Archived News

March 2012 WFI-EZ seeks pilot testers!

WERT is currently developing a brief, self-report version of the Wraparound Fidelity Index. The goal is to create a reliable and valid measure of adherence to the wraparound principles that is less burdensome and time consuming than the full WFI interview protocol. We are currently referring to this instrument as the WFI-EZ.

Though we want to create a version of the WFI that is quicker for families to complete and more feasible for sites to administer, the WFI-EZ must still be reliable and valid. It must also tap into the same constructs as the full WFI interview, results from which have been found to be associated with youth and family outcomes. To do this, we need to pilot a version of the WFI-EZ with parents/caregivers who also complete a full WFI interview.

This is where you, as one of our most trusted collaborators, can get involved!

We are seeking WFI-4 collaborator sites that are willing to administer a pilot version of the WFI-EZ to caregivers. These respondents (caregivers only, no facilitators or youths) will be provided a WFI-EZ form, and will complete it using paper and pen(cil) or via online survey. These caregivers may or may not also receive a WFI-4, depending on your preferences.

The pilot WFI-EZ is longer than the WFI-EZ ultimately will be. It consists of 39 items (plus a few intro items), most of which are rated on a five point scale. We will provide you with a copy of the form as well as a link to the web survey. Your job would be to give parents their confidential ID number, get them to complete the form in the format they prefer, and forward these de-identified data to our team. We have IRB approval to compile such data from collaborating sites so long as identifying data is not included.

Sites that agree to participate in this pilot test, and that can provide data from 10 or more caregivers will also be provided with free, unlimited use of the first version of the WFI-EZ for one year after its release.

If you are interested in being a collaborator on the development of the WFI-EZ in this way, please contact April Sather at sathea@uw.edu.

We look forward to hearing from you!

All the best,

Eric and April - Wraparound Evaluation and Research Team

May 2010

The Wraparound Evaluation and Research Team is the accountability and evaluation wing of the National Wraparound Initiative. The NWI is launching its new website this month, as well as a new membership drive that will help connect individuals, organizations, and communities who are involved in wraparound implementation. Check out all the details at the new NWI website: www.nwi.pdx.edu.

April 28, 2010 WFI PSYCHOMETRICS

WERT is happy to present the latest results of our extensive analysis of the psychometric properties of the Wraparound Fidelity Index, version 4, facilitated by a grant from the National Institute for Mental Health (R41-MH077356). The document presents characteristics of the WFI-4, as well as a summary of results from relevant reliability and validity studies conducted on the WFI-4 and previous versions of the WFI. Reliability and validity results are based on specific studies that have been conducted and published in peer-reviewed publications or presented at national conferences. To download, click here.

April 10, 2010 SUMMARY OF THE WRAPAROUND EVIDENCE BASE

The National Wraparound Initiative's "Resource Guide to Wraparound" includes an article written in 2008 that reviews wraparound outcome studies to date. A 2010 update by the original authors, Eric Bruns and Jesse Suter, is now available. The update gives an extensive overview and summary of the body of evidence and concerns for wraparound as an evidence based practice. Click here to download the PDF.

April 1, 2010

KBCS radio featured a story on Washington State and the National Wraparound Initiative as the second feature of a two part series "Cruel Choices". To hear the story click here.

July 1, 2009 Team Observation Measure (TOM) ROLLOUT

As you may know, over the past year and a half, the Wraparound Evaluation and Research Team has been pilot testing the Team Observation Measure (TOM) and its associated supports. If you have been a pilot testing site, thank you so much for your help in this process!

As of July 1, 2009, we will be accepting requests for collaboration from sites and programs that wish to use the TOM. Users may use the TOM alone, or in conjunction with other Wraparound Fidelity Assessment System (WFAS) tools, such as the WFI-4 or Community Supports for Wraparound Inventory (CSWI). TOM collaborators will have access to the following materials:

• TOM forms and any future updates to the forms
• TOM User's Manual
• TOM data entry shells in Excel and SPSS
• TOM training presentation in PowerPoint
• Access to the Wraparound Online Data Entry and Reporting System (WONDERS), available in Early Fall 2009
• TOM Observer Training Toolkit

The TOM Observer Training Toolkit includes a pre-recorded sample team meeting with associated sample administration. The sample administration includes a TOM score sheet with scoring explanations. Collaborating sites will be expected to use the toolkit to train observers to use the tool.

