MISSION
The Wraparound Evaluation and Research Team seeks to improve the lives of children and their families through research on the implementation and outcomes of the Wraparound process. Through development, refinement and dissemination of the Wraparound Fidelity Assessment System, our team aims to assist implementation of the Wraparound process, evaluate effectiveness, identify the need for technical assistance and training, and promote communication within the service delivery and research and evaluation fields.
HISTORY
Wraparound is a research-based care coordination process for youth with complex needs. It is an intensive, individualized care planning and management process and holistic way of engaging with individuals with complex needs (most typically children, youth, and their families) so that they can live in their homes and communities and realize their hopes and dreams. For an extensive description and background on Wraparound, please click here.
Wraparound care coordination is not the domain of any one developer, purveyor, or research team. It has evolved in response to the needs of youth, families, and the child-serving field since at least the 1980s.
Over time, Wraparound has been implemented in hundreds of communities nationally. To support the field, the Wraparound Evaluation and Research Team has developed a suite of tools called the Wraparound Fidelity Assessment System (WFAS) that measures adherence to the principles, activities, and key elements of Wraparound. Researchers at UW WERT have also conducted a meta-analysis of 16 controlled studies that found that Wraparound promotes more positive outcomes for youth and families than services as usual.
The best place to find a comprehensive source of information on the Wraparound process is the website of the National Wraparound Initiative. Here you will find a description of the phases and activities of Wraparound, principles of Wraparound, and necessary supports for Wraparound. You will also find an extensive, searchable library of resources, newsletters, webinars, and blog posts relevant to Wraparound and its implementation.
Members of the National Wraparound Initiative have also created several summary documents about Wraparound and its evidence base. Please click here to be directed to Wraparound resources on the website of the NWI.
In addition to an array of summary documents, you can also find several brief videos that can be helpful in explaining Wraparound to a broad audience, including an overview of Wraparound, building Wraparound support at a system level, and how to coordinate Wraparound with Evidence Based Practices.