Every family brings with them a unique set of values, traditions, and cultural practices. At the heart of the High Fidelity Wraparound model is a deep respect for those unique cultural identities. Embracing each family’s identity leads to plans that fit the family’s belief system and can better accommodate a family’s goals.
What Culturally-Competent Means in Wraparound
Cultural competence means actively honoring and integrating a family’s culture, beliefs, and community into every step of care planning and service delivery. Teams take time to learn what is meaningful to the family and build on those strengths.
For example:
A family’s faith tradition might be an essential source of resilience and should be included as part of the support system.
Materials and conversations should happen in the family’s preferred language, with interpreters when needed.
Understanding generational or cultural views on mental health helps teams approach sensitive topics with respect and openness.
Recognizing and leveraging community-based supports that reflect the family’s cultural context can more comfortably integrate with the family.
Why Cultural Competence Matters to Families
Cultural competence helps reduce miscommunication, prevent unnecessary conflict, and create plans that truly fit each family’s life. The importance of cultural responsiveness is well-documented in the behavioral health and child welfare fields. When families perceive services as culturally respectful, engagement increases and plans are more sustainable.
How Cultural Competence Benefits Families
- Engagement increases. Families are more willing to participate in the Wraparound process when their identities and traditions are acknowledged.
- Trust is strengthened. This creates a foundation for collaborative problem-solving.
- Plans are more sustainable. Strategies that align with family and community values are more likely to succeed long-term.
- Disparities are reduced. Many marginalized communities face unequal access to care. Cultural competence helps close those gaps by making support accessible and meaningful.
How A Wraparound Team Ensures Cultural Competence
Asking, Not Assuming: Teams ask families about their values, traditions, and preferences instead of making assumptions.
Language Access: Materials, meetings, and services are delivered in the family’s preferred language whenever possible.
Actively engaging natural supports. Extended family, faith leaders, cultural organizations, and community networks are recognized as vital resources.
Celebrate Identity: Goals and strategies honor traditions, celebrations, and ways of life that give the family strength.
High Fidelity Wraparound is about building plans that succeed based on who, and where, a family is. Wraparound celebrates the identity of each family and uses culture as a foundation for healing and growth. Paying attention to being culturally-competent helps Wraparound teams build plans that are family-driven, equitable, and effective. By weaving culture into the fabric of support, pathways are created that feel authentic, are sustainable, and empower families to meet their goals.
SOURCES
National Wraparound Initiative (2021). Wraparound Practice Standards. Portland State University.Bruns, E. J. & Walker, J. S. (2008). The Wraparound Process: An Overview of Implementation Essentials. National Wraparound Initiative. https://nwi.pdx.edu/NWI-book/Chapters/Bruns-5a.2-(implementation-essentials).pdf National Wraparound Initiative (NWI)
National Wraparound Initiative (2021). Wraparound Implementation and Practice Quality Standards. Portland State University School of Social Work. https://nwi.pdx.edu/pdf/Wraparound-implementation-and-practice-quality-standards.pdf
National Wraparound Initiative (NWI)“What is Wraparound?” (Introduction to Wraparound). National Wraparound Initiative. https://nwi.pdx.edu/wraparound-basics/ National Wraparound Initiative (NWI)
Cross, T., Bazron, B., Dennis, K., & Isaacs, M. (1989). Towards a Culturally Competent System of Care. CASSP Technical Assistance Center.
Isaacs, M. R., & Benjamin, M. P. (1991). Towards a Culturally Competent System of Care: Vol. II. Programs Which Utilize Culturally Competent Principles. CASSP Technical Assistance Center.