To download a copy of the collaborator agreement, click here.

If you have any question, or would like to become a TOM collaborator, email WERT at wrapeval@uw.edu.

February 13, 2009 CSWI AVAILABLE FOR COLLABORATORS' USE!

WERT is now accepting requests for collaboration from communities that wish to utilize the Community Supports for Wraparound Inventory (CSWI). The CSWI is a research and quality improvement tool intended to measure how well a local system supports the implementation of the wraparound process. The CSWI is based on the framework of Necessary Conditions described by Walker, Koroloff and Schutte (2003), and presents 42 community or system variables that ideally are in place in communities that aim to implement the wraparound process. The CSWI is somewhat unique from the other WFAS instruments in that it assesses the system context for wraparound as opposed to the fidelity to the practice model for an individual child and family.

Costs associated with use of the CSWI range depending on size of the community assessed. A standard community will be charged $1200, and this includes implementation of the survey, as well as a complete report of results. Some community assessments that are larger in scale (e.g., statewide or a county with multiple regions), will be charged additionally for each sub-community assessed. For an example of the CSWI report, click here.

If you have any questions, or would like to become a CSWI collaborator, email WERT at wrapeval@u.washington.edu.

June 22, 2008 HELP US IMPROVE OUR WEBSITE!

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October 21, 2007 WFI TRAINING TOOLKIT AVAILABLE FOR COLLABORATORS' USE!

As of August, we have been accepting requests for collaboration from sites and programs that wish to use the WFI-4. WFI-4 collaborators get access to the following materials:

• The four WFI-4 respondent forms (Caregiver, Facilitator, Youth, and Team Member) plus Demographics form,
• WFI-4 User's Manual,
• WFI-4 Data entry shells in Excel and SPSS format,
• A WFI-4 training presentation in Power Point format, and
• The WFI-4 Interviewer Training Toolkit

The WFI-4 Interviewer Training Toolkit is an important new support to the WFI-4. It includes five CDs with eight pre-recorded WFI-4 sample administrations. Each sample administration also includes a corresponding WFI-4 score sheet and scoring explanations. Collaborating sites are expected to use the Training Toolkit to expose prospective interviewers to multiple WFI-4 interviews and train them to score the WFI-4 accurately.

If you have any questions regarding the WFI-4, or any of the other WFAS tools, please look at our WFAS Overview with our comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions document. If you would like to review or complete the Collaborator's Agreement form, just go to the tab marked "Becoming a WFI-4 Collaborator" on this webpage. If you still have questions, feel free to email us at wrapeval@u.washington.edu.

Best regards,
Eric, April and the Wraparound Evaluation and Research Team

October 1, 2007

We continue to pilot test the other components of the Wraparound Fidelity Assessment System, including the Team Observation Measure and Document Review Measure. Collaborators who use these measures will be provided Userís Manuals, training materials, and supports for data entry and reporting at no cost or very low cost in exchange for help with our piloting process. If you are interested in using either of these tools, please contact us, as we still need pilot testing communities!

August 22, 2007

An exciting new development: WERT is currently developing the WFI-4 Online Data Entry and Reporting System. This web-based system will allow licensed users to enter their WFI-4 data using a web portal that will compile their WFI-4 data into one exportable database, regardless of how many people are entering data, and regardless of where they are located. This system will allow the user sites to automatedly create a number of different fidelity reports at their convenience. This system will be launched in early 2008, and will be available to all licensed collaborators. Our thanks to Accountability Solutions of Santa Fe New Mexico for their help in developing this system!

August 22, 2007 WFI-4 ROLLOUT

As you may know, over the past year, the Wraparound Evaluation and Research Team (WERT) has been pilot testing the Wraparound Fidelity Index, version 4, and tools to support its use in communities and programs. Thanks for your patience during this time. If you have been a pilot testing site, thanks very much for your help in this process!

As of August 27, 2007, we will be accepting requests for collaboration from sites and programs that wish to use the WFI-4. WFI-4 collaborators will now have access to the following materials:

The four WFI-4 respondent forms (Caregiver, Facilitator, Youth, and Team Member) plus Demographics form,

WFI-4 User's Manual, WFI-4 Data entry shells in Excel and SPSS format, A WFI-4 training presentation in Power Point format, and The WFI-4 Interviewer Training Toolkit

The WFI-4 Interviewer Training Toolkit is an important new support to the WFI-4. It includes five CDs with eight pre-recorded WFI-4 sample administrations. Each sample administration also includes a corresponding WFI-4 score sheet and scoring explanations. Collaborating sites are expected to use the Training Toolkit to expose prospective interviewers to multiple WFI-4 interviews and train them to score the WFI-4 accurately.

