The Wraparound Evaluation and Research Team is committed to supporting utilization-focused evaluation that prioritizes the collection and use of data and information that meets key information needs of Wraparound initiatives, provider agencies, and other stakeholders. UW WERT also conducts rigorous research in the service of advancing knowledge of Wraparound, care management, and evidence-based practices in children's behavioral health.
Utilization-Focused Evaluation Services
WERT works collaboratively with stakeholders to design and execute evaluations to meet the information needs of local and state Wraparound initiatives. Often these evaluations focus on collecting and analyzing Wraparound implementation, fidelity, and outcomes data. Examples of recent projects include:
- An ongoing, quarterly evaluation of Wraparound and Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST) implementation and outcomes for youth in a large multi-county public mental health system. WERT partners with a local family organization to collect the data so families can remain anonymous. WERT has been providing quarterly data analysis and reporting to this Wraparound initiative for several years, allowing them to compare their performance over time as various program- and state-level changes have been implemented.
- A randomized control trial comparing outcomes achieved by a pilot Wraparound program and "treatment as usual" for foster care youth who are also involved in the juvenile justice system. This project is following a block randomized sample of 65 "dually-involved" youth for two years, using administrative, fidelity, and implementation data. It includes feedback from local service providers and stakeholders, and is in the service of informing future program planning and resource allocation at the county level.
- Evaluation of training effectiveness, Wraparound implementation and fidelity, and child/family outcomes for multiple states receiving training and TA from the National Wraparound Implementation Center (NWIC).
For more information about opportunities to partner with WERT on evaluation, please contact us at wrapeval@uw.edu.
Research to Advance the Field of Wraparound
WERT frequently garners external funding to support research activities exploring various areas of interest to the Wraparound field. Current examples include:
- A National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II grant to complete development and evaluate the usability and effectiveness of the WrapLogic variant of Fidelity EHR's, (formerly Social TecKnowledgy) TMS electronic behavioral health information system (TMS-WrapLogic). TMS-WrapLogic is a web-based data collection, management, and feedback system designed to assist with the Wraparound process. WERT is currently conducting a randomized control trial in two sites to test the impact of TMS-WrapLogic, Wraparound fidelity, and youth and family outcomes.
- As part of our partnership with NTTAC, WERT is collecting large datasets of Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment data in order to provide the field with a better understanding of the strengths and needs of Wraparound-enrolled youth and families, typical trajectories of change for these families, and how best to support the implementation of CANS in Wraparound initiatives.
- Evaluation of the feasibility and effectiveness of coordinating Wraparound with PracticeWise's Managing and Adapting Practice (MAP) system for implementing evidence-based treatment elements, to improve effectiveness of clinical services in Wraparound and outcomes for enrolled children and youths.