How, and Why, Does Wraparound Work: a Theory of Change
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This document was peer reviewed through the NWI. Theory and Research: Chapter 3.1 How, and Why, Does Wraparound Work: A Theory of Change Janet Walker, Co-Director, National Wraparound Initiative, and Research Associate Professor, Portland State University School of Social Work raparound has always had implicit associations with Wvarious psychosocial theories (Burchard, Bruns, & Bur- chard, 2002; Burns, Schoenwald, Burchard, Faw, & San- tos, 2000); however, until recently only preliminary efforts had been undertaken to explain in a thorough manner why the wraparound process should produce desired outcomes (Walker & Schutte, 2004). Using the foundation supplied by the specification of the principles (Bruns et al., 2004) and practice model (Walker et al., 2004) of wraparound, the National Wraparound Initiative (NWI) has proposed a more detailed theory of change to describe how and why wrap- around works. Figure 1 (see following page) provides an overview of this theory. Beginning at the left, the figure illustrates how, when wraparound is “true” to the principles and practice described by the NWI, the result is a wraparound process with certain characteristics. Moving across the figure to the right, the various boxes summarize the short-, intermedi- ate- and long-term outcomes that are expected to occur. The figure illustrates with arrows several “routes” by which the wraparound process leads to desired outcomes. It is important to remember, however, that this figure is a highly simplified representation of an extremely complex process. The various routes to change described here are not independent. They interact with and reinforce one an- other. Furthermore, the changes that emerge as a result of wraparound do not come about in a linear fashion, but rath- er through loops and iterations over time. Thus, an inter- mediate outcome that apparently emerges from one of the various “routes” may stimulate or reinforce a short-term The Resource Guide to Wraparound Ten principles of Short-term the Wraparound outcomes: Intermediate Process outcomes: • Follow-through on team Long-term • Enhanced outcomes: decisions effectiveness • Service/support of services and • Stable, strategies that supports, A wraparound home-like “fit” individually and process placements characterized by: • Service/ as a “package” • Improved men- support strate- tal health out- • High-quality planning gies based on comes (youth and problem solving strengths and caregiver) • Respect for values, • Improved • Improved culture, expertise service functioning in • Blending perspec- coordination school/ tives/ Collaboration • High satisfac- Intermediate vocation and • Family-driven, youth tion with/ outcomes: community guided goal structure engagement in • Program- and decisions wraparound • Increased resources and specific • Opportunities for • Experiences of capacity for outcomes choice efficacy and coping, • Achievement success • Individualization planning, and of team • Evaluation of problem solving mission strategies • Self-efficacy, • Increased • Recognition/ Cel- empowerment, assets optimism, self- ebration of success • Improved esteem resilience and • Social support quality of life and community integration Phases and • Achievement of Activities of the team goals Wraparound Process Figure 1. A Theory of Change for Wraparound: Overview Theory of Change for Wraparound: A Figure 1. Section 3: Theory and Research Section 3: 2 Chapter 3.1: Walker outcome that promotes changes through a differ- team members gain a clearer understanding of ent route. Finally, because wraparound is a highly the “problem” to be solved. Working through op- individualized process, the various “routes” to tions in this manner enables groups and teams to change outlined here will operate to a different be more creative and competent than individuals extent with different families and youth. After working separately at solving complex problems discussing the characteristics of the wraparound (Hirokawa, 1990; O’Connor, 1998; West, Borrill, & process and the main theoretical routes or mech- Unsworth, 1998). anisms of change, we will offer some specific ex- Once strategies have been selected, effective amples of this complexity. teams set and use clear, objective criteria for judging whether or not the strategies are helping Process: Effective, the team reach its goals (Cohen & Bailey, 1997; DeNisi & Kluger, 2000). Using these criteria, the Value-Driven Teamwork team can then monitor whether or not a strategy The theory assumes that, when wraparound is working, and can replace unsuccessful strate- is undertaken in accordance with the principles gies with different ones. Finally, team effective- and the practice model specified by