Another exciting new development: WERT is currently developing the WFI-4 Online Data Entry and Reporting System. This web-based system will allow licensed users to enter their WFI-4 data using a web portal that will compile their WFI-4 data into one exportable database, regardless of how many people are entering data, and regardless of where they are located. This system will allow the user sites to automatedly create a number of different fidelity reports at their convenience. This system will be launched on or about January 1, 2008, and will be available to all licensed collaborators.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the amount of staff time and overall resources dedicated to our Research Team's efforts continues to increase. As a result, costs for being a WFI collaborator also have increased. We are asking new collaborator sites to agree to an initial $800 user's fee, as well as an annual $500 license fee. Collaborators that renew their license annually will automatically receive new or revised WFI-4 support materials and unlimited access to the new Online Data Entry and Reporting System. WFI-4 pilot sites and past WFI-3 collaborators will not be required to pay the initial user's fee, but we will ask for the annual license fee. (Student collaborators or small programs for whom these fees represent a burden can request a reduction or waiver of fees. Just email us to discuss further.)

Over the next month or so, we will be revamping this website to support WFI-4 collaborators more fully, including on-line completion of Collaborator's Agreements and downloading of WFI-4 materials. In the short term, if you are interested in becoming a collaborating site for the WFI-4, please complete and sign the Collaborator's agreement. Once we have received your agreement, we will send materials for your use by email and snail mail (e.g., Interviewer Training Toolkit CDs) as well as an invoice for the appropriate amount of required payment.

We are excited to be moving forward with full dissemination of the WFI-4, and to continue to pilot test the other components of the Wraparound Fidelity Assessment System, including the Team Observation Measure and Document Review Measure. If you are interested in using either of these tools, please contact us, as we still need pilot testing communities!

If you have any questions regarding the WFI-4, or any of the other WFAS tools, please look at our comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions document. If you still have questions, feel free to email us at wrapeval@u.washington.edu.

Best regards,
Eric, April and the Wraparound Evaluation and Research Team

May 4, 2007 WFI-4 UPDATE

As of May 4, 2007, the WFI-4 pilot will come to a close, and we will stop enlisting collaborating pilot sites. Over the next three months, we will be using the data we have collected and feedback we have received to refine the WFI-4, its user's manual, and training materials. Full dissemination of the WFI-4 will begin August 1, 2007.

Current pilot sites may continue to collect data and use the measure as agreed in the WFI-4 Pilot Site Collaborator Agreement. If you are interested in becoming a collaborator, effective August 1, 2007, please email us at wrapeval@u.washington.edu and we will put you on a list of communities and sites to be contacted with information regarding how to access WFI-4 resources. This information should be available no later than July 1, 2007.

We are excited to be moving forward with full dissemination of the WFI-4, and to continue to pilot test the other components of the Wraparound Fidelity Assessment System, including the Team Observation Measure and Documentation of the Wraparound Process. If you are interested in using either of these tools, please contact us, as we still need pilot testing communities!

Please click here for a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding the use of the WFI-4 and other WFAS instruments. If you have any questions regarding the WFI-4, or any of the other WFAS tools, please email wrapeval@u.washington.edu.

Best regards,

Eric, April and the Wraparound Evaluation and Research Team

April 1, 2007 Various PowerPoint presentations from the 20th Annual Conference "A system of care for children's mental health: Expanding the research base," in Tampa, Florida, March 4-7, 2007 are now available. Click here to view the slides from the following presentations:

Pilot test of the Wraparound Fidelity Index, Version 4

Development and pilot test of the Community Supports for Wraparound Inventory

Intensive methodology workshop: Using evaluation to implement wraparound and sustain fidelity

Pilot testing of three new fidelity measures

1/25/07 Pilot testing is underway for the WFI-4, and we need more collaborators!

