Measurement Characteristics of the Wraparound Fidelity Index Short Form: Results from a Statewide Implementation

Abstract

Implementation fidelity has been an important issue in the service provision and associated outcomes of Wraparound, an intensive, individualized care planning process that uses a team-based approach to integrate youth into the community to minimize the need for intensive, institutional services. In response to the growing need to monitor fidelity to the Wraparound process, a variety of instruments have been created and tested. In this study, the authors present the results of several analyses designed to better understand the measurement characteristics of the Wraparound Fidelity Index Short Form (WFI-EZ), a multi-informant fidelity instrument. The results from our analysis of 1027 WFI-EZ responses indicate that the internal consistency of the instrument is very good, although the negatively worded items did not appear to function as well as positively worded items. Results from two confirmatory factor analyses were unable to validate the original domains identified by the instrument developers, but for certain outcomes the WFI-EZ demonstrated deseriable predictive validity. Preliminary evidence is also provided that WFI-EZ responses likely differ by respondent type. We conclude by discussing the implications of using the WFI-EZ in programming, policy, and practice considering the findings of our study.