Elevating Care: AFS’s Journey Toward High Fidelity Wraparound Certification
At Alternative Family Services (AFS), our mission since 1978 has been to provide thoughtful, informed support to vulnerable children and families in the Bay Area and greater Sacramento region. We are excited to share a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to this mission: AFS is currently working toward California High Fidelity Wraparound (HFW) certification.
This certification represents more than just a new title; it is a rigorous commitment to providing the highest standard of evidence-based care for the youth and families we serve.
AFS is currently working toward California High Fidelity Wraparound (HFW) certification.
This certification represents more than just a new title; it is a rigorous commitment to providing the highest standard of evidence-based care for the youth and families we serve.
What is High Fidelity Wraparound?
High Fidelity Wraparound is a team-based, youth and family-centered planning process designed to meet the complex needs of children with intensive mental or behavioral health challenges. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, HFW utilizes an “anything necessary” philosophy to ensure youth can remain safely in their homes or in the least restrictive community settings.
The model is built upon a number of core principles, including Family Voice and Choice, Natural Supports, and Strengths-Based. It moves through four distinct phases:
- Engagement: Building trust and identifying the team.
- Plan Development: Creating an individualized plan of care based on family needs.
- Implementation: Carrying out the plan and monitoring success.
- Transition: Preparing the family to sustain their progress using natural community supports.
What Does HFW Certification Mean for AFS?
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) are currently aligning state standards with national practice guidelines to ensure quality, high fidelity, and consistent practices across the state.
For AFS, pursuing this certification means we are demonstrating that our programs strictly adhere to these rigorous standards.
The certification process involves the following:
- Adhering to Statewide Standards: Ensuring every aspect of our service delivery aligns with the California Wraparound Standards.
- Rigorous Training and Coaching: Utilizing a High Fidelity training plan that includes ongoing coaching and supervision for all staff roles.
- Accountability: Implementing Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) efforts to regularly monitor our effectiveness and ensure we meet the desired outcomes for our families.
Why This Certification Benefits the Youth We Serve
The goal of High Fidelity Wraparound, according to the California Department of Health Care Services, is to keep youth “at home, in school, and out of trouble.” By achieving this certification, AFS ensures that our youth receive a model of care proven to deliver reliable, positive results.
Key benefits for our youth and families include:
- Improved Stability: Youth are more likely to experience permanency and stability in community-based living situations rather than institutional care.
- Better School and Community Life: Participation in HFW is linked to improved educational functioning, more consistent attendance, and higher engagement in community activities.
- Increased Caregiver Confidence: Caregivers gain the tools and support needed to effectively manage crises and navigate future challenges on their own.
- Health and Wellness: Studies show that High Fidelity Wraparound can lead to a reduction in psychiatric hospitalizations and emergency department visits for behavioral health.
By seeking High Fidelity Wraparound certification, AFS is reinforcing its role as a leader in Northern California’s foster care and mental health landscape. We believe that every child deserves a safe, stable, and permanent family environment, and we are proud to adopt the “gold standard” of care to make that vision a reality for the youth we serve.
Stay tuned to our blog for more updates as we continue this important journey!
