Glossary

A Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) waiver that gives the Secretary of Health and Human Services authority to approve experimental, pilot, or demonstration projects that promote the objectives of Medicaid and Community Health Provider (CHP) programs. Purpose of these demonstrations is to give States additional flexibility to design and improve their programs and to demonstrate and evaluate new policy approaches.

Information and referral providers that are connected with the goal of providing seamless access to information and referral services for people who contact 211. Included may be specialized information and referral programs and organizations that provide a related service such as volunteer placement or crisis intervention.

Information and referral providers who have taken the lead in implementing 211 in their community, generally in collaboration with other organizations that provide some type of information and referral or a related service such as volunteer placement or crisis intervention. In most cases, the lead agency operates the call center to which 211 calls are routed and handles the inquiries directly or forwards appropriate calls to participating collaborative members via call transfer or a menu system that allows inquirers to select the organization they wish to contact.

A local group of information and referral providers, both general and specialized, who have agreed to coordinate information and referral service delivery to provide seamless access to information about community resources via the three digit number assigned for this purpose, 211. Depending on the size and nature of the community, 211 systems may consist of only a few organizations that provide information and referral or may include a larger and more diverse array of organizations that furnish some type of I&R. Some of these organizations may supply a very specialized type of I&R service (e.g., for people with disabilities or older adults), while others may provide more general assistance. The coordination of all I&R services and programs within a community and, where relevant, beyond, constitutes the 211 system.

A 29-I Health Facility is a voluntary foster care agency (VFCA) that is licensed for the provision of limited health-related services to contract and bill Medicaid Managed Care Plans and complies with Corporate Practice of Medicine standards. To be licensed as a VFCA Health Facility, the foster care agency must be approved by both the NYS Office of Children and Family Services and the NYS Department of Health.

Programs that have implemented 311 as a dialing code to help people access non-emergency police and other local government services such as public works, animal control, and code compliance.

NYS approved private 853 schools, created by Chapter 853 of the Laws of 1976, are operated by private agencies and provide day and/or residential programs for students with disabilities. A Committee on Special Education (CSE) may recommend a placement of a student with a disability in an approved private school when it determines that the student can not be appropriately educated in the home school district, a neighboring district, or in the programs of a board of cooperative educational services (BOCES) program.

Individuals younger than age 18 who have been subjected to a persistent pattern of violence and/or neglect which may include: emotional abuse; emotional deprivation; physical abuse and/or corporal punishment that results in a traumatic condition; physical neglect and/or inadequate supervision; and/or sexual abuse or exploitation.

Counseling that assists students in selecting a course of studies suited to their abilities, interests, future plans, and general circumstances.

Refers to both:

• additional instruction that supplements the instruction provided in the general curriculum and assists students in meeting NYS Learning Standards; and/or
  
  
• student support services (e.g., guidance, counseling, attendance training, and study skills training) needed to improve students’ academic performance.

Academic intervention services assist students who are at risk of not achieving the Learning Standards in English language arts, mathematics, social studies and/or science, or who are at risk of not gaining the knowledge and skills needed to meet or exceed designated performance levels on NYS-prescribed learning assessments. Academic intervention services must be made available to students with disabilities on the same basis as non-disabled students, provided that such services are consistent with a given student’s Individualized Education Program.

Official copies of student academic records; or that evaluate the educational records of foreign students for educational equivalency.

Information to support people with disabilities and/or special needs having access on an equal basis as everyone else. Accessibility information may refer to the accessibility of parks, airports, public buildings, and other facilities for use by people who have restricted mobility. It also may refer to the accessibility of information and communication technology and systems.  

Building or facilitating the construction of barrier-free homes for people with disabilities.

Software adaptations including word prediction programs, talking and large print word processors, grammar and spell checkers, and reading comprehension programs that enable individuals with disabilities to access word processing or other computer programs.

A group of health care providers and suppliers of services (e.g., hospitals, physicians, and others involved in patient care) who agree to be collectively accountable for the quality, cost, and overall care of an assigned group of Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolled in the traditional fee-for-service program (i.e., those who are not in the Medicare Advantage private plan). ACOs represent a type of payment and delivery model that seeks to tie provider reimbursements to measures of quality and reductions in the total cost of care for an assigned population of patients. ACOs are expected to function as patient-centered organizations where patients and providers are true partners in care decisions. Patient and provider participation in an ACO is voluntary.

Tests that measure the knowledge, skills, and understanding students have gained from their academic work.

The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act is a federal law that was signed into law in 2014. One year later, New York enacted its own ABLE Act. The federal and state ABLE Acts enable the creation of tax-free savings accounts for individuals with disabilities. The intent of this legislation is to ease financial strains faced by individuals with disabilities by making tax-free savings accounts available to cover qualified expenses such as education, housing, and transportation. ABLE accounts supplement, but do not supplant, benefits provided through private insurances, the Medicaid program, the supplemental security income program, the beneficiary’s employment, and other sources.

An ABLE account may fund a variety of essential expenses for individuals including medical and dental care, education, community based supports, employment training, assistive technology, housing and transportation. The ABLE Act provides individuals with disabilities the same types of flexible savings tools that all other Americans have through college savings accounts, health savings accounts, and individual retirement accounts.

Materials which have been adapted for use by people with disabilities in drawing, painting, ceramics, crafts projects, or other visual art forms.

Bicycles that have been modified for use by people with disabilities. Also, seat belts, leg braces, back supports, pedal risers, heel straps, and other specialized equipment that can be installed at home, and/or adaptation services for individuals who currently own a bicycle.

Equipment that is specially designed to enable people who have physical disabilities to get general exercise or to exercise specific parts of their bodies.

Syringes, thermometers, glucose analyzers, urinalysis test systems, sphygmomanometers, and other health care devices that have been modified for use by people who have physical or visual impairments.

Musical instruments that have been altered for use by people with disabilities.

Photographic equipment (cameras, lenses, etc.) that have been altered for use by people with disabilities.

Diversified program of physical activities, games, and sports suited to the interests, capabilities, and needs of students with disabilities.

General physical education classes or self-contained special classes that provide accommodations to meet the needs of students with disabilities so that they can participate in the same activities as other students.

Sports and games whose rules of play or playing formats have been changed to allow people with functional or cognitive disabilities to play.

Tools and equipment for gardening, home maintenance, employment, or other purposes that have been specifically altered for use by people with disabilities.

Toys (e.g., dolls, music boxes, puppets, stuffed animals, blocks, and other playthings) that have been modified for use by individuals, usually children, with disabilities.

Automobiles or vans that have been altered to enable people with disabilities to operate the vehicles or ride in them as passengers. Adaptations can include ramps or wheelchair lifts; primary systems such as modified seats or steering, signaling, gear shift, and braking controls; and/or secondary systems such as car door openers, car door reachers, gas cap openers, seating restraints, specially designed rear view mirrors, and other accessories.

Programs that are staffed by licensed physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of substance use disorders as well as the treatment of dually-diagnosed individuals with coexisting substance use and psychiatric disorders.

Mutual support groups whose members are individuals who are involved in substance use or have other dependencies or compulsive behaviors. Groups meet in person, by telephone, or via the Internet to provide emotional support, information, and resources to help those who participate modify their behavior. The term includes faith-based and secular 12-step groups, as well as non-12 step groups.

Mutual support groups whose members are individuals who have substance use dependencies or compulsive behaviors. The groups meet in-person, by telephone, or via the Internet; are open to anyone who has an addiction/dependency issue rather than structured for people with a particular type of addictive, compulsive, or dysfunctional behavior; provide emotional support, information, and resources to help those who participate modify their behavior; and may include faith-based and secular 12-step groups, as well as non-12 step groups.

Adequate yearly progress (AYP) is the measure by which schools, districts, and states are held accountable for student performance under Title I of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), the current version of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act and state regulations.  (This is an aggregate measure, not a measure of an individual student’s performance.)

States have the flexibility to define yearly progress, but it must include the following elements:

• State tests must be the primary factor in the state’s measure of AYP, but the use of at least one other academic indicator of school performance is required, and additional indicators are permitted;
• For secondary schools, the other academic indicator must be the high school graduation rate;
• States must set a baseline for measuring students’ performance toward the goal of 100 percent proficiency by spring 2014. The baseline is based on data from the 2001-02 school year;
• States must also create benchmarks for how students will progress each year to meet the goal of 100 percent proficiency by spring 2014;
• A state’s AYP must include separate measures for both reading/language arts and math. In addition, the measures must apply not only to students on average, but also to students in subgroups, including economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, English-language learners, African-American students, Asian-American students, Caucasian students, Hispanic students, and Native American students.
• To make AYP, at least 95 percent of students in each of the subgroups, as well as 95 percent of students in a school as a whole, must take the state tests, and each subgroup of students must meet or exceed the measurable annual objectives set by the state for each year (US Department of Education, 2001).

Adjusted Gross Income are wages, salaries, interest, dividends, etc., minus certain deductions from income as reported on federal and state income tax returns. Adjusted Gross Income is commonly referred to as AGI and is used to help determine eligibility for many public benefits.

When an individual has a difficult time in response to an identifiable stressful situation, such as the loss of a loved one. The reaction may involve anxiety, depression, disturbances in conduct, or combinations of these symptoms. The symptoms develop within three months of the occurrence of the stressor(s).

Adlerian Therapy emphasizes understanding the whole person within their social context and highlights the importance of feelings of belonging, significance, and contribution to society.

An attempt to influence the formation of or change in policies within the executive branch of federal, state, or county/local government.  Administrative policies can include such areas as agency rulemakings, grant programs, or agency budgets.

A young person who is in the process of becoming an adult. Generally, adolescents are individuals who are age 13 through 17. 

Programs that help adolescents with chronic diseases or disabilities successfully transition to adult health care providers. There is usually a period of co-management during which a child is seen by both pediatric specialists and adult providers. An adult care plan is generally developed by the team to document current diagnoses and therapies, and lay out guidelines for the frequency of medical visits to specialists and primary care providers, the role of each adult provider in the overall care plan, and the frequency of lab studies and other clinical evaluations.

Psychiatric inpatient programs offered in special units of general acute care hospitals that provide diagnostic and treatment services for adolescents, usually age 12 through 17, who have acute psychiatric disorders, require hospitalization, and  may be a threat to themselves, their families, or others. Services may include a comprehensive evaluation; 24-hour care in a supportive, therapeutic environment; counseling for the patient and family; adjunctive therapies, as needed; medication, if required; and an aftercare program following discharge.

Adolescents who are seeking, and/or are participating in, opportunities to donate their time to work on any of a wide variety of projects which benefit the community or people in need.

Programs that specialize in the mental health treatment of adolescents, usually age 12 through 17. Programs may help youth troubled by low self-esteem, social isolation, peer pressure, bullying, school performance, truancy, anger management, family problems, grief and loss, sexual promiscuity, alcohol or drug use or misuse, eating disorders, oppositional and defiant behaviors, depression and anxiety, suicidal thoughts, or other issues.

Educational partnerships between community organizations (e.g., businesses, civic groups, or professional organizations) and local schools as a means of expanding learning opportunities available to children and youth. The local organization “adopts” a particular school and undertakes educational projects in conjunction with teaching staff. Activities are designed to meet the needs of the individual school and may include mentoring, lectures or demonstrations, sponsorship of after school projects and field trips, donations of equipment and supplies, incentive awards for academic achievement, and opportunities for students to gain experience in a particular business or industry.

Mutual support groups whose members are:  individuals who have adopted a child or are considering or in the process of adoption; birth parents who relinquished a child for adoption; people who were adopted; foster care providers; children in foster care; kinship caregivers (paternal or maternal grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other family members, members of a child’s tribe or clan, godparents, stepparents, neighbors, friends of the family, or other adults who can serve as “family”); children cared for by relatives under a formal or informal kinship care arrangement; and/or adults who, as children, were raised in foster or kinship care.

Groups may also be structured for adoptees, siblings, and/or birth parents who have been reunited; older kinship caregivers who have taken on an unexpected parenting role later in life; and people who have other kinship issues, e.g., grandparents and other relatives who have been denied access to a grandchild or other youngster due to a death or divorce in the child’s family.

Meeting formats may include in-person, telephone, or Internet options.

Programs that provide guidance and support for people who have adopted a child or are involved in the process of adopting a child.

Courts of law that handle the independent adoption of minors, the termination of parental rights in cases of abandonment, and the adoption or guardianship of minors who are dependents of the court.  In New York State, a Judge of the Family Court or the Surrogate Court must approve every adoption by signing an Order of Adoption.  

Programs that assess the needs and capabilities of children who have been relinquished for adoption, compile the children’s social and medical histories, make arrangements for care and supervision of the children prior to placement, evaluate prospective adoptive applicants including a review of adoptive home studies, if available, and select and approve prospective adoptive homes.

Programs that provide subsidies, reimbursements, grants, or other types of funding to help adoptive families defray some of the expenses associated with the adoption process. Included are programs that limit their assistance to special needs children or other specific populations as well as those that provide a broader range of assistance.

Statements submitted by birth parents and adult birth siblings providing their consent or denial of consent to the release of identifying information to a child who was placed for adoption or the child’s direct descendents. Statements may be made available to adoption agencies, probate courts, and court-appointed confidential intermediaries who are responding to requests from adult adoptees or their direct descendents for information about their birth families.

Programs that provide people who want to adopt with information about the different types of adoption available and the requirements and procedures for adoption. Also included are programs that facilitate the adoption process by: compiling information about children who are available for adoption in sharable formats such as photo albums, newsletters, video tapes, or media campaigns (e.g., newspaper stories or television segments) that feature a particular adoptable child; and arranging activities (e.g., picnics) where prospective adoptive parents and children can meet informally.

Programs that maintain and, where appropriate, provide copies of records that document that the parental rights and duties of an individual’s birth parents have been terminated and assigned to his or her adoptive parents.

Programs that participate in arranging permanent homes under new legal parentage for individuals whose birth parents are unable or unwilling to provide for their care. Included are programs that:

• provide counseling and assistance for people who want to relinquish their children for adoption or arrange for an independent adoption;
• recruit, select, counsel, and match suitable adoptive parents with children who have been relinquished;
• assist in the adoption of stepchildren, adults, or foreign-born children;
• provide foster care for children who have been relinquished for adoption but not yet placed; and/or
• assist people who are adopted to locate their birth parents and birth parents to locate the children they relinquished.

Families in which one or more of the children is legally adopted as opposed to being a child by birth, foster care, or other temporary arrangement.

Programs that help individuals who were relinquished for adoption as children to locate their birth parents and/or assist birth parents to locate the children they once placed for adoption.

Individuals who have taken all the necessary steps for adoption and assume legal responsibility for a child after an adoption is finalized. Adoptive parents hold the same responsibilities and rights as biological parents. Likewise, adoptees assume all the same rights as biological children.

Programs that provide free instruction for adults who have never attended school or have interrupted formal schooling. Programs teach basic skills such as reading, writing, and math, and English as a second language, and also provide high school equivalency preparation. Programs are usually offered by community adult schools or as evening classes at local high schools, community-based organizations, or libraries.

Adult Career and Continuing Education Services support the education and employment needs of New Yorkers.

Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitations assists individuals with disabilities to achieve and maintain employment and to support independent living.

Adults whose own personal, social, and familial coping has been significantly affected by being reared by, or having contact in their formative years with, a parent or parent figure who was an alcoholic, including a possibly dysfunctional family response to this situation and who, as a result, has internalized both the alcoholic and co-dependent patterns of coping that may interfere with positive adjustments in adult life.

Day care centers that provide health and related services as well as care and supervision for adults who require physical rehabilitation, dementia management, or other condition-specific forms of assistance on a limited but regular basis and who would be at risk of entering a skilled nursing or intermediate care facility without the support of this type of center. Ancillary services usually include meals and limited social activities.

Programs that provide care and supervision in licensed group facilities for dependent adults during some portion of a 24-hour day. Services may include social and recreational activities, training that is essential for sustaining activities of daily living and hot meals, as appropriate.

Programs that:

establish and enforce health, safety, and program standards for adult day program facilities including adult day program centers and family day program homes;

review applications for licenses and issue or deny licenses;

inspect facilities for compliance with requirements; and/or

revoke licenses or bring disciplinary action for noncompliance.

Programs that provide care and supervision in a protective setting for dependent adults living in the community during some portion of a 24-hour day. Services may include social and recreational activities, training that is essential for sustaining activities of daily living, hot meals, as appropriate and, if an adult day health care center, health and related services.

Community-based programs that provide supportive services for adults with developmental disabilities who have indicated that they wish to develop skills in the areas of community involvement, self-advocacy, self-care, and/or employment training. Many individuals may transition into supported employment or other more independent settings in the community as a result of the training.

Educational programs for adults, usually offered as evening classes, at local high schools or community-based organizations.

Adult Education Programs and Policy (AEPP) within the NYS Education Department promotes, develops, and supports adult education programs with the goal of providing adult students with successful pathways and transitions to post secondary education, apprenticeship training, employment opportunities, and the workforce.

Programs that provide care and supervision in NYS Department of Health licensed private family homes for adults during some portion of a 24-hour day. Services may include social and recreational activities, training that is essential for sustaining activities of daily living and hot meals, as appropriate.

Agency-supervised private family homes that provide an alternative family living arrangement for older adults or adults with disabilities who need supervision and personal care (but generally not nursing care) and who do not live with their families. The arrangement provides an opportunity for the individual to become a participating member of the family and the community in which the family resides, and to share in the interaction and responsibilities of being a part of a family. Some adult foster homes may specialize in providing care for adults with developmental disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease, mental health issues, or other specific conditions. 

Adult guardianship is a court-approved arrangement for an individual to make critical decisions on behalf of someone who is determined to be unable to do so themselves. This appointed individual, known as a guardian, is granted the authority by the court to oversee various aspects of the person?s life. These responsibilities include making choices about medical care, living arrangements, and other personal care matters.

Programs that offer a series of courses designed for adults who have not completed their high school education, focusing on life skills to support personal and job success. The instructional components in the program include reading, writing, listening, speaking, mathematics, participatory democracy, and consumer awareness as well as health, home, personal, and family relationships, academic, and/or vocational specializations and advanced studies. Individuals who successfully complete the program receive a high school diploma.

Programs that provide a brief period of rest or relief for family members, guardians, or others who are regular caregivers for dependent adults by offering temporary or intermittent care for the adult in their own home.

Programs that assist adults to learn to read and write, and obtain the basic knowledge and skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency.

Companionship, guidance, and/or role models for adults, who may need extra support because of their age, income, physical or developmental disability, or other personal issues, to improve their personal and social functioning.

Programs that provide a brief period of rest or relief for family members, guardians, or others who are regular caregivers for dependent adults by offering temporary or intermittent care for the adult in a community setting/facility.

Adult Protective Services provide intake, investigation, and assessment of referrals of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of impaired vulnerable adults who live in the community. APS workers develop services plans for eligible clients to remedy physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or to address unmet, essential needs of adults. Services provided (directly or through referral) may range from safety monitoring, linkages with other service providers (health, mental health, aging, etc.), assistance in obtaining benefits, informal money management, to appointment as a representative payee, to petitioning a court for appointment as a guardian, or for some other legal intervention.

Institutions whose primary function is to provide diagnostic and long- or short-term treatment services for adults, who have acute psychiatric disorders, require hospitalization, and who may be a threat to themselves or others. Services may include: 

a comprehensive evaluation;

24-hour care in a supportive, therapeutic environment;

counseling for the patient and family;

additional, related therapies, as needed;

medication, if required; and

an aftercare program following discharge.

Programs offered in special units of general acute care hospitals that provide diagnostic and treatment services for adults who have acute psychiatric disorders, require hospitalization for maximum benefit, and who may be a threat to themselves, to their families or to others if left in the community or placed in a less restrictive treatment setting. Services may include: a comprehensive evaluation; 24-hour care in a supportive, therapeutic environment; counseling for the patient and family; adjunctive therapies (that is, an additional substance, treatment, or procedure used for increasing the efficacy or safety of the primary substance, treatment, or procedure or for facilitating its performance) as needed; medication, if required; and an aftercare program following discharge.

Programs staffed by licensed physicians who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders including mood and anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, personality disorder, adjustment reactions, adult attention deficit disorders, and psychotic disorders. Programs generally serve individuals age 18 and older. Services usually include an assessment to establish a diagnosis, psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, and other forms of therapeutic treatment to support recovery and wellness.

Residential homes or facilities that offer personal care and individual attention for older adults, people with disabilities, and others who may need assistance to live in the community. Adult residential care homes generally provide a room (which may be shared), and meals and supervision. Services vary but may include dietary and housekeeping services, monitoring of prescription medication, social and recreational opportunities, bathing, grooming, dressing, mobility, and other activities of daily living. There is a range among these homes in terms of size, resident mix, daily charges, and services.

New York State Department of Health makes sure that Adult Residential Facilities meet certain requirements. Licensing includes:

• ensuring health, safety, and program standards for group residences for older adults and adults with disabilities including adult foster homes, group homes, adult residential care homes, assisted living facilities, continuing care retirement communities, semi-independent living residences for adults with disabilities and other similar facilities where licensing requirements apply;
• reviewing applications for licenses;
• issuing or denying licenses; inspecting facilities for compliance with requirements; and
• revoking licenses or bringing disciplinary action for noncompliance.

