Values, Principles, and Beliefs of the Wraparound Practice Model 600-05-01-10

(Revised 9/1/11 ML #3274)  

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PI-14-08

The North Dakota Department of Human Services’ Children and Family Services Division and the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Division have adopted the following values to support Wraparound as the model of practice for the service delivery system:

1. Unconditional commitment to working with families and children is provided.

1. A commitment to never giving up on children and families while keeping children safe.
2. Families are treated with respect, honesty and openness.
3. The family’s language is utilized and jargon is avoided.
4. Setbacks may reflect the changing needs of family members, not resistance.

2. The process is team driven.

1. Partnering with other systems and natural supports of families helps bridge the complexity of the work.
2. Families, children, natural supports, conventional supports and agencies are all part of the team.
3. A multi system assessment is completed to provide the family with necessary resources.
4. Collaboration between systems and team members is important in building and delivering effective services to families through the sharing of core values, beliefs and principles.
5. The multi system approach provides shared risk with involved families.
6. The team approach provides for an integrated system of care.

3. Families are full and active partners and colleagues in the process.

1. Safety is paramount in all programs and systems; choices are made to ensure that children, families and communities are safe.
2. The family’s view is respected. Families are the experts with their own children.
3. The expertise of the system is valuable when discussing “bottom lines” such as: legal mandates, court orders, negotiable and non-negotiable rules/policies etc. The system can let go of power and allow families to make decisions when safety is assured.
4. Family members have clear voice and choice in the process. They are full members in all aspects of the planning, delivery, management and evaluation of services and supports.

1. Voice: The family is listened to, heard and valued. The skills and knowledge of the family members are essential to the change process.
2. Choice: Families are provided information on choice and identifying where choices exist and where there are limitations on choice. The outcomes of different choices are discussed.

5. Wraparound is a joint decision making process with the family rather than “deciding for” the family.

4. The Child and Family Team process focuses on strengths and competencies of families, not on deficiencies and problems.

1. Services and supports are built on strengths that are unique to the family and child.
2. Strengths discovery is central to getting to know the family.
3. Strengths are utilized in addressing the safety needs of the child and family.
4. Strengths are utilized in developing and implementing the care plan with the family.

5. Care Plans are outcome based.

1. The needs of all family members are identified and addressed in the care plan.
2. Goals and tasks with measurable outcomes are established to address change rather than compliance.
3. Family members are full partners in establishing care plans.
4. The care plan is utilized across systems.
5. The Wraparound Practice Model provides outcome oriented plans rather than compliance based plans.

6. Services are culturally responsive.

1. Each family is culturally unique.
2. Cultural diversity is valued and respected.
3. Differences are valued as strengths.
4. The impact of culture on Wraparound Practitioner and agencies is recognized and understood.

7. Services and care plans are individualized to meet the needs of children and families.

1. Care plans are flexible in nature.
2. The family and children should have access to services they need.
3. Services and supports can be coordinated into one plan.

8. Resources and supports, both in and out of the family, are utilized for solutions.

1. The family is key in identifying supports.
2. A balance of formal and informal, natural and conventional supports is utilized.
3. The community is recognized and respected as a key resource and support.

9. People are the greatest resource to one another.

1. Family Engagement: The key to success in the child and family team process is building positive and strong relationships between the Wraparound Practitioner and the family members.