of Practice” field. The Portal will not accept multiple submissions from the same provider.
- Can CDSS extend the 12-month timeline for certification?
- No, statute prohibits an extension, but applicants are encouraged to reach out on an individual basis as soon as possible, if there are concerns.
- What if a county has multiple provider contracts?
- If a county has multiple Wrapround provider contracts, the supporting documents must represent the county’s singular and unified High Fidelity Wraparound program across all contracted providers. Submissions for multiple Wraparound programs from the same county will not be accepted.
- Will counties and providers have to recertify?
Providers must recertify three years from the date of the providers’ original certification. Counties must submit future updates to the CDSS or designee, based on any modifications to its local plan, including, but not limited to, significant program policy, practice, funding, contract, or workforce changes.- Will there be Technical Assistance available?
- The CDSS, in partnership with the Resource Center for Family-Focused Practice, offers coaching and consultation to county agencies and service providers who are part of the California Children and Youth System of Care. To request TA coaching and/or consultation please contact us. For more information and resources, visit the California High Fidelity Wraparound Standards Toolkit, the CDSS Wraparound webpage, the UC Davis Resource Center for Family-Focused Practice (RCFFP) webpage, or email [email protected]. There will also be “office hours” and webinars available.
- Is it a requirement for a county to participate in Technical Assistance?
- Counties are encouraged to request technical assistance if they have questions or need clarification regarding their submission. If counties do not participate in technical assistance and support, or do not make sufficient progress in addressing unimplemented Standards, claims for the aftercare funding pursuant to CFL 21/22-36, CFL 21/22-57 and CFL 23/24-30 may be denied. In addition, certification will not be given if the provider is not successful in achieving alignment with all High Fidelity Wraparound Standards.
- Can counties contract with a provider for High Fidelity Wraparound who is not certified?
- No, counties must contract with certified providers to provide High Fidelity Wraparound services. If a county is not utilizing High Fidelity Wraparound for aftercare services their FFPSA funds could be affected.
- Does a youth receiving AAP funding qualify for aftercare?
- FFPSA Part IV aftercare requirements only apply to youth in foster care and do not apply to an adopted youth eligible for the Adoption Assistance Program (AAP). Counties may support adoptive parents receiving AAP benefits on behalf of their AAP eligible child to identify certified HFW providers, as necessary. For more information on AAP policies as it relates to HFW, please email the AAP mailbox at [email protected].
- Do High Fidelity Wraparound aftercare services apply to youth who have been given a 14-day notice from a Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) and they are placed in a temporary placement (not family-based) until a STRTP placement is determined?
- No, High Fidelity Wraparound aftercare services do not apply because the youth is not transitioning to a family-based placement, but Wraparound services may be utilized through alternate funding sources other than the aftercare allocations.
- Do counties that are contracting with providers need to submit their own documentation or can they upload their providers documentation?
- Every county will have their individual submission in the Portal and every provider will have their individual submission in the Portal. Counties are required to upload documentation that shows their processes for keeping providers accountable to each specific standard. This could be a variety of documents, i.e. quarterly reports, policy and procedures, contracts, scope of work, etc. Also, the contract needs to state that the county is ensuring the provider is meeting the High Fidelity Wraparound Standards.
- Can Aftercare allocations be used for travel expenses related to visiting families in their homes?
- Yes, the CFL below lists qualified activities that can be charged to the Aftercare allocation and travel expenses is an approved activity.
https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/Additional-Resources/Letters-and-Notices/CFLs/2022/21-22_36.pdf - Does the Aftercare allocation include a month for transition?
- Yes, the allocation covers a one-month transition period prior to the youth transitioning from a STRTP, Community Treatment Facility, or an out-of-state residential facility to a family-based setting.
- Are extensions using Aftercare funds available for families beyond 6 months?
- No, if a youth still requires Wraparound support after the 6-month time period, alternate funding sources must be utilized to pay for services.
- Who should be involved in the development of the transition plan?
- In the development of the aftercare support plan, the STRTP, CFT, Tribes in the case of an Indian child, and HFW county or provider shall review and develop transition plans which include, as appropriate, the QI recommendations.
- Do counties need to document Wraparound services in CWS/CMS?
- Yes, per ACL 21-116, it is required for both child welfare and probation to enter a Wraparound Special Projects Code to document any youth receiving Wraparound.
- Are non-dependent youth and voluntary placements required to receive High Fidelity Wraparound aftercare services?
- Yes, the federal requirements do not differentiate between dependent and non-dependent youth in regard to receiving six months of aftercare post transition.
- What if a youth or family declines participating in Wraparound?
- High Fidelity Wraparound follows the principles of family voice and choice, meaning families and youth must be offered the service clearly and allowed to voluntarily decline. Counties must fulfill their due diligence in offering HFW services. Declining must be informed, documented, and should occur after the family has been given adequate information and the opportunity to ask questions.
- If a youth or family declines High Fidelity Wraparound services, how does the county document this in CWS/CMS?
- If a youth or family declines High Fidelity Wraparound services, counties are required to document the information in the CWS/CMS Contact Notebook.
- Are there a certain number of training hours required for HFW certification?
- Currently, no. The requirements are based on submitted documentation which provides proof of alignment with the High Fidelity Wraparound Standards and meets the requirements outlined in the Portal.
- Family First Prevention Services (FFPSA) FAQs
https://humanservices.ucdavis.edu/subject-areas/ffpsa-part-iv/FAQ#after