Programs that provide a treatment-oriented living experience in a community-based facility for adults who have emotional disturbances and who, because of their disabilities, are unable to succeed in other placements, but who do not require inpatient psychiatric hospitalization. The service is geared to the specific needs of individual residents and their eventual return to the community as soon as their personal and social adjustment and development permit.

Mentoring programs provide role models who guide youth with respect, structure, and compassion to build positive life skills. The New York State Mentoring Program offers mentoring to children in schools, foster care, and the court system. Big Brothers and Big Sisters is another example of a mentoring program.  Also included are programs in which people in their teens provide companionship for younger children.

Adults who have physical, sensory, developmental, cognitive, mental, or emotional limitations that affect their ability to engage in one or more major life activities.

Programs that prepare students to take Advanced Placement (AP) tests in specific subject areas including history, biology, chemistry, English, foreign languages, foreign literature, American and European history, mathematics and physics, which, if passed with test scores beyond minimum requirements, may substitute for basic coursework.

Advanced Placement tests assess students on subject-specific Advanced Placement courses. (Advanced Placement courses cover material that is beyond minimum high school requirements.) Advanced placement tests are administered at or about the time of college entrance examinations and are available in a variety of subject areas including art history, biology, chemistry, English, foreign languages, foreign literature, North American and European history, mathematics, music and physics.  

Programs that:

• intercede on behalf of individuals and/or groups to ensure that those individuals or groups receive the benefits and services for which they are eligible;
• work to ensure that organizations within the established service delivery system meet the collective needs of the community;
• attempt to gather public support for a particular issue or cause; or
• seek to influence legislation or administrative actions to benefit specific interest groups or achieve specific social, political, or environmental goals.

The comprehensive health care reform law enacted in March 2010 to make affordable health insurance available to more people, expand Medicaid, and support innovative medical care delivery methods designed to lower the costs of health care generally.

Insurance plans that are certified by a marketplace (health insurance exchange), provide essential health benefits, follow established limits on cost-sharing (like deductibles, copayments and out-of-pocket maximum amounts), and meet other requirements specified by the Affordable Care Act. A qualified health plan will have a certification by each marketplace in which it is sold. The purpose is to provide more affordable access to health care for individuals who might otherwise not have access to health insurance and/or affordable health care.

Health insurance is a type of coverage that pays for medical and surgical expenses that are incurred by the insured. Health insurance can either reimburse the insured for expenses incurred from illness or injury or pay the care provider directly. 

In the context of the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA), these are health insurance agents and brokers, including Web-brokers, authorized to help consumers enroll in new insurance options and apply for premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions through a federally-facilitated or partnership marketplace. Agents and brokers must: register and complete identity verification on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Enterprise Portal; complete a marketplace-specific online training course; and agree to comply with federal and state laws and regulations including privacy and confidentiality laws. Those who have completed the process and received a user account to operate in the individual marketplace will be able to use two pathways: a direct enrollment pathway through the insurance issuer’s website or a marketplace pathway. 

Programs that provide crisis intervention and support services for people who are experiencing acute emotional distress during night and weekend hours when other services are unavailable. No appointment is needed for these programs. Services may include a needs assessment; brief individual, group and family counseling; referrals; and a range of other secondary services depending on the situation. Many programs work closely with police and emergency health services as well as other organizations that provide crisis response assistance, and serve as an after-hours alternative to hospitalization or treatment in a residential setting.

Programs that link individuals of a particular age group (e.g., youth, adults, older adults) with others of the same age group for the purpose of information sharing and support.

Organizations whose members are individuals who work to support older adults and who have affiliated for the purpose of promoting mutual interests, participating in education and training conferences, interacting with other professionals, and taking advantage of other opportunities for personal and professional development. Aging associations may also: set standards which relate to the qualifications and performance of members; advocate for the rights of older adults and their caregivers; promote legislation that funds research and services for this population; and provide information for members and the general public.

Aging out is a term that is used in the context of services for children and youth. Most services and programs that are publicly funded have age “ceilings,” meaning an individual cannot be in the program past a certain age. It is important to plan for what will happen when an individual reaches the point when they will age out and no longer be able to use the particular service.

Organizations whose members are facilities that have affiliated for the purpose of promoting mutual interests and improving the quality, accessibility and affordability of senior/disability-related housing and long-term care through a program of advocacy, education, information and leadership. Members may include nonprofit and/or for-profit skilled nursing facilities, continuing care retirement communities, senior housing facilities, adult residential care homes, intermediate care facilities for people with developmental disabilities, assisted living facilities and/or other facilities that house and/or care for older adults, people with disabilities, and other populations that need a supported living environment. Aging/long-term care facility associations:

• promote activities that improve the health and independence of facility residents;
• promote coordination and collaboration among members; seek to influence state and national long-term care policy through active lobbying at state and federal levels;
• promote public understanding of long-term care issues;
• provide opportunities for ongoing professional development of staff through conferences and journals;
• prepare members for changes in long-term care financing; and
• help members become effective advocates for their institutions and profession.

Programs that provide counseling services for individuals at risk for contracting or transmitting the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).  The objective of the counseling is to support the individual’s ability to reduce their risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV. Counseling involves a personal risk assessment, development of a personalized action plan, and the decision to seek an HIV test. Individuals who have a history of injection drug use, sex with a person with HIV/AIDS, or sex with an injection drug user are considered to be at high or increased risk and are targets for prevention counseling.

Programs that distribute condoms, lubricants, dental dams, bleach kits (ammonia or bleach for cleaning needles and instruction for use) and/or other supplies that can be used to help stop the spread of Human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), other blood borne infectious diseases and sexually transmitted diseases (STD) among high-risk populations. Individuals who have a history of injection drug use, sex with a person with HIV/AIDS, sex with a man who has sex with other men, sex with an injection drug user, a sexually transmitted disease, or are exchanging money or drugs for sex are considered to be at high or increased risk.

Devices designed to filter the air in a room or a building to remove pollutants and other irritants that may negatively affect an individual’s health.

Programs that provide assistance and support for individuals who are physically dependent on alcohol during the alcohol withdrawal period (usually three to seven days).

Programs that provide information about alcohol misuse and alcohol addiction and/or which offer any of a variety of services that focus on alcohol misuse prevention for people of all ages who are at risk. Included may be printed materials or videos that address the subject; psycho-educational and skill building activities; structured groups which focus on family dynamics, problem-solving, self-esteem and similar issues; and presentations in schools and agencies and to family groups regarding the dangers of alcohol misuse, the signs of alcohol misuse and alcoholism, the legal consequences of alcohol use and how to get help.

Community-based, peer-group-oriented, residential facilities that provide food, shelter, and treatment services in a supportive, non-drinking, substance-free environment for people who have completed a hospital or residential primary alcoholism rehabilitation program and need continued support in a residential setting. Services may include case management, relapse prevention counseling, 12-step meetings, educational and vocational planning, recreational activities and assistance in obtaining health, social, vocational, and other services available in the community.

Programs that provide in-person, immediate response services including the administration of insulin, dextrose, thiamine, and/or oxygen for acutely intoxicated individuals who are comatose or otherwise in life-threatening situations. Included are 24-hour facilities that have emergency intake capabilities and organizations that have mobile units that provide on-site help.

Programs that provide individual, group, or family therapy for people who misuse alcohol and/or for their families to help them better understand the nature of alcohol use disorder and to support their efforts to recover.

Organizations that sponsor a variety of educational programs to teach about the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol or other substances. The goal of these programs it to promote safe driving to lessen the incidence of injury, disability, and fatality that results from alcohol and other drug related motor vehicle crashes. The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles offers an Impaired Driver Program for individuals who have had an impaired driving offense.

Programs that provide supervised, structured, full-day daytime activities (including individual and group counseling, 12-step meetings, social and recreational activities, educational and vocational services) for individuals who have problems related to alcohol use and who need treatment that is more intensive than an outpatient program but do not require 24-hour hospital care.

Programs that provide alternative environments for individuals who misuse alcohol. The programs may offer recreational activities, socialization, information and referral, individual and/or group counseling sessions, 12-step meetings, snacks, day beds, showers, and/or clean clothing.

Programs that link people who misuse alcohol or are at risk of misuse with appropriate resources.

Alerting devices use a loud tone, flashing lights, or vibrations to alert people with hearing loss to various environmental sounds. These devices may also be called signalers or notification devices.

The Alliance of Information and Referral System, now Inform USA, is a 501c3 charitable organization whose mission is to serve those in the nonprofit and government sectors that provide information and referral services, often referred to as community navigation. Inform USA members are governmental units, 211 & 988 programs, libraries, civic organizations, and those who work in the areas of aging and disability.

Alternate performance indicators are measurable and observable educational outcomes developed for use in assessing educational progress and achievement levels of students with severe disabilities in relation to the NYS Learning Standards that have been established for all students. These specialized indicators, approved and issued by the NYS Education Department, reflect the fact that conventional means of measuring educational performance are not always appropriate for students with severe disabilities. Alternate performance indicators exist for several educational levels. 

Alternative dispute resolution usually means a range of dispute resolution processes and techniques that parties can use to settle disputes with the help of a third party. They are used for disagreeing parties who cannot come to an agreement. ADR is also increasingly being adopted as a tool to help settle disputes within the court system. ADR procedures are less costly than litigation, produce a settlement more quickly, allow for more flexibility, preserve relationships among parties, permit confidentiality, and can produce solutions that are satisfactory to both parties.

Educational programs within or outside the formal education system that provide innovative and flexible instruction, curriculums, grading systems, learning environments, or degree requirements, a return to traditional educational values, or other alternatives to the ordinary system of instruction.

A full- or half-day alternative high school education program designed for youth who are at risk of not completing their high school education to work toward a high school equivalency certificate. Programs are operated by school districts, Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), and certain facilities operated by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services for students at least 16 years of age and under the age of 19.

Public schools that offer the basic elementary or secondary curriculum plus creative electives in an informal instructional setting. These schools feature an approach to teaching and learning that emphasizes the students’ right to make decisions and views the teacher as a facilitator of learning rather than as a transmitter of knowledge. Other characteristics may include teaching students of different ages at the same time, independent study, individualized rates of progression, open plan schools, and unstructured time and curriculum.

Programs that provide:

• formal supervision of offenders released conditionally on probation or parole or confined to their homes or other venues in the community;
• alternatives to involvement in the juvenile justice system for youth involved in minor misdemeanors; or
• the option of participating in counseling, educational or work programs as an alternative to incarceration in a correctional facility, payment of a fine or other sanctions.

Defendants convicted of less serious crimes may be sentenced to probation, i.e., supervision in the community under the direction of a probation officer. For other crimes, a judge may choose from three intermediate sanctions: community confinement, intermittent confinement, and home detention. For more serious crimes, judges may impose a split sentence, in which the defendant spends a short time in prison and the remainder of the sentence in one of the intermediate sanctions.

Community confinement means residence in a treatment center outside the prison walls, such as a halfway house or drug rehabilitation center. Community confinement may be imposed instead of prison time, or as a means of easing transition back into the community after time spent in prison.

Intermittent confinement means the defendant is free to go to work or live at home for part of the week, but must spend time in jail on weekends.

Home confinement is a judicially managed system of punishment and control for offenders deemed safe enough to live in their own homes, but requiring a higher degree of supervision.

Work arrangements that are alternatives to traditional permanent, full-time jobs. Included are positions that involve part time work, contract work, temporary work, day labor, on-call work, seasonal work or jobs that are not expected to last longer than one year.

Organizations whose members are graduates of a particular educational institution who provide support for the institution in the form of financial contributions, student recruitment efforts, promotional activities, fund raising events and continued ties with the academic program.

The American College Testing (ACT) is a college readiness assessment that many colleges use to inform admissions decisions. It is a national test that assesses what a student has learned in school in the following areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science.

American Sign Language is a visual language. It is used as a primary means of communication by many people who are deaf or hard of hearing in the US and Canada, as well as by many hearing individuals, especially the children of deaf adults. ASL also is used to teach preverbal infants and toddlers as a way of communicating their needs.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation. It also mandates the establishment of TDD/telephone relay services. The ADA is similar to, yet more extensive than, Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prevents discrimination against persons with disabilities by organizations that receive federal funds. 

A network of national service programs that engage volunteers to serve in nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and faith-based organizations where the volunteers provide intensive services to meet needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment. AmeriCorps members in New York tutor and mentor students and peers, make schools and neighborhoods safer, provide housing assistance and legal services, restore parks and trails, assist seniors, coordinate health care, combat the opioid abuse epidemic, respond to natural disasters, support veterans and military families, and much more. AmeriCorps’ programs include AmeriCorps VISTA, the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corp (NCCC), and the State and National grant funding program which supports a broad range of local service programs that engage thousands of volunteers in intensive service to meet critical community needs. AmeriCorps and its programs are administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

A federal services program administered by AmeriCorps that provides an opportunity for individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 to serve on a variety of team-based environmental, educational, public safety, and disaster relief projects. Members are assigned to one of five campuses located in Denver, Colorado; Sacramento, California; Perry Point, Maryland; Vicksburg, Mississippi; and Vinton, Iowa; serve in teams of eight to twelve; and work on projects throughout the region served by their campus. AmeriCorps NCCC members receive a living allowance, housing, meals, limited medical benefits, child care (if necessary), member uniforms, and a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of the program.

A federal service program under the AmeriCorps umbrella that provides funds for local and national organizations and agencies committed to using national service to address critical community needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment. Recipient organizations use AmeriCorps funding to recruit, place, and supervise AmeriCorps members who serve in AmeriCorps State and National projects. Projects are located in every state, U.S. territories and on tribal reservations.

Full-time members receive a living allowance, health coverage, and child care, if needed. After successfully completing their term of service, they receive either: a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, which can be used to pay off qualified student loans or to finance college, graduate school, or vocational training at eligible institutions; or an end-of-service stipend.

A federal volunteer service program under the AmeriCorps umbrella that provides opportunities for people to volunteer their time and work on projects to strengthen and supplement efforts to eliminate poverty and poverty-related human, social, and environmental problems in the U.S. and its territories and to secure opportunities for self-sufficiency by people who are afflicted with such problems. AmeriCorps members receive a modest living allowance, student-loan forbearance, health coverage and child care for those who qualify. After successfully completing a term of service, volunteers receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, which can be used to pay off qualified student loans or to finance college, graduate school, or vocational training at eligible institutions.

Individuals who have a physical and/or psychological dependency on any of a variety of substances that act as central nervous system stimulants; or whose use of these substances has impaired their physical or mental health or their personal, social or occupational functioning. Amphetamines are used medicinally in the treatment of minimal brain dysfunction, narcolepsy and obesity; and are taken illicitly for a variety of reasons including the euphoria and sense of alertness they produce and their effectiveness in combating fatigue and helping the person stay awake for extended periods of time. Principal negative side effects of amphetamine abuse range in severity from irritability, fatigue and depression to malnutrition, skin disorders, brain and liver damage, drastic weight loss, susceptibility to life-threatening infections, schizophrenia-type delusions and occasionally, with intravenous use, collapse and death. Amphetamines most frequently abused include Benzedrine, Dexedrine, Desoxyn, Dexamyl, Methedrine and Methamphetamine (speed, crystal meth).

Individuals whose use of amyl nitrite has put them at risk of health problems which include cardiac arrhythmia, cardiac arrest and other cardiovascular problems. The drug is used medicinally as a vasodilator to relieve the pain of angina, and illicitly for its purported intensification of sexual response during orgasm.

Individuals who have a physical and/or psychological dependency on any of a variety of pain killing drugs, but principally codeine or percodan; or whose use of these drugs has impaired their health or their personal, social or occupational functioning.

Programs that provide educational and/or therapeutic opportunities for people who are interested in or who need to learn how to deal with their anger in a positive, functional way. Participants may include people who internalize their anger as well as those who act it out verbally or in behavior toward friends, family, children, employers or other people in their lives.  Referrals to such programs can be voluntary or court ordered.

An eating disorder most commonly seen in young women ages 12 to 21 years that is characterized by a loss of appetite for food in the absence of a disease or specific neurosis or psychosis. There is progressive, severe loss of weight, and suppression of menstruation in women, and impotence in men. The patient typically denies that anything is wrong even when emaciated.

This term is used in relation to foster care youth. Another planned permanent living arrangement (APPLA) is the least preferred permanency option for a child or young adult and and may only be used for children and young adults aged 16 and over. APPLA does not achieve legal permanency, lasts only through dependency and is reviewed semiannually through the CRB and the court. APPLA is not intended to be a catch-all plan when a youth has complicated needs or is difficult to place or stabilize, rather it is a well thought-out substitute care arrangement that has a semblance of permanency while the youth remains in the legal custody of the department.

“Planned” means the arrangement is intended, designed, considered or deliberate. “Permanent” means enduring, lasting or stable. The term “living arrangement” includes not only the physical placement of the child or young adult, it also considers quality of care, stability, supervision and nurturing a youth will receive. When considering APPLA as a permanency plan, the caseworker must assess and determine the persons in the youth’s life, in addition to the substitute caregiver, who are able and willing to have a lasting, supportive relationship with the youth beyond his or her foster care placement during dependency. A youth for whom a caseworker may be considering an APPLA plan must have these lasting, supportive and caring relationships to provide continuity and a sense of belonging into adulthood.

Antabuse is a drug that causes nausea and dizziness when mixed with alcohol, to help individuals who have gone through alcohol withdrawal maintain sobriety.

A personality disorder that is characterized by a history of continuous and chronic anti-social behavior in which the rights of others are violated. Characteristics include an inability to sustain consistent work behavior, an inability to function as a responsible parent, failure to accept social norms with respect to lawful behavior, inability to maintain enduring relationships, irritability and aggressiveness which may be indicated by repeated physical fights or assault, failure to honor financial obligations, failure to plan ahead as indicated by traveling from place to place without a prearranged job or other goal, disregard for the truth and recklessness.

Disorders that are characterized by persistent feelings of apprehension, worry, uneasiness or dread the source of which is frequently nonspecific or unknown to the individual.  Additional symptoms may include restlessness, irritability, lack of concentration, difficulty sleeping, increased heart rate, shortness of breath and other physiological symptoms.

Programs that offer simple tests for people who have feelings of fear, chronic worrying, obsessive ritualistic behaviors or a feeling that something is wrong, and who want to learn more about anxiety disorders and ways of coping with their symptoms. Individuals generally have an opportunity to see a film and/or hear a talk about the causes, symptoms and treatment of anxiety disorders; complete a screening questionnaire; and talk with a mental health professional about the results. People who test positively are encouraged to seek further evaluation and, potentially, treatment. Anxiety disorders covered by the screenings include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Most anxiety disorder screenings are confidential and available at no cost. Anxiety disorders screenings may also be available by telephone or online.

A condition in which there is a loss or impairment of an individual’s ability to use words as symbols of ideas in speech and/or writing. Aphasia may occur as a result of a stroke or head injury.

Programs that offer certain types of therapy for children and adults with autism spectrum disorders. The therapeutic interventions are based on the theory of applied behavior analysis that behavior rewarded is more likely to be repeated than behavior ignored. The therapy is designed to teach skills, from basic ones such as sleeping and dressing to more involved ones such as social interaction, but is also used to correct inappropriate repetitive, aggressive and/or dangerous behaviors that are associated with autism. Skills are broken down into small steps and taught one simple step at a time. When a task has been successfully completed, a reward is offered, reinforcing the behavior or task. Also available are intensive ABA programs in which children and adults with autism may work for 30 to 40 hours a week, one-on-one, with a trained professional.

Programs that offer registration, counseling and/or classes which assist trainees in meeting apprenticeship entry requirements in a variety of trades such as sheet metal, plumbing, steam fitting, painting and drywall, electrical, sprinkler fitting, carpentry, air conditioning and refrigeration. Activities may include information on the application and selection process as well as instruction and review in math, reading and mechanical aptitude.

Programs that provide a combination of paid, structured on-the-job training and related classroom instruction in which workers learn the practical and theoretical aspects of a designated trade, craft or occupation under the supervision of a skilled craft worker. Apprenticeship programs:

• vary in length from 3-5 years depending on the trade;
• may be operated by public and private sector employers, employer associations or joint labor/management sponsors; and
• may be formally registered with the U.S. Department of Labor (which maintains national standards for apprenticeship programs) and State Apprenticeship Councils which operate in 27 states, or less formal, unregistered programs.

Individuals who complete their apprenticeship terms in a registered program become fully-qualified journey-level workers with portable credentials that are recognized nationally, often internationally.

Programs that administer tests designed to measure the potential ability of an individual to perform an as yet unlearned task, skill or act. Such tests focus on ability rather than skills.

Rehabilitation oriented fitness programs that feature gentle exercises in warm water that are especially designed to relieve pain, stiffness and general discomfort in individuals who have disabling conditions such as arthritis, spinal cord injuries, head injuries, amputations, Guillain-Barre syndrome, chronic pain or orthopedic injuries. Exercise in water can increase circulation, strength and endurance, protect joints during exercise, reduce stress and decrease swelling.  The buoyancy effect of water helps to support the individual’s weight and improve the movement of affected limbs. Aquatic therapy is generally provided by licensed physical therapists, physical therapy assistants or athletic trainers with specific training in the area.

Programs that help individuals prepare for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a multiple choice test, administered by the United States Military Entrance Processing Command, used to determine qualification for enlistment in the United States Armed Forces (i.e., the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Reserves/National Guard). Included may be study guides, career tips and practice questions. Some ASVAB Test Preparation is available via the Internet.

