What is High Fidelity Wraparound (HFW)?
High Fidelity Wraparound (HFW) is a team-based process that engages families caring for children with complex needs. It results in solutions that allow children to be at home with community-based support and services. The Child and Family Team (team) develops a Plan of Care that includes services, supports, tasks and timelines. This plan is updated each month at the team meeting. Families have the the opportunity to engage with Family Support Partners who can offer support, advocacy and share knowledge with caregivers. Family Support Partners are parents who have firsthand experience raising youth with complex needs. They, along with Facilitators, guide the process and ensure the family, youth and team stay focused on the family vision. While Facilitators are Qualified Mental Health Professionals or Licensed Mental Health Professionals, HFW is not therapy, it is an evidence-based intensive care coordination process.
Alexandria HFW is part of a network of HFW providers across Virginia that collaborate through and receive technical assistance from the Virginia Wraparound Center of Excellence, a partnership between the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and the Office of Children’s Services.
HFW Principles
Wraparound is a research-based practice model. The process is tied to 10 principles:
- Strengths Based
- Family Voice and Choice
- Team Based
- Culturally Competent
- Individualized
- Natural Supports
- Collaboration
- Community Based
- Outcome Based
- Unconditional Care
More Information on the HFW Process
Phases and Timeline
How is this process different from other team processes?
- HFW believes that FAMILIES DRIVE THEIR CARE and when given the opportunity to create individualized plans, they get better outcomes
- Family Support Partners offer caregivers support through regular visits to build skills and share knowledge
- Plans of Care contain both traditional and non-traditional services and supports; no one service alone will address the complex and persistent needs of the youth and family
- A facilitator organizes the process and helps teams stay on task
- HFW team meetings can substitute for treatment team meetings
What does it mean to be on a team?
HFW is a TEAM-BASED process where all team members provide input and support. Team members include natural and professional and supports identified by the family. Team members partner with the family to ensure the family’s plan is implemented. These tasks can include:
- Providing a professional service (i.e. therapy)
- Helping the caregiver track down information
- Brainstorming ideas for services and supports
- Facilitating access to services
- Supporting youth and family by attending functions
- Being a listening ear to the youth or caregiver
Active and engaged teams are vital to families’ success!
What happens when things don’t go as planned?
Crises occur; the goal is to plan and intervene, so they do not escalate and require higher levels of care. The team develops crisis plans within the first 14 days and follows the plan when there is a crisis. After a crisis the team reconvenes to debrief and adjust the crisis plan as needed.
Sometimes Plans of Care may not work and need to be adjusted. Wraparound believes that “Families Don’t Fail, Plans Do.” Even through tough times, team members stay together and rework the plan to find the right fit for the youth/caregiver.
How to Access High Fidelity Wraparound
We accept referrals for families who have children with serious behavioral health challenges and are involved in multiple systems (child welfare, juvenile justice, special education). To set up consultation, call 571.213.7963 or email DCHSYouthIntake@alexandriava.gov