Frequently Asked Questions
High-Fidelity Wraparound (HFW) was first introduced in 2007. Although the core model remains unchanged, the current implementation by the State has evolved. HFW is a critical component of Maines Children’s Behavioral Health Plan, aimed at enhancing service availability, quality, and consistency by expanding the childrens behavioral health workforce. To ensure HFWs viability and sustainability, Maine has made these services reimbursable under MaineCare and adopted new public rules to support the engagement process.
Person-centered planning and HFW have some common values and principles in both the planning processes designed to support an individual or family to reach their goals and visioning for a better life for themselves. The primary distinguishing factor is that HFW is a team-based process focused on the child/youth with complex needs and their ecosystem, whereas person-centered planning can be applied to any individual receiving support and is driven by the individual’s needs and preferences.
ACT is a comprehensive community-based clinical service for individuals, delivered by a multi-disciplinary team of professionals. On the other hand, HFW is a family-driven, strengths-based planning process that uses a team approach. Unlike ACT, HFW emphasizes involving natural supports and family members. Both approaches aim to support youth in remaining within their home community, though they differ in their methods.
No. In Maine, implementation of HFW within behavioral health homes (BHH) must include distinct roles for family and youth, in addition to a HFW coordinator. They must be three separate people. However, depending on caseload/ availability, it may be possible for staff to support other duties/ evidence-based practices within the BHH.
Once the public rule is adopted, there will be a runway of time for agencies to decide if they will opt in to implement this model. The Maine Center of Excellence will provide technical assistance and support to organizations as they assess their readiness to implement HFW. The time to complete training varies for HFW, Family Support and Youth Peer Support. The model purveyors, NWIC, Innovations Institute and Youth MOVE National are supporting the Maine Center of Excellence to implement training for the Maine workforce and expect to have ongoing opportunities for learning throughout FY25.
Yes, there will be age guidelines for those in the Youth Support Specialist role. However, the Maine Center of Excellence can provide technical assistance around best practice to develop career ladders and pathways for those in that role.
Yes, at this time, providers may continue to have staff complete Family Support certification through the G.E.A.R. Parent Network for any service provision that is not HFW. If planning to implement HFW, the Family Support staff must become certified in PEARLS. Staff certified through the G.E.A.R. Parent Network will not be grandfathered into certification for HFW.
BHHs providing Youth Peer Support must have their staff trained in Youth MOVE National’s Peer Connect Model.