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Programs that offer a form of therapy which encourages individuals to achieve self-expression and emotional release by communicating their emotions and conflicts graphically through painting, drawing, sculpting and other art forms. Art therapy is based on the premise that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness and achieve insight. It is used both as a diagnostic tool and a treatment technique for people of all ages who have anxiety, depression and other mental and emotional problems and disorders; social and emotional difficulties related to disability and illness; trauma and loss; physical, cognitive and neurological problems; and psychosocial difficulties related to medical illness.

Disorders that involve difficulties with the way an individual forms sounds and strings sounds together. Articulation disorders are usually characterized by substituting one sound for another (“wabbit” for “rabbit”), omitting a sound (“han” for “hand”) or distorting a sound (“shlip” for “sip”).

Communication systems including gesture systems, communication boards, computer-based systems and other aids which have digitized or synthesized speech output that can be used by individuals who do not have fully functional speech even after correction.

Mutual support groups whose members are writers, performers, craftspeople, painters, photographers, and others who are involved in the arts or humanities who are experiencing feelings of isolation, creativity blocks or other problems that limit their ability to use their gift. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; help artists balance their creativity with their financial and emotional needs; and allow participants to share their experience, strengths and hopes and support one another in developing the confidence to pursue their art.

Organizations whose members are individual professionals or agencies associated with the arts who have affiliated for the purpose of fostering knowledge about and appreciation of artistic expression within their particular field, establishing standards of excellence, recognizing outstanding contributions, promoting career development, and otherwise supporting the interests of members. Members may include individual professionals (e.g., artists, singers, instrumentalists, actors, dance professionals, mime artists, conductors); organizations representative of the visual or performing arts or other arts fields (e.g., dance or theater troupes, symphony orchestras, art museums, choral groups), or dealers, collectors, producers, distributors, arts facility managers or others working in the arts field or who are patrons of the arts.

A developmental disorder that is characterized by a lack of social skills; difficulty with social relationships; poor coordination and poor concentration; and a restricted range of interests, but normal intelligence and adequate language skills in the areas of vocabulary and grammar.

Programs that provide recovery-focused, high intensity, community based treatment, rehabilitation and support services for people with serious and persistent mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or bipolar disorder. Services are provided in non-office settings by a multidisciplinary team whose members are trained in the areas of psychiatry, social work, nursing, substance abuse and vocational rehabilitation; and include treatment, help in managing symptoms of the illness, immediate crisis response, case management, peer support, medications, supportive therapy and practical on-site support in coping with day-to-day demands. ACT teams provide nearly all of the treatment and members work collaboratively as a team with blended roles, not as a group of individual practitioners who operate with primary responsibilities of their own. ACT community and clinical services are guided by the consumers’ strengths and preferences, an assertive approach, individually tailored programming, ongoing monitoring, variable support, in vivo service, relating to consumers as responsible citizens, direct availability 24 hours per day, utilizing a variety of community resources and collaborating with the family. The ACT model is also known as the Program of Assertive Community Treatment or PACT.

ACT Teams provide mobile intensive treatment and support to people with psychiatric disabilities. The focus is on the improvement of an individual’s quality of life in the community and reducing the need for inpatient care, by providing intense community-based treatment services by an interdisciplinary team of mental health professionals. Building on the successful components of the Intensive Case Management (ICM) program, the ACT program has low staff-outpatient ratios; 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-per-week availability; enrollment of consumers, and flexible service dollars. Treatment is focused on individuals who have been unsuccessful in traditional forms of treatment.

An evaluation of people who abuse drugs and/or alcohol to determine the nature and extent of the problem and which may make a recommendation regarding treatment or may refer the individual to a specific program. The service does not include a centralized triage function within the community or a formal relationship with the courts.

Programs that provide financial assistance for graduate students in the form of staff positions which carry stipends and, frequently, exemptions from fees.

Residential facilities specially constructed or converted to combine housing and supportive services in a “homelike” environment with the goal of maximizing the individual functioning and autonomy of residents. Assisted living facilities generally have private apartment-style accommodations with walk in showers, wide doors for wheelchair access, emergency pull cord systems and other special amenities; and offer the individualized array of personal care services which will allow each resident to function as independently as possible. Services vary from facility to facility, but usually include:

• three meals a day with special diets, as required;
• housekeeping and linen services; personal laundry;
• social and recreational activities; transportation to medical appointments, stores and community services;
• money management assistance;
• assistance with toileting, bathing, grooming, dressing, mobility and other activities of daily living;
• medication management and administration;
• therapy and pharmacy services; and
• wellness and exercise programs.

Assisted living facilities may be licensed by the state or may not require a license depending on the area in which they are located.

Programs that pay for or provide devices other than hearing aids, such as voice amplifiers, personal FM systems, inductive loop systems or infrared theater or television head sets which enable people who have hearing impairments to make use of their residual hearing.

Programs that pay all or a portion of the costs associated with purchasing, leasing or otherwise acquiring assistive technology equipment. Included are programs that pay for needed assistive technology products outright and those that provide or arrange for interest-free, low-interest or market rate loans to finance the lease/purchase.

Programs or organizations that assess the needs of individuals who have physical or sensory limitations and develop the particular type of assistive technology product those individuals require.

Programs that issue warranties that provide continuing coverage for the repair or replacement of various types of assistive technology equipment after the manufacturer?›ƒ?ªƒ?›s warranty has expired. Extended warranties may be purchased from the manufacturer, the organization or practitioner that supplied the equipment, a general insurance company, or other companies that have special warranty plans for specific devices.

Programs that provide a service which matches people in need of a particular piece of equipment with the individual from whom it can be obtained.

Programs that enable individuals who have physical or sensory limitations to borrow the assistive technology products they require at no charge. Loans may be long or short-term in nature and the devices are returned once the agreed-upon period of time has elapsed.

Programs or organizations that pay for or provide equipment, appliances and assistive aids that enable people, including those who have physical or sensory limitations, to increase their mobility and/or ability to communicate and live more comfortably.

Programs that provide access to cognitive/learning aids, control and signaling aids, daily living aids, hearing augmentation aids, mobility aids, prosthetic/orthotic/seating devices, recreational aids, speech aids and/or visual/reading aids on a custom design, loan, rental, sale or resale basis; which provide immediate cash or loans to help people who have insufficient resources to acquire the equipment they need; which modify commercial products to fit an individual’s specific needs; or which repair equipment that is broken.

Programs that enable individuals who have physical or sensory limitations to lease the assistive technology products they require in accordance with an agreement which establishes the length of the arrangement, the daily, weekly or monthly rental cost and other contractual details.

Programs that provide maintenance and repair services for cognitive/learning aids, control and signaling aids, daily living aids, hearing augmentation aids, mobility aids, prosthetic/orthotic/seating devices, recreational aids, speech aids, visual/reading aids or other assistive aids.

Programs that sell new, used and/or reconditioned assistive technology products on a retail or discount basis.

Programs that pay all or a portion of the costs associated with acquiring assistive technology products and/or obtaining support services such as customization, fit/modification services or repairs.

Programs that provide information about cognitive/learning aids, control and signaling aids, daily living aids, hearing augmentation aids, mobility aids, prosthetic/orthotic/seating devices, recreational aids, speech aids, and/or visual/reading aids. The information enables potential users to evaluate their alternatives and make informed choices.

Programs that exhibit and display the use of different assistive technology products including cognitive/learning aids, control and signaling aids, daily living aids, hearing augmentation aids, mobility aids, prosthetic/orthotic/seating devices, recreational aids, speech aids and visual/reading aids to enable people with disabilities who may want to purchase an item to review, try out and evaluate their alternatives.

Programs that publish newsletters, offer printed materials or maintain websites which provide information about specific assistive technology products or recent developments in the field. The product descriptions are generally intended to provide people with disabilities, their families and caregivers, health care professionals and special educators with enough information to get a better understanding of the assistive technology product without going into complex technical details. They provide a sense of the range of available features and an understanding of why there may be a wide variation in cost, for example, because of differences in sound quality, speed, capacity, or user flexibility and friendliness. They may also include information about where products are manufactured and where they can be purchased.

Programs that test and compare different products in the assistive technology area including cognitive/learning devices, control and signaling aids, daily living aids, hearing augmentation aids, mobility aids, prosthetic/orthotic/seating devices, recreational aids, speech aids and visual/reading aids; provide information about the strengths and weaknesses of each option; and/or help people with disabilities to select the most appropriate equipment or device given their individual circumstances.

Programs that pay all or a portion of the costs associated with designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining or repairing assistive technology equipment/devices.

Programs that provide training for individuals who have physical or sensory limitations and/or for their caregivers which focuses on the care and utilization of the particular type of assistive technology product they require and changes the devices might require in their lives. Assistive technology training may deal with cognitive/learning aids, control and signaling aids, daily living aids, hearing augmentation aids, mobility aids, prosthetic/orthotic/seating devices, recreational aids, speech aids and/or visual aids.

Families who, because of their economic or environmental situation or history or a health problem or disability, are considered more likely than others to follow a generational pattern of self-destructive behavior, criminal activity, gang involvement, substance abuse, child abuse, welfare dependency, chronic unemployment, homelessness, unwanted pregnancy and other problems which threaten the health, safety and/or personal development of family members.

People who, because of their economic, environmental or family situation or a health problem or disability, are considered more likely than others to be affected by or become involved in self-destructive behavior, criminal activity, abuse, substance abuse, chronic unemployment, homelessness, unwanted pregnancy and other problems that threaten their health, safety and/or personal development.

Youth who, because of their economic, environmental or family situation, a health problem or disability or past behavior, are considered more likely than others to be affected by or become involved in child abuse or neglect, substance abuse, juvenile delinquency, gang behavior, adolescent pregnancy, truancy, unemployment and other problems that threaten to undermine their health, safety and/or personal development.

Programs that provide comprehensive support services for specific populations of at-risk youth such as young offenders, homeless youth, youth living in high-poverty areas and foster youth who need assistance preparing for, finding and retaining paid employment. Services may include:

• vocational assessment;
• guidance relating to resume preparation, job application letters and questionnaires, interview techniques, appropriate dress and personal-social behaviors that will allow them to get along with employers and co-workers on the job;
• job skills development support;
• job placement assistance;
• limited periods of subsidized employment, where necessary; and/or
• on-the-job support, as required, to help the individual retain his or her position.

Programs that provide financial assistance for individuals who have physical disabilities to enable them to obtain the services of an attendant to help them in the activities of daily living.

A neurobiological disorder that arises in early childhood, typically before age seven, and is characterized by developmentally inappropriate behavior including poor attention skills, poor impulse control and hyperactivity. Children with AD/HD have difficulty focusing (picking something on which to pay attention), sustaining focus (paying attention for as long as is needed), and shifting focus (moving attention from one thing to another); tend to fidget, talk incessantly or be constantly “on the move”; and speak and act on impulse rather than waiting their turn. Symptoms typically worsen in situations like the classroom that require sustained focus and self-application, and may be absent when the child is in a new or one-to-one situation. In the adult form of AD/HD, the symptoms associated with hyperactivity may diminish while those related to inattention and impulsiveness persist. Adult symptoms may include lack of attention to detail, inability to maintain focus, poor listening skills, disorganization, forgetfulness, misplacing or losing things, being overwhelmed by tasks of daily living, difficulty sustaining friendships or intimate relationships, impulsive spending habits, restlessness, irritability, low tolerance for frustration, emotional outbursts and poor self esteem.

Programs that offer the services of individuals, often volunteers, who have been trained to provide audio descriptions of theatrical performances to increase the enjoyment of patrons who are blind or have visual impairments. The audio commentary, whether live or recorded, is relayed through an earphone by the describer who is situated in a soundproof area at the back or side of the stage. The narration conveys the settings, costumes, body language, and sight gags in a visual presentation or performance; and is inserted between portions of dialogue or song to help listeners understand important visual elements. Audio description may also be used by museums, planetariums, large-format theaters, docent-led or recorded exhibition tours, films, videos, arts performances and other theatrical productions. Audio described museum tours contain some of the same elements as an ordinary audio tour, but also include vivid, succinct descriptions of objects, and may prompt interaction with exhibit elements.

• pure tone and speech audiometry, which measure hearing in terms of the reception of calibrated test tones or spoken words that are presented at controlled levels of intensity;
• impedance tests, which measure the integrity of the middle ear system and rule out conductive pathology; and
• auditory brain stem tests, which utilize equipment similar to an EKG to measure neurological activity in response to auditory stimuli.

Programs that provide a variety of nonmedical evaluations to determine the range, nature and extent of hearing loss and rehabilitation services for people whose hearing impairments cannot be improved by medical or surgical means. Audiologists evaluate hearing, identify hearing disorders, assess hearing aids and teach clients to conserve hearing and use residual hearing.

Programs that teach individuals who have hearing impairments to make full use of their residual hearing through amplification (hearing aids or cochlear implants) in order to facilitate development of receptive and expressive language skills with a focus on appropriate inflection patterns, and rhythm and rate of speech.

Programs that teach individuals who have hearing impairments to communicate using an approach which stresses the use of residual hearing, the development of speech and language skills and the supplementary use of speech reading and visual cues from the face and body rather than reliance on sign language.

Programs that teach individuals to make maximum use of their residual hearing through amplification (hearing aids or cochlear implants) and to speak, but do not encourage speech (lip) reading. The method emphasizes exclusive use of auditory skills through one-to-one teaching. It excludes the use of sign language while emphasizing the importance of placing children who receive the service in the regular classroom as soon as possible.

A developmental disability, usually evident by age three, which affects a child’s ability to communicate, understand language, play and relate to others. Other characteristics include engagement in repetitive activities and stereotypic movements, resistance to environmental change or change in daily routines and unusual responses to sensory experiences.

The Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) is a tool designed to offer a method to more objectively identify autism in children. The ABC was developed in 1980 as a clinical measure to screen for autism in individuals 3–35 years of age. The checklist identifies a number of non-adaptive behaviors that serve to assess an individual’s challenges to respond appropriately to daily life situations.  It uses an observer’s rating of the child’s behavior to quantify behaviors typically associated with Autism. The ABC consists of 57 items and 5 scales (1) Sensory, (2) Relating, (3) Body and Object use, (4) Language and (5) Social and Self-help [11].

The Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) is a structured interview protocol to be conducted with the parents of individuals who have been referred for the evaluation of possible autism or autism spectrum disorders. The interview, used by researchers and clinicians for decades, can be used for diagnostic purposes for anyone with a mental age of at least 18 months and measures behavior in the areas of reciprocal social interaction, communication and language, and patterns of behavior.  The ADI-R is a trademarked tool published by Western Psychological Services (WPS).

Programs that provide and train recipients in the use of dogs who have been taught to help people whose autism limits their ability to perform activities of daily living. The dogs may alert the individual to important sounds, e.g., a smoke alarm or the doorbell which may be lost in the overall onslaught of sensory input, guide the person from an overstimulating situation or find a specific person such as a caregiver when the person becomes confused, notify the person when s/he is exhibiting “stimming” behaviors such as hand flapping or head banging, and guide the person when in the community by drawing his or her attention to information that requires priority processing, e.g., when approaching an intersection. When partnered with a child, autism service dogs can help to ensure the child’s safety by preventing or alerting parents to wandering or bolting behavior and tracking a child who succeeds in escaping; improve management of difficult behaviors such as seizures or tantrums; increase impulse control; facilitate sensory integration and calming; provide companionship and socialization support; and improve the child’s ability to function in public.

A group of disorders that are usually evident in the first years of life and are characterized by severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development including social interaction skills, communication skills and/or the presence of stereotyped behavior, interests and activities. In general, children who have a type of ASD have difficulty in talking, playing with other children, and relating to others, including their family.

Programs that offer any of a variety of therapeutic interventions, which may be used singly or in combination, to address the range of social, language, sensory and behavioral difficulties experienced by children and adults with autism and related disorders. Because of the spectrum nature of autism and the many behavior combinations that can occur, treatment approaches must be tailored to meet the individual needs of each person. Included are behavioral and communication development approaches such as Applied Behavioral Analysis, Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH), Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECs), Floor Time, Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT), Social Stories and sensory integration; biomedical and dietary treatments including psychiatric medications, vitamins and minerals (such as Vitamin B6, magnesium and essential fatty acids), treatment using the hormone secretin and special diets; and various complementary therapies such as music, art or equestrian therapy which may be used on an individual basis or integrated into an educational program.

Programs that:

1) pay for or provide automobiles or vans which have ramps or wheelchair lifts, or seats or steering, signaling, gear shift and braking controls that have been modified for use by people who have disabilities; and/or

2) help people with disabilities obtain this type of modification for their own vehicles.

Also included are organizations that offer devices to facilitate the operation of specific functions within the vehicle such as car door openers, car door reachers, gas cap openers, seating restraints, especially-designed rear view mirrors and other accessories that can be installed in or used with automobiles or vans.

A personality disorder that is characterized by:

• hypersensitivity to potential rejection, humiliation or shame;
• an unwillingness to enter into relationships unless given unusually strong guarantees of uncritical acceptance;
• social withdrawal despite a desire for affection and acceptance;
• low self-esteem;
• distress regarding the inability to relate comfortably to others; and
• substantial impairments in personal, social or occupational functioning as a result of these characteristics.

Individuals who have developed a physical and/or psychological dependency or any of a variety of barbiturates or other sedatives that act as central nervous system depressants; or whose use of these substances has impaired their physical or mental health or their personal, social or occupational functioning. Barbiturates are used medicinally in the treatment of insomnia, epilepsy and high blood pressure, and as an anesthetic in minor surgery. They are considered highly dangerous when taken without medical direction because of the risk of a fatal overdose, the severe withdrawal symptoms associated with physical dependence, and the life-threatening effects when combined with alcohol, tranquilizers or other drugs. Barbiturates and sedatives that are subject to abuse include, but are not limited to, Nembutol, Tuinal, Quaalude, Secanol, phenobarbital, Amytal and Doriden.

Programs that provide cash income on a regular basis, and in some cases, social services to provide for the basic material needs of income-eligible individuals and families.

Programs that furnish survival level resources including food, housing, material goods, transportation and utilities for individuals with low or fixed incomes, people who are homeless, older adults and/or people with disabilities who are otherwise unable to adequately provide for themselves and their families. Also included are related services that are available to the community at large.

Programs that provide assistance in the form of labor and supplies for people with disabilities who need to restructure their bathrooms in order to make bath, shower and toilet facilities accessible.

Programs that pay for or provide wheeled mobility devices that are especially designed to provide better mobility in the sand and allow users to enter the water while seated.

Programs that specialize in providing therapeutic interventions that utilize classical and operant conditioning techniques including positive and negative reinforcement, systematic desensitization, covert sensitization, relaxation training and aversion techniques to reduce or eliminate maladaptive behaviors (that is, types of behaviors that inhibit a person’s ability to adjust to particular situations).

Responsible for concurrent inpatient utilization review, monitoring inpatient discharge planning, and working with inpatient facilities, outpatient providers, and local governments to ensure appropriate service planning and continuity of care for high needs individuals with mental illness. Managed Care Organizativos (MCOs) can subcontract BHOs to oversee behavioral health services.

Programs that specialize in providing therapeutic interventions that are based on the principle that most disorders are learned ways of behaving that are maladaptive and consequently can be best modified in more adaptive directions through relearning. Treatment focuses directly on modifying the individual’s troublesome behaviors without reference to introspection, mental processes and contents, or analysis of the origins of the problem.

Programs that provide assistance for people who are having difficulty understanding and/or obtaining grants, payments, services or other benefits to which they are entitled by law. The programs may:

• help people understand the eligibility criteria for benefits, the benefits provided by the program, the payment process and the rights of beneficiaries;
• provide consultation and advice;
• help individuals complete benefits application forms;
• negotiate on the client/consumer’s behalf with benefits administration staff; and/or
• represent them in administrative processes or judicial litigation.

Included are benefits counseling organizations that offer a range of advocacy services and legal aid programs that offer more formalized legal assistance.

Assistance with a focus on helping individuals who are having difficulty understanding and/or obtaining grants, payments, services or other benefits for which they are eligible rather than offering more specialized services relating to a particular type of benefit.

Individuals who qualify for and are receiving basic maintenance in the form of cash grants and in some cases, social services, from a governmental source; or who are entitled to benefits based on their own or their employer’s contributions to a social insurance program.

Children or adolescents who have lost a parent, sibling, other relative or friend and whose patterns of personal, social and familial coping have been significantly affected by the loss.

Individuals who have lost someone who was close to them and whose own patterns of personal, social and familial coping have been significantly affected by the loss.

Husbands or wives who have lost their marriage partner or individuals who have lost their significant other or life partner and whose own patterns of personal, social and familial coping have been significantly affected by the loss.

An eating disorder that is characterized by recurrent binge-eating episodes during which a person feels a loss of control over his or her eating. Unlike bulimia, binge-eating episodes are not followed by purging, excessive exercise or fasting. As a result, people with binge-eating disorder often are overweight or obese. They also experience guilt, shame and/or distress about the binge-eating, which can lead to more binge-eating.