The Wraparound Fidelity Index, version 4, has been updated to more fully align with the Phases and Activities of Wraparound as specified by the National Wraparound Initiative (see www.rtc.pdx.edu/nwi). The WFI-4 includes 40-item forms for Wraparound Facilitators, Caregivers, and Team Members, with each of the 10 principles of wraparound assessed via 4 items. There is also a 32-item Youth form. The WFI-4 is supported by a comprehensive User's Manual, a power point presentation for use in training interviewers, and SPSS and Excel data entry shells.

If you are interested in using the newest version of the WFI, please email wrapeval@u.washington.edu to see a sample copy. Programs and communities that participate in the pilot will be asked to complete a request for collaboration, agree to several terms of use, and pay a small user's fee, for unlimited use of the WFI-4.

We are also happy to announce that communities will soon be able to participate in pilot testing of the complete Wraparound Fidelity Assessment System (WFAS). This includes the interviews of the WFI-4, the Community Supports for Wraparound Inventory (see below for more information), A Document Review for Wraparound measure, and Team Observation Measure (TOM).

If you would like to hear more about this pilot, and sign up for more information about using this complete set of fidelity instruments, please email us at wrapeval@u.washington.edu. You may also click here for a brief description of the WFAS.

11/01/2006 Community Supports for Wraparound Inventory (CSWI) will soon be available for use in pilot sites!

The CSWI is a research and quality improvement tool intended to measure how well a local system supports the implementation of the wraparound process. The CSWI is based on the framework of Necessary Conditions described by Walker, Koroloff and Schutte (2003), and presents 40 community or system variables that must be in place to support wraparound.

The CSWI can be used in several ways:

• First, it results in a quantified assessment of community supports for wraparound across multiple domains, so that researchers can determine the impact of these conditions on fidelity and outcomes of the wraparound process.
• Second, it presents these scores across multiple domains (such as funding, collaboration, and accountability) so that evaluators and stakeholders can understand the full context for wraparound implementation as part of their local evaluation projects.
• Third, items and domains are structured in an intuitive fashion so that local groups can assess community supports for wraparound, respond to areas of strength and weakness, and monitor improvements over time.

The CSWI will be ready for pilot testing in November 2006. If you are interested in becoming a pilot site, or if you have any questions, please contact the Wraparound Research & Evaluation team at: wrapeval@u.washington.edu.

2/24/2006 - The Wraparound Evaluation and Research Team has begin an initial pilot of a caregiver version of the Wraparound Fidelity Index, version 4. The WFI-4 is intended to better assess fidelity to the specific activities of the wraparound process specified by the National Wraparound Initiative, as well as improve upon several problematic aspects of the WFI-3. Results of the initial pilot, which included assessment of fidelity for 60 youths in seven sites in five states, have been presented as a poster at the Annual Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health Conference in Tampa. To download a copy of this poster, click here. If you are interested in seeing a copy of the Pilot WFI-4, becoming a pilot site for the WFI-4, or being placed on our mailing list for announcements about this and other measures that are under development, please email us at wrapeval@u.washington.edu.

10/10/2005 - A formal report on the results of our effort to establish fidelity standards for those using the WFI-3 has been completed. This report was submitted to the Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health at the University of South Florida for publication in the Proceedings of their Annual Conference. To view this report, which includes information about fidelity norms using the WFI-3, click here.

3/16/2005 - The Wraparound Evaluation and Research Team website has been updated and officially "re-launched" from the University of Washington, Division of Public Behavioral Health and Justice Policy. We will now be better supported to help communities use the WFI-3 from our new base at UW. Check out our new content! Also, note that procedures for reviewing the WFI-3 and becoming a collaborating community have also been updated.

3/7/2005 - The Wraparound Evaluation and Research Team presented recent findings from the national WFI-3 dataset at the 18th Annual Research Conference on Systems of Care and Children's Mental Health in Tampa. Results extend our understanding of the psychometrics of the WFI and levels of fidelity found in the field. Click here to see the presentation. The information will also be incorporated into future versions of the WFI manual and will be used to help communities interpret their WFI fidelity results.

12/19/2004 - Initial changes to our website our complete. Please note the new  collaboration process. On-line forms for requesting the WFI for review and requests for collaboration have been updated. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

12/14/2004 - Changes are underway for our collaboration process. Over the next week we will be updating our website to reflect these changes. In the meantime if you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

12/11/2004 - WERT is part of the National Wraparound Initiative - a collaborative group seeking to improve understanding and implementation of high quality wraparound.