When the MiiWrap Foundation was first established, we weren’t just trying to preserve a model, we were laying the groundwork to grow it. But we knew from day one that if we wanted this to reach more people without losing fidelity, we needed a robust training system that did more than just explain and introduce the model, as so many social service trainings do.

It had to shape how people think, guide how they show up in complex situations, and hold a high bar for quality without requiring constant oversight. It needed to be flexible enough to meet real-world constraints, but strong enough to develop deep skill. It needed to scale without cutting corners. That’s why we didn’t just build a course. We built a system designed to build skill, not just transfer knowledge

MiiWrap is more than a set of techniques, it’s a deeply relational, person-centered, systems-aware way of working with people navigating layered challenges. It asks practitioners to:

• build trust in situations where systems often create skepticism,
• support behavior change without overpowering the client’s voice,
• manage complexity while still moving things forward.

Those aren’t things you can memorize. You learn them by doing, reflecting, and improving, with structure, feedback, and support. So we built a multi-layered training system that mirrors those principles. Every piece of it is designed to support real skill development, not just checkbox compliance:

Here’s how it works today:

Self-paced eLearning
Participants start with online modules that introduce key MiiWrap concepts and processes. These are intentionally bite-sized and designed for application, not passive consumption. Every lesson includes real examples, reflection prompts, and concrete tools they can try immediately.

Live coaching sessions
Facilitators aren’t left to figure things out alone. They join structured small group coaching calls where they practice applying what they’ve learned, share real-world cases, get feedback, and learn from each other. This is where the “ah-ha” moments happen. We see confidence shift and nuance emerge.

Portfolio-based certification
Participants don’t “pass a test,”  they demonstrate their thinking. They complete a portfolio of short assignments and scenario-based reflections that show how they’re integrating the mindset and methods. It’s rigorous, but supportive. Our reviewers look not just for right answers, but for signs that someone can really do the work with integrity.

High-quality coaching & assessment
Each cohort is supported by certified coaches trained to guide reflection, deepen learning, and model the work. And all portfolios are reviewed by experienced reviewers using a clear rubric to ensure consistency. This is part of how we maintain fidelity and grow future leadership capacity.

And it’s working.

This isn’t theory, it’s practice, and we’re already seeing the impact.

• “Compared to other programs I’ve completed, this was significantly more engaging, relevant, and skill-building.” – Yherelly Almanzar
• “I feel much more prepared to give clients tools to be successful in their own journeys. I feel empowered in the sense the success is full driven from a client’s vision and not an expert in the field.” – Caleb Barthel
• “I’ve learned a lot from the MiiWrap program, more than I typically do in traditional training programs. The hands-on approach, shadowing videos, and strength-based focus helped me connect the material to real-life work with families. I also appreciated how it emphasized collaboration, self-efficacy, and transition planning in a practical and meaningful way. It wasn’t just theory, it was something I could use immediately.” – Jeremy Evans
• “This has touched on all aspects of my life. I’ve become a better parent and a better spouse.” – Meghan Fields
• “I especially appreciated the emphasis on softening sustain talk, developing lasting natural supports… I feel much more confident now.” – Jessenia Florez

We’re seeing facilitators come out of the process not just able to do MiiWrap, but eager to go deeper. They’re proud of what they’ve learned. They feel like part of something important.

What we’ve learned

Training that actually changes behavior takes more than information. It takes:

• A structure that builds confidence in small, supported steps
• Repetition and reflection in realistic scenarios
• Coaching that helps people slow down, notice their own reactions, and grow
• Assessment that respects practitioners and protects the work
• A clear path to mastery, so learners see where they’re headed

We also learned that this kind of system builds more than practitioners, it builds culture. It creates a shared language, a community of practice, and a sense of accountability that people carry with them.

Where we’re going next

We’re proud of what we’ve built so far. But this is just the foundation.

We’re now expanding the training system in three key ways:

1. Strengthening the Upper Levels: Coach and Process Mentor Certifications

We’ve been certifying Wraparound coaches for decades—but the role of a great coach has changed. When the model was simpler, being a good coach meant showing up with commitment and a strong grasp of the basics. But MiiWrap has grown more complex, more rigorous, and more powerful. Coaching today isn’t just about support, it’s about implementation fidelity, nuance, and driving long-term skill transfer.

To meet this need, we’re developing new certification pathways that raise the bar while making it easier for the right people to rise to it.

Right now, we’re in the middle of a beta cohort for our updated MiiWrap Coach Certification, built on the same blended model we use for Foundations: asynchronous content to build conceptual depth, paired with live coaching to drive application. This shift reduces the burden on individual trainers and supervisors, and allows us to focus our live time where it matters most, helping new coaches learn how to coach, not just re-teach a training.

These coaches will be trained to lead training cohorts, support practitioners, and assess portfolios using our fidelity standards. In short, we’re building the capacity for agencies to grow from the inside. Certified MiiWrap Coaches become force multipliers, they don’t just maintain the work, they elevate it.

We’re also building something bigger: a new certification pathway for MiiWrap Process Mentors (PMs). This is our highest-level credential. PMs are implementation experts. They don’t just understand the model; they know how to build it, adapt it, and sustain it inside real systems with real-world constraints.

A certified Process Mentor functions as a hybrid of consultant, trainer, and coach. Some will work internally within their own organizations to lead implementation. Others may take on outside contracts, helping other agencies stand up new MiiWrap programs from scratch.

In both cases, they’re advancing what’s possible: better systems, stronger outcomes, and the infrastructure to scale MiiWrap without losing fidelity. You’ll hear more about both of these certifications this fall as we finalize the rollout.

2. Organizational certification pathways

Many agencies are asking: How do we make MiiWrap part of how we work—not just what a few staff know how to do?

We’re piloting structured support for agencies to become certified MiiWrap organizations: with trained teams, internal coaches, fidelity systems, and clear handoffs. This allows us to step back over time without leaving quality behind.

3. The Foundations of MiiWrap, Versioned for New Populations

One of the most powerful things about MiiWrap is its adaptability. While the core model stays consistent, the way it’s introduced, practiced, and applied needs to flex for different populations. That’s why we’re now in active development on a new version of the Foundations course, designed specifically for people doing MiiWrap with youth transitioning out of foster care.

This new version keeps the rigor of our standard training, eLearning, live coaching, fidelity checks, and clear certification pathways, but adds scenarios, examples, tools, and nuance for the unique challenges this population faces: instability, complex trauma, systems fatigue, and fractured relationships. We’re building in more examples of creative engagement, transition planning, and working across systems that don’t always talk to each other.

This is the beginning of a larger effort. We plan to version the Foundations course for other populations with distinct needs, like justice-involved youth, individuals with complex behavioral health needs, and young people at risk of homelessness. The long-term goal is to equip teams with training that is both evidence-aligned and context-aware so every MiiWrap team member is set up to succeed from day one.

We’re designing these in partnership with people who are already doing this work, and we’ll be looking for pilot sites this winter. If you’re serving a population that needs a tailored approach, we’d love to talk.

Why this matters

Our north star is clear: we want MiiWrap to grow, without diluting what makes it powerful. That means building systems that:

• protect the model’s integrity
• create real change in practice
• give practitioners and agencies ownership
• scale without sacrificing quality

That’s what we’re doing, carefully, strategically, and out loud. We believe in building trust by showing our work, and that’s what this series is about. If you’ve been wondering how the MiiWrap Foundation is thinking about training, this is your answer. And if you’re trying to build something similar, something that scales without losing its heart, we hope this helps you too.