A disorder that is marked by episodes of psychotic depression, excessive well-being or mixed episodes alternating with longer periods of relative normalcy. Manic episodes are characterized by elevated, expansive or irritable moods which are accompanied by hyperactivity, pressure of speech, flight of ideas, inflated self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, distractibility and excessive involvement in activities that have a high potential for painful consequences, which is not recognized. The depressive episodes are characterized by loss of interest or pleasure in all or almost all usual activities and pastimes, appetite disturbance, change in weight, sleep disturbance, psychomotor agitation or retardation, decreased energy, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty concentrating or thinking and thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts. During mixed episodes, the individual experiences rapidly alternating moods of sadness, irritability and euphoria.

Programs that maintain and, where appropriate, provide copies of birth certificates, i.e., documents which certify the date and place of a person’s birth as well as his/her parentage. In most jurisdictions, “authorized” copies are available that are required to obtain a driver’s license, passport, Social Security card and other services related to an individual’s identity; and “informational” copies that cannot be used to establish a person’s identity. Only individuals designated by law have access to authorized copies of a person’s birth certificate.

The biological mother and father of a child as opposed to the adoptive or foster parents or stepparents.

Programs that pay for or provide aids such as long canes, laser canes, compasses and raised maps which facilitate the ability of blind people to move safely and efficiently in the school, home or community environment.

A condition in which affected individuals are totally blind and cannot see or are legally blind and have central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with maximal correction, or a peripheral field of vision that is so contracted that its widest diameter subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees.

An organized body of officials appointed to direct and supervise an educational institution or in some states (such as New York State) the higher educational system of the state as a whole.

State or local agencies or boards (a body of individuals appointed or elected) that are organized for the purpose of oversight, governance and management of schools in a state or municipality. Boards of education generally share power with a larger institution such as the government’s department of education.

Programs that raise awareness and educate the community about body image and eating issues while promoting normal eating, active living, self-acceptance, and respect and appreciation for size diversity. “Body image” refers to a person’s perception of his or her own physical appearance. People with a poor body image perceive their own body as being unattractive or even repulsive to others while people with a good body image, or positive “body acceptance,”either see themselves as attractive to others, or are willing to accept their body as it is. Concerns about body image have led to poor self-esteem, reluctance to participate in physical activities, preoccupation with weight and dieting and an increase in the likelihood of developing an eating disorder.

A personality disorder that is characterized by instabilities in a variety of areas (including interpersonal behavior, mood and self-image) which substantially impair the individual’s personal, social or occupational functioning. The person’s interpersonal relations are often intense and unstable, with marked shifts of attitude over time. The person’s mood is often unstable with rapid shifts from a normal mood to a dysphoric mood or with inappropriate, intense anger or lack of control of anger.  Their self-image, gender identity and/or long-term goals and values may be uncertain, often indicating a profound identity disturbance. In addition, the person may have problems tolerating being alone and chronic feelings of emptiness or boredom.

Programs that provide a wide range of supervised recreational activities and delinquency prevention services for children and youth of all ages and backgrounds, but particularly for disadvantaged youth, through membership in the club. Members are entitled to use recreational facilities and may have access to counseling, tutorial services, employment assistance, gang programs, drug abuse and alcoholism prevention and other activities and services that direct their energies toward positive social goals and facilitate healthy personality development.

Programs that pay for or provide equipment which can be used to create materials that are written in Braille (a system which uses raised dots to represent numerals and letters of the alphabet that can be identified by the fingers), Optacons (short for “OPtical to TActile CONverter,” an electromechanical device that enables blind people to read printed material that has not been transcribed into Braille) or other devices that help people to read and/or write using their sense of touch. Included are devices such as calculators, alarm clocks, watches, calendars, kitchen equipment, scales and other items which have tactile displays.

Programs that teach people who are blind and other interested individuals to read and write using Braille, a system that uses raised dots to represent numerals and letters of the alphabet which can be identified by the fingers.

Programs that transfer materials that were originally written in English or another language into Braille, a system that uses raised dots to represent numerals and letters of the alphabet which can be identified by the fingers.

Programs that conduct medical tests to determine the extent of brain injuries and the type of treatment and rehabilitation that are needed. Brain injuries may be hereditary, congenital, degenerative or acquired. Acquired brain injuries include central nervous system injury from physical trauma, anoxia (total depletion of oxygen) or hypoxic (low oxygen) episodes, allergic conditions, toxic substances, and other acute medical/clinical incidents.

Rehabilitation programs that develop an individually tailored treatment plan that combines the resources of physical, occupational and speech/language therapists; physiatrists (physical medicine specialists); neuropsychologists/psychiatrists; cognitive rehabilitation therapists; rehabilitation nurses; vocational counselors; social workers and/or other specialists to help individuals who have been disabled by an acquired brain injury (ABI) attain their maximum level of functioning and quality of life. Common disabilities experienced by ABI patients following acute treatment and medical stabilization include problems with cognition (thinking, memory, and reasoning), sensory processing (sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell), communication (expression and understanding), and behavior or mental health (depression, anxiety, personality changes, aggression, acting out, and social inappropriateness). Therapy generally focuses on behavioral management, neuropsychological adaptation, environmental structuring, eating and swallowing management, cognitive and communication skills, daily living and social skills, self-care, ambulation, academic and vocational skills, and community reintegration. The goal of brain injury rehabilitation is to restore functions and skills that can be recovered and to help patients learn to do things differently when functioning cannot be restored to pre-injury levels.

Programs that offer the services of individuals, usually volunteers, many from the faith community, who provide friendship, informal counseling and ongoing personal support for people in difficult circumstances (e.g., having a serious illness, experiencing a disaster) with the objective of raising their morale and helping them to cope emotionally with their situation.

A condition in which people who are obsessed with thoughts of food repeatedly gorge themselves on large amounts of food over brief periods of time, usually in secret, and stop eating only when they have pain, become very sleepy or are interrupted. People who have bulimia often fast, force themselves to vomit and use laxatives and other medication in an attempt to prevent weight gain.

The Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (BPSS) is part of the NYS Department of Education that monitors non-degree granting proprietary/private schools in New York State to make sure they deliver quality programs and provide students with the necessary skills to secure meaningful employment, and do not take advantage of them with tuition and fees.

Public programs that pay a portion of the funeral expenses of individuals who qualify, i.e., persons entitled to Social Security and/or veteran benefits.

Programs that issue a set of placards on which is written the bus stop where a person may wish to get off the bus. The purpose of the placards is to provide a reminder for the bus driver and help people with visual impairments more easily use public transportation.

Programs that provide cash or tokens for individuals who have no personal means of transportation and are unable to use public transportation (or a taxi service) for necessary local travel without assistance with the fare. Also included are programs that provide bus fare for people who need to travel out of town (e.g., for a funeral) but do not have the means to do so.

Programs that issue sets of placards, each of which has the number of a regular public transportation route in printed and Braille numerals, that people with visual impairments can use to hail an appropriate bus.

Bus transportation for people to a specific destination (e.g., an airport or senior center) or to other locations within the community (e.g., a shopping mall or downtown) following standard and regular routes and fixed time schedules.

Organizations whose members are business people, either operating their own companies or employed in organizations, who have affiliated for the purpose of promoting the general commercial interests of the community or the interests of their own trade.

Programs that provide general information about events, activities and services on a college or university campus for current and prospective students, alumni, staff, faculty, family members and the general public; help people locate the classrooms, buildings or the other needed services on campus; conduct campus outreach and student recruitment programs; and/or offer guided tours of their facilities and grounds.

Individuals who are blind or who have visual impairments are taught to use long, red-tipped white canes as mobility aids.

Volunteer dog and handler teams to expand the ability of crisis intervention teams, counselors, clergy and other trained professionals to meet the emotional needs of first responders, disaster victims, victims’ families and disaster workers affected by an incident.

An activity by a person or entity (e.g., Health Homes) formally designated as primarily responsible for coordinating services furnished by providers involved in a member’s care. This coordination may include care provided by network or non-network providers. Organizing care involves the marshaling of personnel and other resources needed to carry out all required member care activities; it is often facilitated by the exchange of information among participants responsible for different aspects of the member’s care.

Programs that introduce people who are in the process of choosing an occupation to a variety of career and vocational options. These programs provide information about the knowledge and skills that are required for specific positions in specific industries and professions; data regarding the current labor market, training and educational options, major employers, and small business development; and other reference material that is related to career planning.

Information and guidance for people who want to develop skills in a different occupational area than the one in which they have been working and who need to re-evaluate their aptitude, abilities and interests to select the most appropriate new option.

Information and guidance for people who need to evaluate their aptitude, abilities and interests in order to choose a vocation or career and select the type of training that will enable them to obtain and progress in positions in the public or private sector that are productive and fulfilling.

Programs that help people make appropriate decisions regarding the sequence of occupational roles or work experiences through which they will move during their working lives.

Beginning with the 2013-14 school year, students with disabilities are able to earn a NYS Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) Commencement Credential.

This credential recognizes each individual student’s preparation and skills for post-school employment. For students with disabilities who are exiting with a regular high school diploma, it provides them with the additional opportunity to exit school with a credential that also recognizes their work readiness skills.

Programs, which may be available via the Internet, that help individuals prepare for examinations that are required to obtain positions or promotions in different professions. Included are programs that assist people in preparing for civil service examinations or examinations in occupational areas such as accounting, construction, education, engineering, health, law, real estate or social work. Practice questions may be available.

Examinations that are required to obtain positions or promotions in different professions including civil service examinations or examinations in occupational areas such as accounting, construction, education, engineering, health, law, real estate or social work.

Opportunities for people to investigate their occupational interests through simulated job experiences such as role playing; career mentoring, i.e., pairing professionals and people interested in that occupation; and job shadowing, a work-based learning experience that allows a visitor to follow a host during a typical day (or other period of time) observing and asking questions about a particular career. Also included are police explorer programs, fire cadet explorer programs, and other similar groups which provide opportunities for youth who may be interested in pursuing a career in these fields as adults to gain experience in the area.

Programs that provide emotional support, information and guidance in individual and/or group settings for family members, friends, significant others, non-familial caregivers or attendants who are caring for someone who has a serious illness or disability or who is elderly and increasingly unable to provide for his or her own care, and are feeling overwhelmed by their responsibilities and the effect that their caregiving role has had on their lives.

People who are serving as informal primary caregivers for another person and are receiving local, state or federal financial assistance to support their efforts. Included may be family members or others such as neighbors who are primary caregivers for frail elderly, or, in some jurisdictions, adults with disabilities, or grandparents who meet age requirements and are caring for grandchildren.

Mutual support groups whose members are family, friends, significant others, non-familial caregivers or attendants who are caring for someone who has a temporary, chronic, life-threatening or terminal illness or disability or who is elderly and increasingly unable to provide for his or her own care. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; and provide emotional support, information and resources to help participants ensure their own well-being while remaining involved in the intense care of a loved one. Also included are care receiver support groups that help people who have a caregiver cope with the fact that they require care. Care receiver support groups are often offered in conjunction with caregiver support groups and are structured to allow care receivers to participate in their own group while their caregiver attends another.

Professionals, paraprofessionals and/or family members or friends who assume responsibility for attending to the daily needs of individuals who are temporarily or permanently unable to completely care for themselves due to general frailty; illnesses, injuries or progressively debilitating conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or mental illness; or other incapacitating problems.

Case Management promotes optimal health and wellness for adults diagnosed with severe mental illness and children and youth diagnosed with severe emotional disorders. Wellness and recovery goals are attained by implementing a person-centered approach to service delivery and ensuring linkages to and coordination of essential community resources. With respect for and affirmation of recipients’ personal choices, case managers foster hope where there was little before. Case Managers work in partnership with recipients to advance the process of individuals gaining control over their lives and expanding opportunities for engagement in their communities. All case management programs are organized around goals aimed at providing access to services that encourage people to:

• Resolve problems that interfere with their attainment or maintenance of independence or self sufficiency
• Maintain themselves in the community rather than an institution

Case managers:

• Promote hope and recovery by using strengths-based, culturally appropriate, and person-centered practices
• Maximize community integration and normalization
• Provide leadership in ensuring the coordination of resources for individuals eligible for mental health services Case Management is provided to Adult Home residents by Supportive Case Managers who work as a team with Peer Specialists as part of an integrated approach to addressing the needs of the Adult Home population.

Case Management promotes optimal health and wellness for adults diagnosed with severe mental illness and children and youth diagnosed with severe emotional disorders. Wellness and recovery goals are attained by implementing a person-centered approach to service delivery and ensuring linkages to and coordination of essential community resources. With respect for and affirmation of recipients’ personal choices, case managers foster hope where there was little before. Case Managers work in partnership with recipients to advance the process of individuals gaining control over their lives and expanding opportunities for engagement in their communities. All case management programs are organized around goals aimed at providing access to services that encourage people to:

• Resolve problems that interfere with their attainment or maintenance of independence or self sufficiency
• Maintain themselves in the community rather than an institution

Case managers:

• Promote hope and recovery by using strengths-based, culturally appropriate, and person-centered practices
• Maximize community integration and normalization
• Provide leadership in ensuring the coordination of resources for individuals eligible for mental health services BCM will facilitate a team approach to case management services by combining the caseloads of multiple Intensive Case Managers (ICMs) and/or Supportive Case Managers (SCMs). ICM and SCM are described below.

Case Management promotes health and wellness for adults diagnosed with severe mental illness and children and youth diagnosed with severe emotional disorders. Wellness and recovery goals are attained by implementing a person-centered approach to service delivery and ensuring linkages to and coordination of essential community resources. With respect for and affirmation of recipients’ personal choices, case managers foster hope where there was little before. Case Managers work in partnership with recipients to advance the process of individuals gaining control over their lives and expanding opportunities for engagement in their communities. All case management programs are organized around goals aimed at providing access to services that encourage people to:

• Resolve problems that interfere with their attainment or maintenance of independence or self sufficiency
• Maintain themselves in the community rather than an institution

Case managers:

• Promote hope and recovery by using strengths-based, culturally appropriate, and person-centered practices
• Maximize community integration and normalization
  • Provide leadership in ensuring the coordination of resources for individuals eligible for mental health services ICM is set at a case manager/client ratio of 1:12.

Case Management promotes optimal health and wellness for adults diagnosed with severe mental illness and children and youth diagnosed with severe emotional disorders. Wellness and recovery goals are attained by implementing a person-centered approach to service delivery and ensuring linkages to and coordination of essential community resources. With respect for and affirmation of recipients’ personal choices, case managers foster hope where there was little before. Case Managers work in partnership with recipients to advance the process of individuals gaining control over their lives and expanding opportunities for engagement in their communities. All case management programs are organized around goals aimed at providing access to services that encourage people to:

• Resolve problems that interfere with their attainment or maintenance of independence or self sufficiency
• Maintain themselves in the community rather than an institution

Case managers:

• Promote hope and recovery by using strengths-based, culturally appropriate, and person-centered practices
• Maximize community integration and normalization
• Provide leadership in ensuring the coordination of resources for individuals eligible for mental health services SCM is set at a case manager client ratio of 1:20 or 1:30.

Programs that develop and oversee the execution of plans for the evaluation, treatment and/or care of individuals who, because of age, illness, disability or other difficulties, need assistance in planning and arranging for services. Typically, case/care management services assess the individual’s needs, coordinate the delivery of needed services, ensure that services are obtained in accordance with the case plan, and follow up and monitor progress to ensure that services are having a beneficial impact on the individual.

Programs that maintain lists of individuals who are available to serve as care/case managers and which link individuals who are in need of this service with appropriate resources. Care/case managers develop plans for the evaluation, treatment and/or care of individuals who, because of age, illness, disability or other difficulties, need assistance in planning and arranging for services.  Case/care managers assess the individual’s needs; coordinate the delivery of needed services; ensure that services are obtained in accordance with the case plan; and follow up and monitor progress to ensure that services are having a beneficial impact on the individual.

Temporary facilities that are established at predetermined locations in areas devastated by a major disaster or large-scale emergency to collect, register, triage, treat (life-saving interventions only), hold (for a minimum amount of time) and evacuate, if necessary, individuals who have been injured during the incident. In disaster situations in which regional and area hospitals are overwhelmed or unusable, the CCP can function as a receiving center for casualties from the injury site and for hospital patients needing continuing care. The CCP, in this instance, is an evacuation conduit. In a disaster with a large number of casualties, many of which do not need hospital care, the CCP may triage patients and control access to functioning hospitals and emergency rooms. In disaster situations in which normal hospital operations are functioning and not overwhelmed, CCPs may function as minor treatment facilities for people who need first aid and/or patient holding facilities for the selective evacuation of hospital patients. CCP sites may be co-located at certain existing hospitals.

A part of SAMHSA, this center promotes the development of integrated primary and behavioral health services to better serve individuals with mental health and substance use conditions.

Consumer controlled, community based, cross disability, nonresidential agencies designed and operated within a local community by individuals with disabilities that provide an array of independent living services. All CILs provide four core services: information and referral, independent living skills training, peer counseling, and individual and systems advocacy. In addition, many CILs also offer transportation services, mobility training, personal assistance, housing and home modifications, recreation services, vocational programs, assistance in obtaining assistive technology equipment and other individualized services designed to increase and maintain independence.

Programs that evaluate individuals who abuse alcohol and triage them for the limited number of subsidized (i.e., publicly funded) beds that may be available in the community. Some programs may also offer medical detoxification services for people who need them.

Programs that evaluate individuals who abuse drugs other than alcohol and triage them for the limited number of subsidized (i.e., publicly funded) beds that may be available in the community. Some intake/assessment programs may also offer medical detoxification services for people who need them.

Programs that coordinate long-term, short-term and respite psychiatric hospitalization and/or residential treatment services in a designated geographical area by evaluating people who are experiencing psychiatric emergencies or related problems and placing them in facilities where space is available.

Programs that serve as gatekeeper agencies which evaluate individuals who are in need of substance abuse services and triage them for the limited number of subsidized (i.e., publicly funded) beds that may be available in the community. Some intake/assessment programs may also offer medical detoxification services for people who need them.

A central nervous system impairment that is characterized by an inability to fully control motor function and, depending on the area of the brain that has been damaged, by one or more of the following: spasms; tonal problems; involuntary movement; disturbances in gait and mobility; seizures; abnormal sensation and perception; impairment of sight, hearing or speech; and intellectual disabilities. There are three main types of cerebral palsy: spastic CP, which is characterized by stiff and difficult movement; athetoid CP (also called dyskinetic CP), which is characterized by involuntary and uncontrolled movement; and mixed CP, which is characterized by a combination of symptoms. Some muscles are too tight, and others are too loose, creating a mix of stiffness and involuntary movements. The causes of cerebral palsy include illness during pregnancy, premature delivery and lack of oxygen supply to the baby. In rare cases of acquired cerebral palsy, head injury is the most common cause.

A person certified and approved to work in addiction recovery.

Programs other than official navigators or in-person assisters (IPAs) that connect consumers to the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) expanded health care options and facilitate enrollment through the marketplace. The marketplace certifies employees and volunteers of organizations such as health clinics and hospitals that must meet training requirements, security standards and conflict of interest rules similar to those governing IPAs and navigators.

Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP) provides funding to pay for services to help youth prepare for and enter post-secondary education. Some of these services include academic support services including educational and career assessment and counseling, tutorial and mentoring services, examination preparation, SAT/ACT/PSAT fees, applications for admission to college, visits to colleges and clothing for college interviews. The program is intended to serve youth who are likely to remain in foster care until age 18; youth who, after attaining 16 years of age, have left foster care for kinship guardianship or adoption; and young adults ages 18-21 who have “aged out” of the foster care system.

Elementary or secondary schools operated by a nonprofit board under a contractual arrangement with a state education authority, public university, community college, intermediate school district or local school district. Charter schools can operate any combination of grades from kindergarten through 12th grade, can specialize in a specific subject area or approach, may be required to meet specialized accountability standards and/or to abide by the same laws and regulations that govern public schools, and cannot charge tuition.

Programs that provide immediate assistance for parents who have abused or fear they may abuse their children with the objective of defusing the parent’s anger and frustration and ensuring the child’s future safety through referrals for ongoing support and treatment. Also included may be services for abused children and concerned others who are in need of advice, guidance and/or emotional support. Hotline staff are generally available via the telephone, email, live chat and/or instant message (IM).

To REPORT child abuse in New York State, the Child Abuse Hotline is 1-800-342-3720.

Programs, often offered in the schools or in other community settings, that attempt to protect children from physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse or exploitation through a variety of educational interventions which may focus on children of various ages, parents, people who work with children and/or the community at large. The sessions may offer suggestions for children and/or parents regarding ways of avoiding or handling an abusive or potentially abusive situation and/or information about the indicators and incidence of abuse, requirements for reporting abuse and community resources that are available to children who have been abused and to their families.

Programs that maintain databases of all substantiated cases of child abuse within the jurisdiction. The registries are used to protect children from known perpetrators and are searched in situations where individuals apply to become a foster parent, adoptive parent, child care provider, homemaker, parent aide, student trainee or employee of a residential facility for children or youth. The registries are generally maintained by children’s protective services programs and may be searched by child abuse workers upon request by employers whose staff provide care, custody, treatment, transportation or supervision of children; owners/operators of facilities regulated by the program; law enforcement officials; children’s protection agencies in other jurisdictions; and others who are specified by statute.

Programs that accept and respond to reports of child abuse or neglect. Services include assessment of the initial referral, assignment of an appropriate response time, consultation with the family to determine the nature of the problem and do initial case planning, and emergency placement services if the child is removed from the family by the police.