the NWI, the ness is also enhanced when teams acknowledge result is an effective team process that capital- and celebrate success (Latham & Seijts, 1999). izes on the expertise and commitment of all team The NWI’s practice model for wraparound members while also prioritizing the perspectives (Walker et al., 2004) prescribes activities con- of the youth and family. Various strands of re- sistent with the elements of effective teamwork search provide a rationale for why this should be described above. Teams must develop a team mis- the case. sion or family vision for the future (long-term goal) Research on teamwork across many different and prioritize a small number of needs or goals types of contexts provides strong evidence about (intermediate goals) to work on. They generate what makes teams likely to be effective in reach- options and select strategies, which they monitor ing the goals they set for themselves. Specifically, regularly using indicators of success. When strat- a team is more likely to be successful when team egies are not working, teams are to select and members have decided on an overall, long-term then monitor different strategies. The principles goal or mission for the team (Cohen, Mohrman, & of wraparound (Bruns et al., 2004) add further ex- Mohrman, 1999; West, Borrill, & Unsworth, 1998), pectations to the process of developing goals and and when team members have clearly defined a strategies. For example, the principles specify set of intermediate goals specifying the major teams should focus on developing community- and strands of activity that need to be undertaken to strengths-based strategies for the plan. These cri- reach the long term goal (Latham & Seijts, 1999; teria are specific to wraparound (as compared to Weldon & Yun, 2000). With this goal structure in teams generally), but are easily accommodated place, effective teams work carefully to choose within a framework of practices associated with strategies for reaching the intermediate goals. effective teamwork. It is crucial that teams structure strategy se- Not surprisingly, there is more to team suc- lection deliberately, and that team members con- cess than simply having these elements of ef- sider several different strategies before choosing fective planning in place. Other research points one (Hirokawa, 1990; West, Borrill, & Unsworth, for the need for teams to be collaborative—for 1998). Research on collaborative problem solv- team members to share the same goals and to ing clearly shows that groups and teams have a feel that their perspectives have an impact in propensity to jump to strategies and solutions too the decision-making process. Collaborativeness quickly, without considering a range of options. is enhanced when teams have clear expectations Generating several options before choosing one for how members should interact (Cohen, 1994; is important for at least two reasons. First, op- Cohen & Bailey, 1997), and when decision mak- tions that are generated first tend not to be of as ing is equitable (Beugre & Baron, 2001; Cohen & high quality as those generated subsequently; and Bailey, 1997; Korsgaard, Schweiger, & Sapienza, second, the process of generating options helps 1995). Collaborative teams are more effective 3 Section 3: Theory and Research than teams whose members do not feel invested of collaboration; however, skilled facilitation, in- in the team goals (Beugre & Baron, 2001; Cohen cluding a knowledge of group processes and par- & Bailey, 1997; Korsgaard, Schweiger, & Sapienza, ticipatory decision making, is essential to make 1995; Tjosvold & Tjosvold, 1994). Team members this family- and youth-driven form of collabora- who feel that their perspectives are not respect- tion come to pass (Walker & Shutte, 2004). ed during the decision-making process tend not In sum, when the wraparound process is car- to follow through on tasks that the team asks of ried out with fidelity to the principles and the them, thus making the team as a whole less ef- practice model, it is an engagement and plan- fective (Cropanzano & Schminke, 2001; Kim & ning process that promotes a blending of perspec- Mauborgne, 1993). tives and high-quality problem solving, and is thus Within wraparound, the principles call for a consistent with empirically supported best prac- special sort of collaboration. The principle on col- tices for effective teamwork. Additionally, the laboration emphasizes the general idea that the wraparound process is driven by the perspectives wraparound process should be characterized by a of the youth and family. The team learns about sharing and blending youth and family values, strengths, and culture of perspectives such and actively uses this information in the planning that all team mem- process. Youth and family members also have the bers feel that their opportunity