Programs that operate centers which facilitate a multidisciplinary approach to the investigation and treatment of child abuse cases. Services generally include:

• videotaped interviews of child abuse victims in safe, child-friendly surroundings to avoid multiple interviews, reduce the trauma of disclosure and preserve statements for court purposes;
• crisis intervention and emotional support for victims and non-offending family members;
• forensic medical examinations;
• psychotherapy services including play therapy, family therapy and individual counseling for parents;
• support groups;
• case management;
• and interdisciplinary review of cases by teams of professionals including law enforcement, children’s protective services, prosecution, medical, mental health, victim assistance, and child advocacy personnel.

Programs that are staffed by licensed physicians who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of thinking, feeling and behavior affecting children, adolescents and their families. Services include an assessment that involves a detailed exploration of current concerns about the child or adolescent’s emotional or behavioral problems, physical health and development, history of parental care (including possible abuse), family relationships and any history of parental/familial mental illness; and a variety of treatment options that may include psychotherapy, medication and/or consultation with other physicians or professionals from schools, juvenile courts, social agencies or other community organizations.

The Child and Adolescent Service System Program (CASSP) is a comprehensive mental health program for children and their families. This program is based on a well-defined set of principles for mental health services for children and adolescents with or at risk of developing severe emotional disorders and their families. 

These principles are summarized in six core statements. ??’?

• Child-centered: Services meet the individual needs of the child, consider the child’s family and community contexts, and are developmentally appropriate, strengths-based and child-specific. ??’?
• Family-focused: Services recognize that the family is the primary support system for the child and participates as a full partner in all stages of the decision-making and treatment planning process. ??’?
• Community-based: Whenever possible, services are delivered in the child’s home community, drawing on formal and informal resources to promote the child’s successful participation in the community. ??’?
• Multi-system: Services are planned in collaboration with all the child-serving systems involved in the child’s life. ??’? Culturally competent: Services recognize and respect the behavior, ideas, attitudes, values, beliefs, customs, language, rituals, ceremonies and practices characteristic of the child’s and family’s ethnic group. ??’?
• Least restrictive/least intrusive: Services take place in settings that are the most appropriate and natural for the child and family and are the least restrictive and intrusive available to meet the needs of the child and family.

Programs that are licensed to provide supervised care within designated facilities for children during some portion of a 24-hour day. Staff for approved day care centers must meet defined educational requirements; the program must ensure specified adult/child ratios; and the facility must meet building, fire and zoning codes. Services may include recreational and developmental activities and snacks and/or meals, as appropriate.

Programs that cover all or part of the cost of child care in public and licensed private child care centers or private family child care homes, usually for low-income families or families which include children with disabilities in situations where parents are working, in school or in a training program. Also included are programs that pay the costs of in-home or out-of-home child care when the parent is receiving diagnostic tests, undergoing medical treatment, is hospitalized or needs to be out of the house for other reasons; and those that provide financial assistance to families with young children to help cover some of the costs of a parent staying home to care for their child.

Programs that provide problem-solving consultation and advice for parents and child care providers to support children who are experiencing behavioral or emotional challenges in their child care setting that put them at risk for losing access to their child care. The program aims to ensure the success of all children in child care and increase the number of families and child care providers who effectively nurture the social and emotional development of young children in licensed child care programs. Services include observation and assessment, home visits, child care site visits, behavior management strategies for the child care setting and the home, adaptations in the child care environment, team planning and community referrals, and staff training. The programs differ from community to community in a number of ways including the type of services provided (behavioral-oriented versus therapy-oriented), the credentials of professionals providing the service (licensed therapists, behaviorists, early childhood specialists/educators), and the degree to which they work individually with children and families. They are generally implemented within a collaborative relationship between local community mental health agencies and local/regional child care resource and referral association offices, though other organizations may also be involved.

Programs that establish and enforce health, safety and program standards for child care facilities including child care centers and family child care homes, review applications for licenses, issue or deny licenses, inspect facilities for compliance with requirements and revoke licenses or bring disciplinary action for noncompliance.

Programs that provide substitute parental care in a group setting for children during some portion of a 24-hour day. Services may include recreational and developmental activities and snacks and/or meals as appropriate.

Mutual support groups whose members are individuals who are separated, have divorced or are in the process of divorcing and are struggling with the emotional and practical impact of separating households and dealing with custody and support agreements. Meeting formats may include in-person, telephone or Internet options.

Programs that offer classes for parents or for parents and their children that focus on the developmental stages of maturation from infancy through adolescence and the child rearing problems that arise with each stage. Classes may be purely instructional or may include an experiential element in which parents bring their infants or toddlers to class and observe their behavior as an example of the specific material being discussed.

Programs that provide assistance for people who are in favor of or want to oppose the appointment of a guardian to care for and/or manage the affairs of a child or adolescent during minority. The court may appoint a guardian of the person in situations where there is no parent to meet the child’s needs due to death, incapacity, abandonment, military service or other reasons; and/or a guardian of the child’s estate. In the latter situation, the guardian is given responsibility for managing the child’s funds, collecting and making an inventory of the child’s assets, keeping accurate financial records, and regularly filing financial accountings with the court.

Programs that specialize in the treatment of children from infancy to age 12 who have adjustment problems, behavior problems, emotional disturbances, a personality disorder or incipient mental illness.

Children who are receiving health insurance through the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), a program that is jointly financed by the federal and state governments and administered by the states. In some states, CHIP is an expansion of the Medicaid program and allows children of parents with higher incomes than were allowable in the past to participate and receive health insurance through Medicaid. In other states, CHIP is a separate program from Medicaid and covers children whose parents have incomes that are higher than the state’s Medicaid eligibility levels.

Organizations that help families obtain health insurance for their children under the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, a program that is jointly financed by the federal and state governments and administered by the states. In some states, CHIP is an expansion of the Medicaid program and allows children of parents with higher incomes than were allowable in the past to participate and receive health insurance through Medicaid. In other states, CHIP is a separate program from Medicaid and covers children whose parents have incomes that are higher than the state’s Medicaid eligibility levels. Within broad federal guidelines, each state determines the design of its program, eligibility groups, benefit packages, payment levels for coverage, and administrative and operating procedures. The insurance pays for doctor visits, immunizations, hospitalizations and emergency room visits, but additional services may be available depending on the benefits defined by the state. Depending on the family’s income, insurance premiums and co-pays may apply.

Individuals younger than age 18 who have been subjected to sexual abuse by a parent, a guardian or other family or extended family member whom the child trusts and who is in a position of power over the child. Sexual abuse includes any form of sexual activity that is imposed upon a child, regardless of the child’s cooperation, from lewd remarks or voyeurism to fondling, oral copulation, sodomy or rape.

Programs that investigate reports of child abuse, neglect, or maltreatment; document substantiated cases; provide for the temporary placement of children who, for their own protection, have been removed from the custody of the adults who are responsible for their care; work with families who are experiencing a problem with child abuse with the objective of facilitating continued family unification or reunification; and provide ongoing support services for children in permanent placement.

Individuals younger than age 18 who have survived actual or attempted acts of rape, forced oral copulation, sodomy, fondling, indecent exposure or other forms of sexual assault by an individual other than a family member.

Programs that provide a hotline or other mechanisms that the public can use to report instances in which an individual or group of individuals is involved in the possession, manufacture and/or distribution of child pornography; online enticement of children for sexual acts; child prostitution; child sex tourism; non-familial child sexual molestation; sending unsolicited obscene material to a child or other acts that constitute child sexual exploitation.

The Child Support program helps strengthen families by placing the responsibility for supporting children on those parents with the financial resources to provide such support. The program assists custodial parents in establishing paternity, and obtaining, modifying and enforcing financial and medical support obligations. It is administered by the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) and local child support offices.

www.childsupport.ny.gov

Programs that provide door-to-door (or curb-to-curb) transportation to help families who meet eligibility guidelines get their children to and from child care or children’s activities when they are unable to do so on their own.

Organizations whose members are agencies and individual professionals concerned with the welfare of children, youth and their families who have affiliated for the purpose of promoting mutual interests, participating in seminars and conferences, networking with their peers, subscribing to journals and other publications, and taking advantage of other opportunities for continuing professional development. Members may work in a particular field such as adoption, children’s protective services, foster care or parenting; or may represent a broad range of systems that serve children, youth and their families. Many child welfare/family services associations:

set standards which relate to the qualifications and performance of members;

offer certification programs;

maintain a job bank;

provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and information;

promote high quality services through publications, training, consultation and other forms of support which strengthen member agencies and their staffs; and

support a public policy agenda that promotes the well-being of the population they serve.

The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) is designed as a clinical rating scale for the trained clinician to rate items indicative of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) after direct observation of the child. The scale was designed to help differentiate children with autism from those with other developmental delays, such as intellectual disability. The CARS-2 is preferred over the older, original CARS. The form is used with individuals of all ages and in both clinical and research settings. 

CARS was originally developed beginning in 1966 and first published in 1989.  Although there is no gold standard among rating scales in detecting autism, CARS is frequently used as part of the diagnostic process.

An extremely rare disorder occurring in children age three or four that is characterized by deterioration over several months in intellectual, social, and language functioning from previously normal behavior. Normal development is seen up to age two. The cause of childhood disintegrative disorder is unknown, but it has been linked to neurological problems. A child with this disorder has a loss of communication skills, regression in nonverbal behaviors, and significant loss of previously acquired skills such as the ability to move, and bowel and bladder control.

The Child and Adolescent Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team is a community based program which provides or arranges for services, treatment and support to families with children at significant risk for out-of-home placement for whom traditionally structured services have not met their needs. The team offers a point of responsibility for serving youth with serious emotional disturbance. By providing intensive home and community based services in the youth’s home community, the team can preserve family integrity and prevent unnecessary out-of-home placement. Success for youth requires both effective treatment and services that are flexible enough to meet families ever changing needs. Teams employ a wraparound, strength-based care coordination model which is child-centered and family-focused, fundamental to enhancing resiliency, meeting the imperatives of developmental stages and promoting wellness for each child and family. It ensures effective interventions by implementing a creative and collaborative partnership with the family, treatment provider(s), community-based services and other natural supports. Intensive in-home services include case management, therapy, education and skill building services, among others to improve the families and youth’s skills and abilities.

Children and adolescents who have physical, sensory, developmental, cognitive, mental or emotional limitations that affect their performance in school and their ability to engage in one or more major life activities.

A disorder arising in childhood or adolescence which is marked by:

an inability to learn or other functional deficits that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory or health factors;

an inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers, teachers and other adults;

inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances; a general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression;

and a tendency to develop physical fears associated with school problems or other issues that is severe enough to adversely affect the child’s educational performance or ability to engage in age-appropriate activities.

Characteristics may include hyperactivity, aggression or self-injurious behavior, withdrawal, immaturity, and learning difficulties.

Children and youth ages birth through 21 years of age with special health care needs.

Children who have been placed with a grandparent, aunt, uncle or other relative, member of the child’s tribe or clan, godparent, stepparent, friend of family or another adult who has a long-standing relationship with the child or the family, generally as a result of a juvenile court order finding of abuse, neglect, dependency, abandonment or special medical circumstances and a decision of the children’s protective services agency.

Children who live with a grandparent, aunt, uncle or other relative, member of the child’s tribe or clan, godparent, stepparent, friend of family or another adult who has a long-standing relationship with the child or the family under an informal arrangement where the family decides that the child will live with relatives or other kin. While a social worker may be involved in helping family members plan for the child, a child welfare agency does not assume legal custody of or responsibility for the child; and because the parents retain custody of the child, relatives need not be approved, licensed, or supervised by the jurisdiction.

Children who live with a grandparent, aunt, uncle or other relative, member of the child?›ƒ?ªƒ?›s tribe or clan, godparent, stepparent, friend of family or another adult who has a long-standing relationship with the child or the family under a formal or informal arrangement in situations where their parents are no longer able or willing to provide for their care.

Children whose own personal, social and familial coping have been significantly affected by a parent or parent figure who abuses alcohol.

Children whose own personal, social and familial coping have been significantly affected by a parent or parent figure who abuses drugs.

Programs that establish and enforce health, safety and program standards for group homes for dependent children or children with physical or developmental disabilities or emotional problems, review applications for licenses, issue or deny licenses, inspect facilities for compliance with requirements and revoke licenses or bring disciplinary action for noncompliance.

Programs that provide a brief period of rest or relief for parents, grandparents, guardians, family members or others who are regular caregivers for dependent children by offering temporary or intermittent care for the child in their own home.

Programs that provide a brief period of rest or relief for parents, grandparents, guardians, or other family members who are regular caregivers for dependent children by offering temporary or intermittent care for the child in a community setting/facility.

Programs that provide regularly scheduled opportunities for children to engage in supervised play with one another.

to be written

Programs offered in special units of general acute care hospitals that provide diagnostic and treatment services for children from infancy through age 12 who have acute psychiatric disorders, require hospitalization for maximum benefit, and who may be a threat to themselves, to their families or to others if left in the community or placed in a less restrictive treatment setting. Services may include a comprehensive evaluation; 24-hour care in a supportive, therapeutic environment; counseling for the patient and family; adjunctive therapies as needed; medication, if required; and an aftercare program following discharge.

The Children’s Residential Project (CRP) is a joint endeavor between the State Education Department (SED) and the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) to provide educational and residential programs for severely developmentally disabled children. Children classified within the education system as autistic, mentally retarded, orthopedically impaired, other health impaired, traumatically brain injured or multiply disabled may be eligible for placement in a CRP program. The CRP is a voluntary program, and parents must agree to participate before a district can pursue placement.

Children’s Residential Project programs consist of an SED-approved private school, also known as an 853 School, and an OPWDD-certified residential facility, known as an Intermediate Care Facility for Developmentally Disabled (ICF/DD). As a result of this joint State agency involvement, admission to CRP programs is limited to those children identified through the education system as needing educational/residential services who also meet the residential eligibility criteria for the ICF/DD established by OPWDD.

Twelve schools on the list of in-state approved residential schools are designated as Children’s Residential Project (CRP) programs. Placement of students in CRP programs requires special procedures as described on the NYS Education Department’s website.

Programs that provide health insurance for children who do not qualify for Medicaid and who have no access to privately purchased health insurance or to insurance provided through a family member’s employer. Services covered by these programs vary by state but generally include hospitalization, physician services, emergency room visits, family planning, immunizations, laboratory and x-ray services, outpatient surgery, chiropractic care, prescriptions, eye exams, eye glasses and dental care. Eligibility requirements also vary. Included are state and/or local government health insurance programs which may be administered by the state or at the local level and public/private partnerships between state and/or local government entities and health insurance companies or other private organizations. Health care is generally provided through participating managed care plans in the area. Also included are other programs that help people prepare and file Children’s State/Local Health Insurance applications and/or are authorized to do eligibility determinations for the program.

Institutions whose primary function is to provide diagnostic and long or short-term treatment services for children and adolescents from infancy through age 17 who have acute psychiatric disorders, require hospitalization for maximum benefit, and who may be a threat to themselves, to their families or to others if left in the community or placed in a less restrictive treatment setting. Services may include a comprehensive evaluation; 24-hour care in a supportive, therapeutic environment; counseling for the patient and family; adjunctive therapies, as needed; medication, if required; and an aftercare program following discharge.

Programs that provide a therapeutic living environment in a community-based facility for emotionally disturbed, severely learning disabled, delinquent, pre-delinquent and/or abused children and youth who, because of the severity of their problems, are unable to adjust to other placements but do not require inpatient psychiatric hospitalization. Services include crisis stabilization, initial and continuing bio-psychosocial assessment, care management, medication management, therapy and mobilization of family support and community resources in the context of a comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment plan. Residents often attend on-grounds schools or public special education classes and receive services that are geared to their individual needs and the goal of returning to their own or their foster families.

A depressive disorder (also known as dysthymia or dysthymic disorder) that is characterized by a chronically depressed (low, apathetic, lifeless, hopeless) mood that occurs most of each day more days than not for at least two years accompanied by at least two additional depressive symptoms including poor appetite or overeating, insomnia, hypersomnia, low energy or fatigue, low self-esteem, poor concentration or difficulty making decisions, and feelings of hopelessness. Dysthymia is considered a less severe but longer lasting form of depression than major depression; and usually begins at an earlier age and results in a more persistent impairment of daily function. Many individuals with dysthymic disorder develop major depression within a period of five years.

A number of mental or emotional conditions of a seriously debilitating nature which progress or do not respond positively to treatment over a period of time and which require adjustments on the part of the individual and his or her significant others, or long-term medication, to make daily functioning possible.

CUNY is the public university system in New York City providing four and two year degrees and adult, continuing and professional education students at 24 campuses across the 5 Boroughs of New York City.

Programs that provide or assist people to obtain positions in federal, state, city or town government which are filled on the basis of merit and the results of a competitive examination.

Programs that offer employment related training courses, generally in a traditional classroom setting, which provide participants with the technical skills and information they need to perform a particular job or group of jobs. The training has a structured, defined curriculum and may feature lectures, demonstrations, simulations, role-playing, self-study and other similar activities. Classroom style training is also the primary format used for training in the “soft skills” that are required to get a job, stay employed and advance.

A clinic treatment program provides treatment designed to minimize the symptoms and adverse effects of illness, maximize wellness, and promote recovery. A clinic treatment program for adults provides the following services: outreach, initial assessment (including health screening), psychiatric assessment, crisis intervention, injectable psychotropic medication administration (for clinics serving adults), psychotropic medication treatment, psychotherapy services, family/collateral psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, and complex care management. The following optional services may also be provided: developmental testing, psychological testing, health physicals, health monitoring, and psychiatric consultation. A clinic treatment program for children provides the following services: outreach, initial assessment (including health screening), psychiatric assessment, crisis intervention, psychotropic medication treatment, psychotherapy services, family/collateral psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, and complex care management. The following optional services may also be provided: developmental testing, psychological testing, health physicals, health monitoring, psychiatric consultation, and injectable psychotropic medication administration.

Programs that utilize a variety of means to evaluate the mental or emotional status or functioning of people who may be experiencing acute or chronic disturbances. Diagnostic techniques may include observation of the person’s behavior, interviews with the individual and significant others, psychological testing as indicated, medical examination, assessment for psychotropic or other medication, and the formulation of an appropriate, ongoing treatment plan which may include voluntary or involuntary hospitalization.

Organizations that transcribe pre-recorded/live television programs and films for viewers who are deaf or have hearing impairments or are learning to read. The closed captioning typically identifies the program’s speakers and includes spoken dialogue, music, laughter and sound effects. The captions are hidden as data within the television signal and must be decoded by either a set-top decoder or caption-ready television set in order to be viewed.

Voluntary, person-centered membership programs for people with a history of mental illness that offer social, recreational, prevocational and vocational rehabilitation services within the context of a supportive and structured environment where members can be involved in meaningful activities which help them regain a sense of self-worth, purpose and confidence and enhance their ability to sustain independent living. Members establish their own schedules within an ordered day, choose the activities they will regularly participate in, and are actively engaged and supported by staff and other members in the activities and tasks they have chosen. Services provided through the group experience of the ordered day include a wide array of skill development activities and training designed to assist the member to gain control of debilitative aspects of their illness, acquire personal and social competencies, and establish and navigate environmental support systems. Also included are clubhouse model programs for other populations such as people with brain injuries.

Co-dependency is a learned behavior that can be passed down from one generation to another. It is an emotional and behavioral condition that affects an individual’s ability to have a healthy, mutually satisfying relationship. It is also known as “relationship addiction” because people with codependency often form or maintain relationships that are one-sided, emotionally destructive and/or abusive.

Programs that are specially designed for parents who are separated, in the process of divorcing or have divorced or who never married but have children and who need to develop the knowledge and skills to understand and respond to the special needs their children may have as a result of the divorce/separation and to succeed in their ongoing roles as mother and father despite the fact that they are no longer husband and wife or partners. Topics may include the impact of separation and divorce on families, developmental stages of children and expected reactions to divorce, skills parents can use to minimize stress and help children to cope, guidelines for reducing conflicts and solving custody issues out of court and recognizing when a child needs special help and where to find resources. Co-parenting workshops may also be structured for parents in other situations.

Individuals who have a physical and/or psychological dependency on cocaine; or whose use of the drug has impaired their physical or mental health or their personal, social or occupational functioning. Cocaine is sniffed, injected intravenously or free based (smoked in water pipes or cigarettes); and acts as a euphoric (i.e., a cause of feelings of intense excitement and happiness) and a central nervous system stimulant. Negative side effects developed by heavy users include anxiety, paranoia, depression, insomnia, nausea, dizziness, hallucinations, increased respiration and occasionally, collapse and death from respiratory failure.

Programs that pay for or provide equipment or other products such as reminder systems, prompting aids and problem solving aids which facilitate the functioning of individuals who have Alzheimer’s disease or other conditions which impair memory and other cognitive abilities. “Cognitive” is a term that describes the processes people use for remembering, reasoning, understanding and using judgment.

Programs that provide daytime, evening, and/or overnight accommodations during times of extreme cold for people who are temporarily at risk for exposure due to a power failure, fuel shortage, road closure, homelessness, or other situations which make them vulnerable.

Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) is the non-punitive, non-adversarial, trauma-informed model of care Dr. Ross Greene originated and describes in his various books, including The Explosive Child, Lost at School, Lost & Found, and Raising Human Beings. The model is based on the premise that challenging behavior occurs when the expectations being placed on a kid exceed the kid’s capacity to respond adaptively, and that some kids are lacking the skills to handle certain demands and expectations. So the emphasis of the model isn’t on kids’ challenging behavior, which is – whether it’s whining, pouting, sulking, withdrawing, crying, screaming, swearing, hitting, spitting, biting, or worse – just the manner in which they are expressing the fact that there are expectations they’re having difficulty meeting. Nor does the model focus on psychiatric diagnoses, which are simply categories of challenging behaviors. Rather, the model focuses on identifying the skills the kid is lacking and the expectations he or she is having difficulty meeting (in the CPS model, those unmet expectations are referred to as unsolved problems). Then the goal is to help kids and caregivers solve those problems rather than trying to modify kids’ behavior through application of rewards and punishments.

Administrative offices, usually in postsecondary educational institutions, that are responsible for the recruitment, selection and admission of students and which provide information about admissions criteria and application procedures.

Programs that enable college or university students who have established their superiority by participating in their department honors program to earn course credit by examination.

Students at the college/university level who have left school without completing their course work and earning their diplomas.

Programs that offer courses, which may be available via the Internet, that prepare prospective students to take the SAT, ACT or other aptitude and/or achievement tests which are utilized by colleges and universities to screen and select students for admission to their undergraduate programs. Practice questions may be available.

Programs that administer achievement, aptitude or other measures for the express purpose of screening and selecting students to be admitted to the undergraduate program of a college or university. College entrance examinations are required by some institutions of all candidates for admission and by others of all candidates whose academic record is below a certain standard.

Programs that provide information and guidance for high school students and others who are preparing for or in the process of choosing and applying for admission to a college, university or other postsecondary institution. Assistance may include information about various college/university programs and their requirements, advice on college/university selection, suggestions regarding high school classes students should take to best qualify for the school of their choice, information and counseling regarding financial aid, assistance in completing necessary application forms and supporting materials such as application essays, and advice regarding the scheduling of SATs/ACTs. The objective of most college/university entrance support programs is to help students select the most appropriate institution and present their credentials in a way that heightens their chances of having their application accepted. Included are programs that sponsor fairs where representatives from a broad range of postsecondary institutions are available to meet with prospective students and discuss course offerings, admission and financial aid requirements, college/university life in general and other information that is pertinent to the selection process.

Programs that offer courses, which may be available via the Internet, that prepare prospective students to take tests in specific subject areas such as English, foreign languages, mathematics, history and other similar subjects which are used to assign students to the appropriate course level for instruction. Practice questions may be available.

Administrative offices, usually in postsecondary educational institutions, that are responsible for coordinating the payment of registration of fees, the enrollment of students in classes and the maintenance of student academic records.

Programs that provide an opportunity for college-bound students to visit higher education institutions in different parts of the country, evaluate their options and make an informed decision about the school they would like to attend. The tours may include materials about each school, an orientation workshop, a college selection workbook, information about scholarships and financial aid, student-led tours of the campus, class visits, discussions with professors, interaction with students, a look at housing and other facilities, meetings with admissions staff and other helpful information.

Postsecondary educational institutions that offer the highest possible level of formal learning in various fields and disciplines for people who meet entry level requirements and are interested in an advanced education. Included are public and private colleges and universities that offer a four year, undergraduate course of study, which award a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S. or B. Sc.) degree to successful graduates; and those that offer postgraduate study at masters or doctorate levels in addition to an undergraduate program.

Programs that provide special stuffed animals, blankets, books, toys, get well cards, small gifts or other items for adults and/or children who are experiencing a traumatic situation to help them regain a sense of comfort and security.

A comfort room is a preventative tool used to reduce the use of restraint and seclusion in facilities that serve individuals with mental illness. A comfort room is a designated space that is designed in a way that is calming to the senses and where the user can experience visual, auditory, olfactory, and tactile stimuli. A comfort room is furnished with items that are physically comfortable and pleasing to the senses in order to provide a sanctuary from stress. A comfort room is used as a tool to teach individuals calming techniques in order to decrease agitation and aggressive behavior. The goal in using the comfort room is to develop practical skills that can be used in inpatient settings and after being discharged from psychiatric care.

Programs that make alterations in commercially available assistive technology products to ensure their suitability for particular individuals.

The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) is an international, non-profit organization founded in 1966 with the assistance of Mary E. Switzer, then U.S. Social and Rehabilitation Services Commissioner.  The mission of CARF is to promote quality, value, and optimal services through a consultative accreditation process of continuous improvement the centers on enhancing the lives of persons served.

http://www.carf.org/home/

Every school district has a Committee on Preschool Special Education and a Committee on Special Education that decide a child’s special education needs and services. The CPSE is responsible for children with disabilities ages 3-5 . The CSE is responsible for children with disabilities ages 5-21. Some school districts also have Subcommittees on Special Education (sometimes called the SubCSE). In New York City the Subcommittee is sometimes called the School Based Support Team. The child’s parent or guardian is a member of the Committee that will recommend special education services for their child. 

As a parent, you know your child better than anyone else and have valuable knowledge to bring to Committee discussions. Other members of the Committees are people who have a broad range of experiences planning for and/or working with students with disabilities. Together you will work to make sure that special education programs and services are provided to meet your child’s needs.

Every school district has a Committee on Preschool Special Education and a Committee on Special Education that decide a child’s special education needs and services. The CPSE is responsible for children with disabilities ages 3-5 . The CSE is responsible for children with disabilities ages 5-21. Some school districts also have Subcommittees on Special Education (sometimes called the SubCSE). In New York City the Subcommittee is sometimes called the School Based Support Team. The child’s parent or guardian is a member of the Committee that will recommend special education services for their child. 

As a parent, you know your child better than anyone else and have valuable knowledge to bring to Committee discussions.  Other members of the Committees are people who have a broad range of experiences planning for and/or working with students with disabilities. Together you will work to make sure that special education programs and services are provided to meet your child’s needs.

The Common Core State Standards are a new set of learning standards that describe the skills and knowledge students are expected to have at each grade level in order to be college and/or career ready by the time they graduate from high school. New York State has adopted the Common Core and teachers across the state are now planning lessons and assignments using the Common Core. State tests are also being redesigned to measure student progress in meeting the Common Core standards.

Programs that utilize CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) reporters to transcribe spoken words into text, word-for-word. The CART reporter is a trained court reporter who uses a shorthand machine or voice recognition software, a computer and realtime captioning software to type and simultaneously translate spoken language into text on the computer screen. The service enables people who are deaf or have hearing impairments but do not utilize sign language as their mode of communication to access material that is being presented verbally via text and permits people without intelligible speech to participate by typing their remarks or questions for the CART reporter to voice. Bilingual realtime translations may also be available.

Language, articulation, voice and/or fluency disorders which are outside the range of acceptable variation in a given environment and which are inconsistent with the person’s chronological and/or developmental age.

Organizations whose members have joined together on a voluntary basis to promote a particular cause or work for the realization of a specific social or political goal.

Public postsecondary educational institutions administered by local districts that provide learning opportunities for adults who want to learn new skills, prepare for a new career or advancement in their present job, earn an eighth grade or high school diploma, improve personal skills in English or another language, become a more knowledgeable consumer, or prepare to assume a more effective role as a participating member of the community.

Privately operated, for-profit or nonprofit preschool programs based in community settings that have no specialized curriculum and are accessible to all children in the community. Activities generally include shape, color and number recognition; outdoor play; observation of nature and pets; fine and gross motor activities; pre-reading and pre-writing skills development; and opportunities for socialization. Community based preschools may offer half-day sessions (or less) that may be available to different groups of children on specific days of the week.

The local administrative units that are responsible for operating community colleges in specific geographical areas.

Public postsecondary educational institutions, commonly organized into two-year programs, which offer instruction that has been adapted in content, level and schedule to meet the needs of the community in which they are located. Community colleges generally offer a comprehensive curriculum which includes basic liberal arts and sciences with transfer, occupational, general education and adult education components. The program awards an Associates in Arts (A.A.) degree/certificate to those who successfully complete the requirements.

Community-based outpatient facilities that offer individual, group, conjoint and family counseling, therapy groups, medication and other mental health services for community residents, especially those who are indigent, who have acute or chronic psychiatric disorders or who may be experiencing difficulty resolving personal or interpersonal conflicts or making personal adjustments to stressful life situations such as separation, divorce, loss of a spouse or a child, poor health, unemployment, family violence, delinquency or substance abuse. Included may be city and county-operated and nonprofit facilities.

Community Residence for Eating Disorder Integrated Treatment (CREDIT) is a subclass of community residence program for either children and adolescents ages 12-18 or for adults over age 18 who have been diagnosed with an eating disorder, whose individual treatment issues preclude family settings or other less restrictive alternatives. A CREDIT program in addition to the requirements for licensed residential programs also must be affiliated with an entity designated by the New York State Department of Health as a Comprehensive Care Center for Eating Disorders (CCCED). This program receives no state funding and is not approved to bill Medicaid. This program is described in the OMH regulations Parts 594 and 595.

The single room occupancy residence which provides long-term housing where residents can access the support services they require to live successfully in the community and to eventually move to other residential settings. Front desk coverage is provided 24 hours per day. Mental health services are provided either by program staff or non-residential service providers, according to a plan which is developed jointly by the provider and resident. Individuals may remain in residence as long as the services provided in the program are needed.

This is a type of Licensed Housing/Community Residential program for adults as defined in 14NYCRR595.

A Community Residence which provides a supervised, therapeutic environment for six to eight children or adolescents, between the ages of 5 and 18 years, that includes structured daily living activities, problem solving skills development, a behavior management system and caring consistent adult interactions. Most often, needed clinical supports for the child and family are provided by community-based services.

This is a type of Licensed Housing/Community Residential program for children and adolescents as defined in 14NYCRR594.

Programs that provide temporary shelter in facilities that are designed or retrofitted to withstand tornado or hurricane force winds and sited away from potential debris hazards for people whose own homes or workplaces may be unsafe in extreme weather events. Included are single-purpose, stand-alone facilities specifically built as severe storm refuges and multipurpose buildings such as schools and hospitals with pre-identified safe areas that are opened to the public during severe weather.

The Community Technical Assistance Center of New York (CTAC) is a training, consultation, and educational resource center serving all behavioral health agencies in New York State. CTAC helps agencies strengthen their clinical and business infrastructure through training opportunities focused on implementing evidence-based practices and addressing the challenges associated with the recent changes in regulations, financing and overall healthcare reforms.

Community-based organizations are nonprofits that operate in a specific local community.

The term “comorbidity” describes two or more disorders or illnesses occurring in the same person. They can occur at the same time or one after the other. Comorbidity also implies interactions between the illnesses that can worsen the course of both.

Programs that provide friendship and shared activities and/or appropriate role models for individuals who suffer from loneliness or social isolation; who need emotional support from a “buddy” to cope with a difficult life situation; who need practice conversing in English; or who lack the companionship and guidance of an adult or figure or peer role model.

A CAPTCHA is a program or system intended to distinguish human from machine input, typically as a way of thwarting spam and automated extraction of data from websites.

Pharmacies that compound custom medications to meet unique patient needs. Compounding is required when needed medications are discontinued by or generally unavailable from pharmaceutical companies; when the patient is allergic to preservatives, dyes or binders in available off-the-shelf medications; when treatment requires tailored dosage strengths for patients with unique needs; when a pharmacist can combine several medications the patient is taking to increase compliance; when the patient cannot ingest the medication in its commercially available form and the pharmacist can prepare the medication in cream, liquid or other form that the patient can easily take; or when medications require flavor additives to make them more palatable for some patients, most often children.

Programs broadly available to individuals with disabilities in general (rather than focusing on special groups within the disability population) that provide vocational assessment, job development, job training, job placement, specialized job situations and/or other supportive services that help people with disabilities prepare for, find and retain paid employment.

Programs that maintain information about the full range of human services and which function as the primary source of information about and linkage to human service providers in the community.

• job counseling, testing, and assessment;
• resume preparation assistance, interview training, and other pre-job guidance services;
• job matching and referral; unemployment insurance and job registration; labor market and career information;
• information on financial aid for education and training; and
• referral for job training, transportation, child care, personal and financial counseling, health care, and other human services resources in the community.

Supervised, structured programs that offer a wide range of outpatient services which may be coordinated by a case manager and may include individual and group counseling, 12-step meetings, social and recreational activities, educational and vocational services, life skills training, primary health care, perinatal health care, a program for family members, relapse prevention services, a continuing care program and supportive services (such as child care, transportation and parenting skills development) for individuals who have problems related to alcohol abuse and who need access to treatment to maintain their individual recovery plans but do not require the intensity of a day treatment program or 24-hour hospital care. Participants attend the program on a regularly scheduled basis at least once a month but usually more frequently depending on their individual needs. Intensive outpatient programs are usually available three or four days per week for three or four hours per day.

Supervised, structured programs that offer a wide range of outpatient services which may be coordinated by a case manager and may include individual and group counseling, 12-step meetings, social and recreational activities, educational and vocational services, life skills training, primary health care, perinatal health care, a program for family members, relapse prevention services, a continuing care program and supportive services (such as child care, transportation and parenting skills development) for individuals who have problems related to drug abuse, who need access to treatment to maintain their individual recovery plans but do not require the intensity of a day treatment program or 24-hour hospital care. Participants attend the program on a regularly scheduled basis at least once a month but usually more frequently depending on their individual needs. Intensive outpatient programs are usually available three or four days per week for three or four hours per day.

Supervised, structured programs that offer a wide range of outpatient services which may be coordinated by a case manager and may include individual and group counseling, 12-step meetings, social and recreational activities, educational and vocational services, life skills training, primary health care, perinatal health care, a program for family members, relapse prevention services, a continuing care program and supportive services (such as child care, transportation and parenting skills development) for individuals who have problems related to substance abuse, who need access to treatment to maintain their individual recovery plans but do not require the intensity of a day treatment program or 24-hour hospital care. Participants attend the program on a regularly scheduled basis at least once a month but usually more frequently depending on their individual needs. Intensive outpatient programs are usually available three or four days per week for three or four hours per day.

Personalized Recovery Oriented Services (PROS) is a comprehensive recovery oriented program for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. The goal of the program is to integrate treatment, support and rehabilitation in a manner that facilitates the individual’s recovery. Goals for individuals in the program are to: improve functioning, reduce inpatient utilization, reduce emergency services, reduce contact with the criminal justice system, increase employment, attain higher levels of education and secure preferred housing. There are four “service components” in the program: Community Rehabilitation and Support (CRS), Intensive Rehabilitation (IR), Ongoing Rehabilitation and Support (ORS) and Clinical Treatment.

The consistent inability to resist the impulse to gamble to the extent that gambling behavior compromises, disrupts or impairs personal, family or vocational pursuits and/or social and economic stability.

A pattern of behavior that is characterized by the excessive collection of possessions (often items of little value to others such as old newspapers, containers and clothing that may someday be “useful”) coupled with the inability to discard and/or properly organize them creating a messy, sometimes unsanitary environment that, in extreme cases, no longer functions as a viable living space. When these behaviors are combined with severe self-neglect and hostility to the outside world, Diogenes syndrome (also known as senile squalor syndrome) may be the proper diagnosis.

Programs that pay for or provide hardware and software products that enable individuals with disabilities to access, interact with and use computers at home, at work or in school.

Hardware or software adaptations such as Braille embossers and translators, speech synthesizers, text-to-speech synthesizers, screen readers and screen enlargement programs or screen magnifiers which enable people who have visual disabilities to read the displays on their computers and information systems and/or use other forms of output.

Hardware or software adaptations including modified or replacement keyboards, on-screen keyboards, keyboard filters, touch screens, pointing and typing aids (e.g., alternative and ergonomic mouse/pointing systems, head-operated pointing devices, Eyeglaze pointing devices, mouth/tongue pointing devices and brain-actuated pointing devices), Morse code input devices, speech and/or voice recognition systems and switches and switch software which enable people who have disabilities to enter data into their computers and information systems.

Information through a variety of channels that improves the public’s understanding of a particular mental disorder or issue such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder; the risk factors and signs associated with the disorder; screening/diagnostic procedures; treatment and/or management options; the results of the latest research regarding the issue or condition; and general information about strategies that family members and friends can employ to support a loved one with the condition and cope with the impact of the situation on their own lives.

Comprehensive rehabilitation services that help people who have specific types of injuries or other impairments to achieve their maximum level of functioning.

A disorder with an onset in childhood or adolescence that is characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of conduct in which either the basic rights of others or major age-appropriate societal norms or rules are violated. People who have conduct disorders may become aggressive and commit acts of physical violence against people, or thefts outside the home which involve confrontation with a victim. Nonaggressive individuals display an antisocial pattern that is characterized by persistent truancy, substance abuse, running away from home, vandalism, fire-setting or robbery. Other associated characteristics include precocious sexual activity, low self-esteem in conjunction with an image of toughness, early smoking and drinking, drugs, poor frustration tolerance, irritability, temper outbursts, provocative recklessness and poor academic achievement.

Programs that provide an approach to rehabilitation/special education for adults and children with a variety of motor disorders whose objective is to help them find ways to achieve their goals despite their disabilities. Conductive education is offered by “conductors”, teachers trained in anatomy, physiology, occupational therapy, speech therapy, psychology and special education, and involves a structured program of activities through which participants develop skills in bodily control, mobility and communication. The approach was developed by the Hungarian physician Andras Peto in the 1950s.

Boarding homes and other similar residential facilities where low-income older adults and/or people with disabilities can live independently on their own, usually in one building, share common areas, social activities and amenities and have most meals in a communal dining area. Most of the residences feature a mix of studio, one and two-bedroom apartment style accommodations, rented on a monthly basis, with interior corridors, elevators, small kitchenettes and emergency intercoms or pull cord systems as a safety feature. There may also be special wheelchair access rooms or other amenities designed to make it easier for elderly residents to reside comfortably and safely in their apartments. Housekeeping, social activities, and transportation services may be included and laundry services may be available for an additional fee. Residents pay no entry fees, make no long term financial commitments (other than the usual cleaning and security deposits) and may leave whenever they choose.

Volunteer service programs operating throughout the country that provide opportunities for people to volunteer their time and work for low wages on public service conservation projects including park restoration; stream and brush clearance; watershed assessment; water quality monitoring; fence construction; building reconstruction; pollution prevention support; emergency response to fires, floods, mudslides and other natural disasters; classroom and outdoor environmental education; and other similar endeavors. Age and other eligibility criteria may apply and vary by program.

Programs that provide cost estimates for construction, home repair, or home improvement projects; or other projects involving the development or renovation of real property. Cost estimates in the construction industry include the costs of labor, equipment, materials, subcontracts, overhead, taxes, insurance, markup and any other costs that may affect the project. Included are programs that provide targeted assistance for home and business owners who are low income, older adults or have disabilities; and/or for people who have experienced a loss following a disaster or other emergency.

A continuation high school is an alternative to a traditional high school that enable youth who have dropped out or been expelled from school to complete their formal secondary education.

A continuing day treatment program provides active treatment and rehabilitation designed to maintain or enhance current levels of functioning and skills, to maintain community living and to develop self-awareness and self-esteem through the exploration and development of patient strengths and interests. A continuing day treatment program provides the following services: assessment and treatment planning, discharge planning, medication therapy, medication education, case management, health screening and referral, psychiatric rehabilitation readiness development, psychiatric rehabilitation readiness determination and referral and symptom management. The following additional services may also be provided: supportive skills training, activity therapy, verbal therapy, crisis intervention services and clinical support services.

CPAP machine is the medical equipment designed for use in the home which delivers pressurized air to help individuals who experience central or obstructive sleep apnea breathe normally. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the upper airway becomes narrow or collapses as the muscles relax naturally during sleep reducing oxygen in the blood and causing stoppages in breathing (apneas), reductions in air intake (hypopneas) and arousal from sleep. In central sleep apnea, the airway is not blocked but the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe. The air pressure from the CPAP machine forces the air passage open, reducing or eliminating these problems. There are other types of Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) machines, such as: APAP also known as AutoPAP (Automatic Positive Airway Pressure) machines; VPAP or BiPAP (Variable/Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) machines; and xPAP ST (Spontaneous Time) machines which regulate the level of airway pressure in different ways. The equipment may be available on a loan basis or kept permanently.

Control and signaling aids are devices which help individuals, including older adults and people with disabilities, control objects in their immediate environment or alert people who are nearby to their wants and/or needs.

A rental housing option in which residents are responsible for making decisions about how the apartment buildings, townhouses or other types of housing the co-op comprises are maintained and how the business of the co-op is managed. Housing co-ops are legal associations, generally nonprofits, formed for the purpose of providing homes to its members on a continuing basis. Members elect a Board of Directors that makes day-to-day decisions and develops a budget which is confirmed by vote at an annual general meeting. If there are housing charge increases, they reflect true costs, not profit margins. The co-op cannot be sold or flipped for profit so members can choose to remain in the co-op for as long as they choose; and members are asked to leave only if they break the co-ops by-laws. Most co-ops have “market units” (the member pays the full market price) and subsidized units (the member pays a portion of the full market price and the balance is paid by a government subsidy program).

The Coordinated Children’s Services Initiative (CCSI) is a multi-agency approach to help counties create local structures to provide cross-systems services to children with serious emotional and behavioral disabilities who were at risk of residential placement. CCSI serves as a mechanism to support multiply-diagnosed children receiving the necessary services and supports to enable them to remain in their homes, schools, and communities. CCSI ensures the coordinated delivery of services through a three tier interagency structure that addresses service barriers at the provider-, county-, and state-levels. 

Correction facilities are facilities for the detention of people who have been charged with a crime and are awaiting trial, and/or the confinement, treatment, employment, training and discipline of people who have been sentenced to imprisonment after conviction for a criminal offense.

Correctional shoes are footwear that is especially designed and prescribed to remediate mobility problems caused by club foot, shortened limbs, arthritis or other foot/limb deformities or orthopedic conditions.

Counseling approach is a treatment which represent a particular theoretical orientation or incorporate specialized techniques, methods or practices for people who have mental, emotional or social problems.

Services that provide emotional support, information and guidance to help people resolve whatever personal or interpersonal difficulties they are experiencing. The counselor can address any issue that is troubling the individual, but does not specialize in the treatment of any particular problem area.

The common essential purposes and activities of local health departments are prevention, promotion and protection. Prevention activities focus on conditions such as lead poisoning, injuries, and obesity; communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, influenza, or food-borne illnesses; and chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Promotion focuses on health education about the value of nutrition, fitness, safety, immunization, pre-natal and early childhood care, and other healthy behaviors. Protection policy focuses on the elimination of health hazards from our food, air and water supplies, including such activities as the inspection of restaurants or the regulation of toxins such as lead or radon in housing. Each local health department in New York State has a website with information about its specific activities and services.

County Departments of Mental Health offers a wide range of services to county citizens, including treatment for mental illness and substance abuse.

Individuals appointed by the court to serve as agents for children placed for adoption who want to establish contact with their birth parents and/or for parents who want to establish contact with a child who was relinquished for adoption. If neither party has put in writing the instruction that they do not wish to be contacted, the intermediaries can establish contact with the birth parents on behalf of the child or the child on behalf of the birth parent.

The Driving Under the Influence (DUI) evaluation is a court-ordered assessment of individuals who have been convicted of driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol to evaluate the severity of their problem and make a recommendation to the court regarding appropriate treatment.

Court records refer to maintaining and, where appropriate, providing access to official documentation of trial proceedings, exhibits and orders, word-for-word testimony, verdicts and judgments in specific actions or suits.

Federal and state judicial bodies whose function is to resolve disputes and dispense justice according to the principles of law and equity. Court processes involve interpreting the laws; presiding over encounters between the prosecution and defense in criminal matters and plaintiffs and defendants in civil matters; examining evidence and the credibility of witnesses; instructing juries; and determining liability and damages in civil matters and guilt or acquittal and sentencing in criminal matters. Courts also have the power to grant restraining orders, injunctions or other restrictions in appropriate circumstances.

Individuals who have suffered injury or loss of property because of the illegal actions of another.

Individuals who have been traumatized by having seen a crime or having to participate in the criminal justice process.

System that provides for the detention, confinement, rehabilitation and care of offenders who are inmates in correctional facilities or participants in alternative programs; and/or which are responsible for the supervision and support of ex-offenders upon release from a correctional facility.

Criminal justice and legal services promote and preserve the conditions that enable community residents to live in a safe and peaceful environment through the enforcement of laws that protect life and property and the administration of justice according to the principles of law and equity. Included are crime prevention programs as well as programs that investigate and make arrests for criminal behavior; provide support for witnesses to and victims of crimes; and provide for the arraignment, prosecution and defense, judgment, sentencing, confinement and eventual release and resettlement of offenders.

Organizations whose members are police officers, sheriffs, constables, marshals, probation officers, corrections workers, court-appointed special advocates, victim/witness advocates or other law enforcement professionals who have affiliated for the purpose of promoting mutual interests; interacting with their peers; and participating in professional development activities such as law enforcement conferences, seminars and issues forums.

Immediate assistance for people who are in acute emotional distress; who are or perceive themselves to be in life-threatening situations; who are a danger to themselves or to others; or who are hysterical, frightened or otherwise unable to cope with a problem that requires immediate action. The objective of crisis intervention is to defuse the critical nature of the situation, ensure the person’s safety, and return the individual to a state of equilibrium in which he or she is capable of identifying and seeking solutions to the problem.

Crisis intervention hotlines provide immediate assistance for people who are emotionally distressed with the objective of defusing the crisis, ensuring the person’s safety, and helping the person to take the next steps toward resolving the problem. Crisis intervention staff are generally available via the telephone, email, live chat and/or instant message (IM).

Immediate assistance for people who are emotionally distressed with the objective of defusing the crisis, ensuring the person’s safety and helping the person to take the next immediate steps toward resolving the problem. Crisis intervention hotlines are available to anyone who is experiencing a crisis rather than focusing people with particular types of problems such as domestic violence or child abuse. Hotline staff are generally available via the telephone, email, live chat and/or instant message (IM).

A licensed residential (24 hours/day) stabilization program, which provides services for acute symptom reduction and the restoration of patients to pre-crisis level of functioning. These programs are time limited for persons until they achieve stabilization (generally up to 30 days). Crisis residences serve persons experiencing rapid or sudden deterioration of social and personal conditions such that they are clinically at risk of hospitalization but may be treated in this alternative setting.

This program is licensed for adults as defined in 14NYCRR589 and for children and adolescents as defined in 14NYCRR594.

Crisis residential treatment provides a short-term residential alternative to inpatient hospitalization for adults and/or children who are experiencing a mental health crisis and require 24-hour support in a supervised environment to become stabilized, but do not exhibit medical complications that necessitate nursing care.

Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) is a process that helps individuals (e.g., paramedics, police officers, disaster workers) who have been involved in emergency operations under conditions of extreme stress or people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as workplace or school violence recover from the traumatizing effects of the experience utilizing a therapeutic technique which enables them to process the event and put it behind them. A CISD enables workers and others to discuss what happened, their role in the event, the impact of the experience and skills for coping with the after effects. A CISD will generally alleviate the acute stress responses which sometimes appear at the scene or immediately thereafter and will at least inhibit delayed stress reactions which can appear days, weeks or even months later.

Information that gathers and disseminates to the public, government agencies, the media and other organizations regarding the status of critical community services following a major disaster or large-scale emergency that disrupts the normal functioning of a community.

Individuals whose combined use of alcohol and any of a variety of other drugs has impaired their health or their personal, social or occupational functioning.

Cued speed is designed for individuals with hearing impairments that teaches to communicate by utilizing a system that is designed to clarify lip reading by use of simple hand movements (cues) that are used simultaneously with speaking to help a person distinguish sounds that look the same on the lips, e.g., “p” and “b”. The approach significantly enhances lip reading ability and has been used with people who may not be able to learn entirely through amplified hearing.

A chronic mood disturbance of at least two years duration which involves numerous periods of depression and hypomania, but not of sufficient severity and duration to be considered major depressive or manic episodes.

The purpose of the daily living aids is to pay for or provide equipment that has been especially designed or adapted to assist people who have physical disabilities to bathe, shave, dress, brush their teeth, comb their hair, prepare their meals, eat, drink, clean their homes and perform other daily tasks.

Dance therapy is a form of therapy which helps individuals with mental, physical or developmental disabilities, substance abuse disorders, chronic health conditions or other problems achieve self-expression and emotional release through folk dancing, ballroom dancing, exercising to music and other rhythmic motor activities. The objective of dance therapy is to further the emotional, cognitive, social and physical integration of the individual.

Programs that attempt to reduce the incidence of date rape, verbal and physical abuse, threats of abuse and other forms of violence that occur between dating teens through a variety of educational interventions which may focus on potential victims and perpetrators; agency, school or health care personnel who work with them; or the community as a whole. Activities may include classroom-based education, teacher workshops, parent workshops, peer leadership training, counseling groups for males who abuse or threaten a female peer, and community-based workshops for out-of-school youth. Programs may also be available for older people who are dating.

Day labor is unskilled labor paid by the day. The worker is hired and paid one day at a time, with no promise that more work will be available in the future. It is a form of contingent work.

Day Rehabilitation provides intensive rehabilitation services for medically stable patients who have sustained a significant loss of independent living skills a result of stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, multiple trauma, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, other physical or neurological conditions; and require coordinated care and multiple therapies to address their extensive rehabilitation needs. Services include an evaluation of the person’s abilities and disabilities and the development and implementation of a rehabilitation plan that may incorporate physical, occupational, speech and/or other types of therapies; education about modifications in lifestyle that may be necessary including information about diet, exercise and stress reduction; guidance in using adaptive devices which maximize the individual’s functional abilities; and counseling for the person and/or significant others to facilitate a positive adjustment to the person’s current condition. Patients receive therapy for several hours a day, up to five days a week and return to their communities each evening to integrate skills learned in therapy into their daily activities. Treatment teams may include physiatrists, physical and occupational therapists, rehabilitation nurses, speech and language pathologists, psychologists, vocational rehabilitation specialists, counselors and case managers. Day rehabilitation services may be provided by general acute care hospitals or skilled nursing facilities.

Day treatment services for children and adolescents provide intensive, non-residential services. The programs are characterized by a blend of mental health and education services provided in a fully integrated program. Typically, these programs include education in small classes with an emphasis on individualized instruction, individual and group counseling, family services such as family counseling, crisis intervention, interpersonal skill development and behavior modification. Children and adolescents receiving day treatment services live at home or in the community but are identified by their school district as seriously emotionally disturbed and cannot be maintained in regular classrooms.

A disability that is characterized by a combination of hearing and visual impairments.

A psychosis that is characterized by fixed and systematized delusions of persecution or grandeur. General characteristics include hypersensitivity to perceived slights or criticisms, suspiciousness, jealousy, brooding nature, excessive self-consciousness, fixed ideas developed into well-systematized, logical delusions, megalomania, rare hallucinations and inability to make concessions.

Programs that pay the dental bills of people who are unable to obtain necessary dental care without assistance. Also included are programs that provide vouchers which enable eligible individuals to obtain dental care. Dental bill payment assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.

Organizations that issue insurance policies which reimburse policy holders for all or a portion of the costs associated with diagnostic and preventive dental care, restorative work, oral surgery, crowns, inlays, dentures and other dental work.

Departments of Social Services are responsible for addressing the social service needs of the poor and the near poor, as well as those who are unable to care for and protect themselves, while at the same time upholding the laws that govern the Department.

State courts that have jurisdiction over minors who have been neglected or physically or sexually abused by the adults responsible for their care; who are in need of proper and effective parental care and control and have no parent or guardian capable of or willing to exercise such parental care and control; or who are physically dangerous to society due to mental or physical deficiencies, disorders or abnormalities. Dependency courts determine whether a particular child requires the protection of the court and select the most appropriate facility for placement including return to his or her own family.

Programs that investigate the backgrounds of children and families who have been reported for child abuse or neglect and make recommendations to the appropriate court regarding the need for protection by the court and options for placement if required.

A personality disorder that is characterized by the extreme tendency of individuals to passively allow others to assume responsibility for major areas of their lives. Dependent people lack self-confidence and subordinate their own needs to those of individuals on whom they depend in order to avoid having to be self-reliant.

A mental state of depressed mood that is characterized by feelings of sadness, despair and discouragement. Depression ranges from normal feelings of the blues through chronic depression (dysthymia) to major depression. In many ways, it resembles the grief and mourning that follow bereavement including feelings of low self esteem, guilt and self reproach, withdrawal from interpersonal contact and physical symptoms such as eating and sleep disturbances.

Simple tests for people who have feelings of sadness, hopelessness, restlessness and irritability; trouble sleeping; loss of energy; changes in appetite; or thoughts of suicide, and who want to learn more about clinical depression and ways of coping with their symptoms. Individuals generally have an opportunity to see a film and/or hear a talk about the causes, symptoms and treatment of depression; complete a screening questionnaire; and talk with a mental health professional about the results. People who test positively are encouraged to seek further evaluation and, potentially, treatment. Most depression screenings are confidential and available at no cost. Depression screenings may also be available by telephone or online.

Individuals whose use of synthetic variants of heroin and other drugs has adversely affected their personal, social or occupational functioning; or has put them at risk of serious health problems or death from an overdose, the symptoms of which include paralysis, stiffening of the joints and other Parkinsonian characteristics rather than the respiratory collapse associated with overdoses of heroin. Designer drugs are less expensive, vastly more potent and more unpredictable and dangerous in their effects than the heroin or other originals they are designed to imitate.

The process of individuals who are physically dependent on substances of any kind during the withdrawal period. Detoxification is a medical regimen aimed at managing acute intoxication and withdrawal by systematically reducing the amount of the addictive substance in a patient’s body, providing reasonable control of active withdrawal symptoms and/or averting a life-threatening medical crisis related to the substance. Detoxification in generally conducted under the supervision of a physician, can take place in a wide variety of settings and at a number of levels of intensity within these settings and has three stages: evaluation, stabilization and fostering patient readiness for and entry into treatment.

A severe, chronic disability that is attributable to a cognitive, neurological or physical impairment or a combination of cognitive, neurological and physical impairments; that is manifested during the developmental period (prior to age 22); that is likely to continue indefinitely; and that results in substantial functional limitations in three or more areas of major life activity including self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, and economic self-sufficiency.

Community-based day programs that provide social and recreational opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities who generally have acquired most basic self-care skills, have some ability to interact with others, are able to make their needs known and respond to instructions. The programs use social and recreational activities to help participants develop and maintain basic functional skills, though most will remain in the program on a long-term basis rather than transitioning to more independent settings.

Community-based day programs for adults with developmental disabilities and/or dual diagnosis who are unable to access other day settings because of their behavior problems. The objective of these programs is to help participants modify their behavior and develop the functional skills that are required for success in an adult development center or an activity center.

Community-based programs that provide long-term personal and social development opportunities within a structured environment for individuals with developmental disabilities who are unable to function independently in social, recreational or employment settings. Services are available on an hourly or daily basis and may include daily living skills instruction, basic education, recreational and social activities, exercises to improve coordination and other forms of developmental support which help participants develop and maintain the functional skills that are required for community involvement, self-advocacy, self-care and employment, if possible.

• eligibility
• intake
• waiver enrollment (a Federal-State partnership which makes certain types of services available within the home or community so as to avoid placement in an institution)
• local management of Individual and Community Supports (ICS)
• management of resources for crisis intervention
• advocacy
• shared management of OPWDD statewide applications;
• service recruitment and development for the Family Care  program; and
• programs, services and supports for aging individuals with developmental disabilities .

Community-based day programs that provide training in community integration and self-advocacy specifically as they relate to recreation and leisure pursuits. Participants are generally adults age 18-22 with developmental disabilities who are still in school and desire an after-school program or are older than age 22 but are not working or are working part-time.

Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions reflective of an individual’s impairment in the physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. These conditions begin during the developmental period, may impact day-to-day functioning, and usually last throughout a person’s lifetime.  

Developmental disabilities occur among all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. Recent estimates in the United States show that about one in six, or about 15%, of children aged 3 through 17 years have a one or more developmental disabilities, such as:

• Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder 
• Autism 
  Spectrum Disorders
• Cerebral Palsy
• Hearing Loss
• Intellectual Disability
• Learning Disability
• Vision Impairment
Other Developmental Delays

• development and monitoring of OPWDD systems improvement (e.g., continuous quality improvement processes, plans of corrective action (POCAs), informed consent and Behavior Management Committees);
• offering specialized supports/services and service delivery in the areas of clinical and food services, waiver services and volunteers/senior companions;
• acting in the capacity of advocate when responding to stakeholder questions and legislative inquiries;
• oversight of support services (e.g., Medicaid compliance, HIPAA compliance and clinical records review);
• oversight of the Statewide Technical Assistance Team, which provides pre-survey and focused technical assistance activities to campus-based ICFs and other state-operated community-based residential programs in which quality improvement issues have been identified; and ensures ongoing compliance with federal requirements and  that program certification is maintained;
• management, on the local level, a variety of OPWDD statewide electronic billing and recordkeeping systems
• oversight of the day-to-day administration of State-operated Family Care; and
• oversight and coordination of fire safety initiatives, including development of evacuation plans in state-operated programs, and establishing and maintaining working relationships with local fire departments.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association, offers a common language and standard criteria for the classification of mental disorders. It is used, or relied upon, by clinicians, researchers, psychiatric drug regulation agencies, health insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, the legal system, and policy makers together with alternatives such as the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD), produced by the World Health Organization (WHO). The DSM is now in its fifth edition, DSM-5, published on May 18, 2013. The DSM evolved from systems for collecting census and psychiatric hospital statistics, and from a US Army manual. Revisions since its first publication in 1952 have incrementally added to the total number of mental disorders, while also removing those no longer considered to be mental disorders.

Loans for students with financial need. Schools review the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and determine the amount you can borrow. You are not charged with interest while you’re in school at least half-time and during grace periods and deferment periods. Loans should be a LAST RESORT source of financial aid.

You are not required to demonstrate financial need to receive this type of loan. The school will determine the amount you can borrow. Interest accumulates on this loan from the time it’s first paid out. You can pay the interest while you are in school and during grace periods and deferment or forbearance periods, or you can allow it to accrue and be capitalized (added to the principal amount of the loan). If you choose not to pay the interest as it accrues, this will increase the total amount you have to repay because you will be charged interest on a higher principal amount. Loans should be a LAST RESORT source of financial aid.

Physical, sensory, developmental, cognitive, mental or emotional impairments, illnesses or injuries that prevent or interfere with an individual’s ability to perform intellectual or physical tasks that are normally within the range of human capability, or which significantly limit one’s mobility or level of activity.

Organizations whose members are individuals who work in the disability field and have affiliated for the purpose of promoting mutual interests, participating in education and training conferences, interacting with other professionals and taking advantage of other opportunities for personal and professional development. Many disability associations also include individuals with disabilities and their families in their membership. Disability associations may also advocate for the rights of people with disabilities and their caregivers; promote legislation that funds research and services for this population; and provide information for members and the general public. Included are associations that focus on a specific disability such as autism or brain injuries; and those that address a broad range of disability issues.

Programs that offer workshops, discussion groups, activities and other types of training that sensitize participants to people with disabilities, help them experience what it is like to have a disability, and share techniques for positive communication and interaction with people who have disabilities.

Previously employed individuals who have lost their earnings due to a physical or mental impairment severe enough to prevent them from working and who are receiving monthly cash benefits from a public or private source during the period of disability.

Public social insurance programs that replace income lost because of a physical or mental impairment severe enough to prevent a previously employed person from working. Monthly cash benefits are paid to the eligible individual with a disability and his or her eligible dependents throughout the period of disability.

Plates, decals or other special devices which allow people who have disabilities to park in designated spaces in public areas or in front of their homes, to park for unlimited periods of time in time limit zones and/or to park in metered parking areas without paying fees. The permits may not apply to commercial loading zones, bus zones, red zones and no parking zones.

Programs that provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities to learn and practice work skills in a separate and supported environment. Participants may be involved in the program on a transitional or ongoing basis, and are paid for their work, generally under a piecework arrangement. The nature of the work and the types of disabilities represented in the workforce vary widely by program and by the area in which the organization is located. Individuals participate in center-based employment for a variety of reasons including severity of disability, need for additional training or experience, need for a protected environment and/or lack of availability of community-based employment.

Programs that provide educational and supportive services for parents with disabilities and/or parents of children with disabilities who want to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to be effective in their parenting role.

Organizations that provide an opportunity for individuals with disabilities to meet and socialize with others through dances, parties, picnics, barbecues, events for children and other companionable activities. Some organizations may also offer lecture series which address topics of interest to the membership or provide opportunities for involvement in charitable fundraising and other similar activities.

Programs that provide opportunities for people of all ages with functional or cognitive disabilities to learn, become competitive in and enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities and sports, many of which are played in wheelchairs or have otherwise been modified to accommodate the athletes’ disabilities.

Programs that provide door-to-door (or curb-to-curb) transportation for purposes of shopping, banking, social events, medical appointments, getting to and from work, and similar activities for people with disabilities who need special accommodations and are unable to utilize other available means of transportation. Also included are programs that provide transportation for youngsters with disabilities who have no other means of accessing necessary specialized services and activities.

Organizations that support the passage and enforcement of laws or other social measures that protect the rights of people who have physical, mental, developmental or learning disabilities and maximize their ability to enjoy the same opportunities, resources and privileges as the mainstream population.

Programs that are designed to help patients who have autism or another disability or have been disabled by a stroke, heart attack, arthritis, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, hip replacements or other surgeries, a chronic disease or other illnesses or injuries to restore or reinforce fine motor and other performance skills that are essential for activities of daily living. Therapy may include tasks to strengthen weak muscles and improve such skills as coordination, visual perception, body mechanics, equilibrium and endurance for standing and sitting. Practitioners helping people with autism may adjust tasks and conditions to match their needs and abilities which may include adapting the environment to minimize external distractions, finding specially designed computer software that facilitates communication, or identifying skills they need to accomplish tasks.

Federally designated teams made up of volunteer physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants, pharmacists and other health professionals that are pre-organized, trained and equipped to provide austere medical care in area and regional hospitals, at casualty collection points, in field hospitals or at sites where ill or injured individuals have assembled. Some DMAT teams have specific training and skills in the acute management of burn trauma patients or individuals with crush injuries.

Activities, programs and systems developed prior to an emergency that support community readiness and resiliency assessment; development and testing of disaster plans; training of staff in plan implementation; establishment of collaborative arrangements with other services; provision of suitable warning systems; identification, procurement and/or collection of the facilities, equipment, supplies and trained personnel that will be necessary for responding to an emergency; and development and dissemination of information and/or training about how individuals and organizations can prepare for a major disaster or large-scale emergency that disrupts the normal functioning of a community.

Programs that increase public awareness of the measures that people can take before, during and after a major disaster or wide-scale emergency to reduce loss of life and property and improve their chances for survival. Included are programs that inspect the homes of individual residents and give them a report which suggests ways to enhance their safety and reduce the risk of property damage or loss, as well as those that deal with disaster preparedness in a more general way. Also included are programs that provide fact sheets, hazard maps and other types of technical information about natural disasters that individuals and communities can review and evaluate to see if their area is at risk.

Programs that provide longer-term assistance for people who have suffered injuries or incurred losses due to a major disaster or large-scale emergency that disrupts the normal functioning of a community with the objective of facilitating the return of the community to its pre-disaster condition and/or rebuilding the community in a way that makes it less vulnerable in the future.

Programs that facilitate the exchange of information and/or provide short-term assistance, usually in the form of food, clothing, blankets, temporary shelter, furnishings, small appliances or temporary financial aid, for people who have suffered injuries or incurred losses due to a major disaster or large-scale emergency that disrupts the normal functioning of a community. The objective of disaster relief is to help individuals sustain their lives during the immediate aftermath of the event. NOTE: “Disaster Relief” is a category of services utilized by community human services agencies involved in disaster work. Government organizations do not recognize disaster relief as a formal part of the disaster cycle. Most of the services classified as disaster relief are considered by government to be part of disaster recovery and a few (e.g., disaster welfare inquiries) are categorized as disaster response.

Public and private programs that provide emergency planning, preparedness, mitigation, response, relief and/or recovery services prior to, during and after a major fire, flood, hurricane, earthquake, tornado, tsunami, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, drought, famine, explosion or nuclear accident, the outbreak of civil unrest, or other large-scale emergency of natural or human origin that disrupts the normal functioning of a community; or a localized incident such as a house fire which has made residents homeless. There are four recognized phases of disaster work: preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery. Many community agencies add disaster relief as a phase during response and early recovery.

Elementary or secondary programs or separate schools within the public education system that segregate, contain and attempt to reform disruptive students while providing instruction in core subjects. The programs serve as an alternative to suspension or expulsion, and students typically attend the program/school for specified time periods or until behavior requirements are met.

Passes for students, older adults, people with disabilities or other groups which enable them to utilize mass transit services at discount rates.

Programs that provide assistance for people who believe that they have been treated unfairly or denied normal privileges based on their age, gender, race or ethnic origin, nationality, religion, disability, sexual orientation or marital status.

Programs that provide information about the etiology, symptoms, preventive measures, screening/diagnostic procedures, and/or methods of treatment or management for specific illnesses or disabling conditions; and/or which disseminate information about the latest research with regard to a particular illness or condition. Included are programs that maintain disease registries, i.e., databases that contain information about people who have been diagnosed with a specific type of disease and have been treated by a particular hospital or live within a particular geographic area. Registry information is used by public health authorities to identify and investigate unusual patterns of occurrence of the disease and can help communities plan for and deliver needed medical services.

Screening and/or in-depth diagnostic procedures that establish the presence of a targeted disease, disability, condition or disorder and/or which provide a logical foundation for ongoing treatment.

Mental disorders that are generally diagnosed in infancy, childhood or adolescence and require treatment prior to the individual reaching adulthood.

Programs that provide vocational assessment, job development, job training, job search, job placement, specialized job situations and/or other supportive services for individuals who are unable to continue in a particular job, industry or profession because the needs of society have changed and the person’s skills are no longer required. Included are services for people who have been permanently laid off because of plant closings, outsourcing of jobs to other countries, reductions in the work force, declines in business activities and other factors in situations where reemployment within their industry is unlikely.

Distance Learning is a type of educational process where the majority of the learning takes place with the teacher and student at different locations. In distance learning, teaching and learning are not conducted in a traditional classroom setting. 

Community-based programs that provide and/or coordinate the delivery of individual, group and family counseling, training, employment assistance and other prescribed social services for individuals who have been arrested for a minor offense and directed to participate in an educational or treatment program in lieu of prosecution for the offense. In most cases, the courts suspend prosecution for a prescribed period and dismiss charges altogether against those who successfully complete the program. Included are jail diversion programs which ensure that mentally ill offenders receive treatment and support services rather than spend time in jail.

The Division of Disability Determinations (DDD) is the branch of the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance that makes medical determinations on disability claims filed with the Social Security Administration’s Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income Disability programs.

The Social Security Administration provides two types of disability coverage: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI). Rules and eligibility requirements differ between the two programs – and benefits differ for children and adults.

• SSI is a needs-based, cash-assistance program for disabled people of any age in low-income families with limited resources. Children qualify for SSI benefits if they meet certain strict criteria outlined in SSA Publication 05-11000 (www.ssa.gov/pubs/11000.html).
• SSDI is a separate program funded by payroll deductions (part of FICA). Although children sometimes receive SSDI payments if their parents are disabled, their eligibility is based on their parents’ disability status, not on their own. However, after turning 22, already disabled children may qualify for SSDI on their own if at least one parent qualifies for Social Security benefits.

https://otda.ny.gov/programs/disability-determinations/

Dog guides schools provide and train recipients in the use of dogs who have been taught to help people who are blind increase their mobility and independence in a sighted world. The dogs are taught to observe traffic, lead their masters around obstacles, stop at all curbs and disobey commands that would endanger their master’s safety.

Programs that provide immediate assistance for women and men who have experienced domestic abuse. Services may include: advice and actions to ensure the person’s safety; short-term emotional support; assistance with shelter; legal information and advocacy; referrals for medical treatment; ongoing counseling and/or group support; and other related services. Hotline staff are generally available via the telephone, email, live chat and/or instant message (IM).

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused when abnormal cell division in the embryo causes extra genetic material from chromosome 21 to form. This genetic disorder, which varies in severity, causes lifelong intellectual disability and developmental delays, and in some people it causes health problems. The parents of the affected individual are typically genetically normal.

Down syndrome is the most common genetic chromosomal disorder and cause of learning disabilities in children. Better understanding of Down syndrome and early interventions can greatly increase the quality of life for children and adults with this disorder and help them live fulfilling lives.

Programs that offer a form of therapy which uses improvisation, role-play, mime, puppetry, storytelling and other theatrical techniques to help individuals with mental, physical or developmental disabilities, substance abuse disorders, chronic health conditions or other problems explore painful life experiences through an indirect approach. Drama therapy helps people solve a problem, achieve a catharsis, delve into truths about themselves, explore and transcend unhealthy patterns of interaction, gain insight and achieve personal growth through identification with a character in a story and the ability to access emotional and psychological problems through metaphor.

Programs that feature structured sessions in which participant’s dreams are recorded and interpreted as a means of gaining insights into motives and feelings.

Authorization for an individual to operate a car, van, sport utility vehicle, recreational camper or other similar vehicle on public roads and highways following successful completion of a written and/or driving examination and a vision test.

Educational strategies and practices, including special instructional methods and materials, learning activities and diagnostic and assessment procedures which encourage children and adolescents to maintain an acceptable grade point average, avoid excessive absenteeism or disruptive behaviors which put them at risk for suspension or expulsion and remain in school through completion their elementary and secondary education. Included are school-based dropout prevention and academic intervention programs which lead to improved performance in the areas of academic achievement, attendance, and discipline; and community based programs, often staffed by representatives from a variety of organizations including the school, the police, the probation department, family counseling agencies and delinquency diversion agencies, which monitor and/or investigate a young person’s school attendance and jointly develop and implement interventions which encourage the young person to remain in school or to return to school if already a dropout.

Programs that provide educational services for students who have been suspended or expelled from school or have left school for other reasons prior to receiving a diploma; or which seek to prevent students of compulsory school age from skipping classes, being suspended or expelled for disruptive behavior, failing or maintaining a low grade point average, or dropping out of school.

Programs that provide individual, group or family therapy for individuals who abuse drugs and/or for their families to help them better understand the nature of their physical and/or psychological dependency or impairment and to support their efforts to recover.

Programs that provide information about drug abuse (including the drugs most commonly abused and their effects, the symptoms of drug abuse/addiction, screening and diagnostic procedures and methods of treatment) and/or which offer any of a variety of services that focus on drug abuse prevention for people of all ages who are at risk (i.e., who are currently in the light or experimental stage of using drugs; who are members of a drug using sibling, peer or family group; and/or who have behavioral and/or emotional problems at home, in school, in the community or with the criminal justice system). Included may be printed materials or videos that address the subject; psycho-educational and skill building activities; structured groups which focus on family dynamics, problem-solving, self-esteem and similar issues; and presentations in schools and agencies and to family groups regarding the dangers of drug abuse, the signs of drug abuse/addiction, the legal consequences of drug abuse and how to get help.

Telephone numbers that provide immediate assistance for people who abuse drugs or are at risk of abuse which may include defusing the crisis, ensuring the person’s safety and information about alternatives the person may explore to begin recovering. Drug abuse hotlines are also typically available to significant others of people who abuse drugs; and staff can generally be reached via the telephone, email, live chat and/or instant message (IM).

Referrals that link people who abuse drugs of any kind or are at risk of abuse with appropriate resources.

Financial subsidies which support all or a portion of the treatment costs for income eligible individuals who abuse drugs.

Individuals who have a physical and/or psychological dependency on any of a variety of substances that are used to alter the user’s mood or perceptions, alleviate pain, relieve tension, suppress the appetite or stimulate or repress the central nervous system; or people whose use of these substances has impaired their physical or mental health or their personal, social or occupational functioning.

Special courts that have been given the responsibility to handle cases involving drug-addicted offenders through an extensive supervision and treatment program. Drug court participants undergo long-term treatment and counseling sanctions, incentives and frequent court appearances. Successful completion of the program results in dismissal of charges, reduced or set aside sentences, lesser penalties, or a combination of these.

Programs that provide supervised, structured, full-day daytime activities which may include individual and group counseling, 12-step meetings, social and recreational activities, educational and vocational services, a program for family members, relapse prevention services and a continuing care program for individuals who have problems related to drug abuse, who need treatment that is more intensive than an outpatient program but do not require 24-hour hospital care and are currently sober. Most participants attend day treatment programs eight hours per day Monday through Friday with part-day sessions on the weekends though some programs are available as little as five hours per day or as long as 12 hours per day.

Mutual support groups whose members are individuals who abuse drugs including prescription and over-the-counter medication. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; provide emotional support, information and resources to help participants overcome their dependency; and may include faith-based and secular 12-step groups as well as non-12 step groups, and groups for anesthetists, pharmacists, psychologists, physicians or other health care professionals who are recovering from drug dependency.

Support for individuals who have a physical dependency on any of a variety of habit-forming drugs or other prescription medication during the withdrawal period.

Programs that provide alternative environments for individuals who abuse drugs that are drug-free and nonresidential in nature and which may offer recreational activities, socialization, information and referral, individual and/or group counseling sessions, 12-step meetings, snacks, day beds, showers and/or clean clothing.

Individuals who have been arrested and convicted of vehicle code violations while under the influence of drugs including prescription drugs.

Individuals who have taken an overdose of any of a wide range of drugs and are experiencing a medical emergency as a result.

In-person, immediate response services for individuals who have had adverse or psychotic-like reactions to drugs, who have taken an overdose of drugs or who are otherwise in life-threatening situations because of drugs. Included are 24-hour facilities that have emergency intake capabilities and organizations that have mobile units which allow staff to intervene directly at the scene.

Community-based, peer-group-oriented, residential facilities that provide food, shelter and recovery services in a supportive, non-drinking, drug free environment for people who have completed a hospital or residential primary drug abuse rehabilitation program and need continued support in a residential setting to sustain their recovery. Services may include case management, relapse prevention counseling, 12-step meetings, educational and vocational planning, recreational activities and assistance in obtaining health, social, vocational and other services available in the community. Residents are expected to abide by house rules which vary from facility to facility. The objective is to help people who are recovering from drug abuse bridge the gap between intensive treatment and independent drug-free living.

Programs authorized by state legislation that accept unused or discontinued prescription drugs and redistribute the medication to individuals who meet eligibility criteria. While details of the laws vary by jurisdiction, most permit the return of prescription drugs in single use or sealed packaging from state programs, nursing homes and other medical facilities. Some allow donations by individuals or their families. Virtually all laws include some restrictions designed to assure purity, safety and freshness of the products. Most programs exclude donation and redistribution of controlled substances or drugs that have expired; and require that a state-licensed pharmacist or pharmacy be part of the verification and distribution process. Patients who receive a drug must have a valid prescription in their own name. Drug repository programs are not available in all states.

Blood, urine or breath tests or other screening techniques used to determine whether the individual has alcohol or an illegal drug in his or her system and to identify the substance involved. Sweat, saliva, tears and hair can also be analyzed for the same purpose.

An individual who has been arrested and convicted of vehicle code violations while under the influence of alcohol or whose blood alcohol level exceeds allowable limits.

Programs that provide transportation home for people who have consumed alcohol or have taken drugs and are unable to drive and/or for people who fear riding with someone who has been drinking alcohol or taking drugs.

A condition in which individuals have a diagnosed mental illness which interferes with their functioning in a substantial way in combination with a chemical dependency problem which aggravates their ability to become stabilized or recover.

Mutual support groups whose members are individuals who have a diagnosed mental illness which interferes with their functioning in a substantial way in combination with a chemical dependency problem which aggravates their ability to become stabilized or recover. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; provide emotional support, information and resources to help participants stop using drugs and/or alcohol and find ways to manage their emotional or psychiatric problems; and may include faith-based and secular 12-step groups as well as non-12 step groups.

Health care programs that provide a secure link for e-visits to an online module on their website that allows patients with minor ailments to describe their symptoms using an interactive questionnaire, submit the questionnaire to their physician and obtain medical advice, a prescription for medication or other types of assistance from their physician by return e-mail. The physician may also ask additional questions or request an in-person visit. Patients may be able to access their records, results of medical tests, links to explanations about the tests and past messages from their doctors.

Educational activities and experiences for children from birth to age five which are intended to foster social, physical, emotional and intellectual growth and prepare them for further formal learning.

A federally-funded child development and family support program that provides early education, health, mental health, nutrition and social services for low-income pregnant women and families with children from birth to age three. Services provided directly or through referral may include prenatal education and parenting classes for pregnant women; child development information; parent/child activities; a home visiting program for families with newborns; early education services in a variety of settings; comprehensive health and mental health services including smoking cessation and substance abuse treatment; coordination with organizations providing early intervention for infants and toddlers with disabilities; assistance in obtaining income support, housing or emergency cash; and transportation to program services.

Programs that contract with the federal government to oversee the establishment and operation of Early Head Start sites within the county. Grantees are responsible for the administration of Early Head Start programs and the allocation of funding, the coordination of enrollment and the referral of eligible families to Early Head Start sites. Some grantee agencies reassign their administrative responsibilities to delegate agencies.

Centers administered by the grantee and delegate agencies that are responsible for providing the Early Head Start program for eligible children.

Programs that develop and implement organized plans for locating and identifying children who may be experiencing developmental delays or be in need of special education, and connect them with programs that provide evaluation and assessment services and/or school systems that offer the educational assistance they need.

Early Intervention are programs that identify infants, toddlers and in some cases, preschoolers who show evidence of or are at risk for lags in physical development, cognitive development, language and speech development, psychosocial development or self-help skills, and provide or coordinate the delivery of an enrichment program in order to minimize the potential for a developmental delay and to meet their current developmental needs. The program may include early identification activities (child find); a developmental evaluation; a review of family concerns, priorities and resources; meetings with the family to develop an individualized family service plan; service coordination to ensure that the individual and his or her family receive needed services which may include but are not limited to physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiology, health/medical services, nursing services, nutrition services, psychological services including specialized play groups or therapy sessions, counseling, speech and language assistance, special instructional services, transportation, and parenting skills development; and ongoing evaluation of the child’s progress and his or her changing enrichment needs. Included are “birth to three” programs and federal, state or local programs that address the needs of slightly older children or children not otherwise eligible for “birth to three” programs.

Treatment for individuals whose personal condition and social experiences could potentially produce mental, emotional or social dysfunctions with the objective of preventing their development; or which conduct general screening efforts to identify and treat children who have emerging problems to ensure the best possible prognosis.

Programs that promote pre-literacy and language development skills in children from birth to age five with the objective of preparing them to read. Program activities are both educational and social and focus on helping participants develop oral language skills, expand their vocabulary, develop the concept of a word, have exposure to printed words and connect them to stories, develop phonological and phoneme awareness (sounds associated with letters and words), and recognize letters of the alphabet and connect them to words. Specific activities that promote early literacy development include reading aloud, summarizing stories read, conversations and dialogue, learning new words, exposure to books, rhyming and singing, imitating sounds, identifying syllables, writing and naming letters, attaching sounds to letters, and recognizing words. Programs may be formal or informal, and may include parent participation. Classes are often held at schools, churches, libraries and community recreation centers.

A condition that is characterized by a compulsive obsession with food or weight and an inability to accurately perceive one’s physical appearance in which the individual may compulsively overeat, engage in eating binges which may or may not be followed by purging, refuse to eat or otherwise use food or the process of eating or not eating in a self-destructive manner.

Simple tests for people who have episodes of binge eating followed by purging, dissatisfaction with their body shape and size and/or intense fears of weight gain and want to learn more about anorexia, bulimia and other eating disorders and ways of coping with their symptoms. Individuals generally have an opportunity to see a film and/or hear a talk about the causes, symptoms and treatment of eating disorders; complete a screening questionnaire; and talk with a mental health professional about the results. People who test positively are encouraged to seek further evaluation and, potentially, treatment. Most eating disorders screenings are confidential and available at no cost. Eating disorders screenings may also be available by telephone or on-line.

This treatment is offered on an inpatient basis with post-discharge outpatient therapy, that provide comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services for individuals who have anorexia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, bulimia or a related eating disorder. Treatment depends on the specific type of eating disorder involved but typically involves psychotherapy, nutrition education, family counseling, medication and hospitalization, if required, to stabilize the patient’s health.

Programs that assist low-income single parents, teen parents, displaced homemakers, public assistance recipients or other targeted individuals and families to achieve economic independence and long-term stability through an integrated group of services which may include education and job training, microenterprise development, mentoring services, life skills training, personal enrichment classes, counseling services, parenting skills development, legal assistance, housing assistance, child care and transportation assistance, information and referral and advocacy. The services may be delivered using an intensive case management model which involves assignment of a case manager, development of an individualized case plan and assessment of progress in meeting agreed upon goals and objectives.

Advocacy and/or other forms of legal assistance for students, their families, advocates and others who have issues that have an impact on the learning environment in public and private educational institutions and affect the ability of students to attend and succeed in school. Specific issues may include school choice, student discipline and dismissal, search and seizure, privacy rights, freedom of expression, religion in schools, student testing, student achievement, promotion and retention policies, graduation requirements, student use of the Internet and other technologies, bullying on campus, student-to-student sexual harassment and school safety. Education advocacy relates to issues that have relevance for all students rather than focusing more narrowly on those related to special education.

Organizations that promote a particular practice like bilingual education, support the passage and enforcement of laws and other social measures that will result in specific types of educational reform or other improvements in the educational system, or support specific changes in local educational institutions that will improve the delivery of services to local students.

Vouchers or other forms of financial assistance that enable current and former foster youth to attend an accredited college, university, vocational or technical college. In addition to tuition, books and fees, the money may be used for room and board, child care, transportation, computers and other expenses the student may need to cover to make post secondary education possible. Included are the federally funded, state-administered Chafee Education and Training Vouchers program as well as state and county funded assistance, special scholarship programs and tuition and fee waiver programs offered by some publicly funded higher education institutions for this population.

Organizations whose members are academics who represent a particular discipline or teachers, administrators, school psychologists or other educational personnel who have affiliated for the purpose of continuing professional development through articles in journals and other publications, participation in professional conferences and other informal educational opportunities. These organizations may deal with complaints about members and may also provide assistance for members who are having difficulty with their employers.

Assistance for people who believe they have been denied equal access to student loans or scholarships, or to educational programs at preschool, elementary, secondary, vocational, post-secondary, postgraduate or professional school levels based on their age, gender, race or ethnic origin, nationality, religion, disability, sexual orientation or marital status.

Entrance examinations that administer achievement, aptitude or other measures for the express purpose of screening and selecting students to be admitted to a particular educational institution, usually at the post-secondary level.

Tests a student may be required to take in order to show proficiency in a class, in a major subject in college or to graduate or gain a diploma. Exit exams help to ensure that no students graduate or move on to other courses without proving that they have mastered what they have studied.

Financial assistance to help individuals pay for educational placement tests, college/university or career entrance examinations, test preparation instruction, or other education-related fees in situations where the person is unable to make the payment without support.

Youth eligible for vouchers under this program are foster care youth and former foster care youth who have not yet attained the age of 21 years who are eligible for services under the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP), and youth adopted from foster care after the age of 16.This also applies for youth in kinship guardianship. A youth participating in the ETV program when he or she attains 21 years of age may remain eligible until the youth attains 23 years of age, provided the youth continues to be enrolled in and attending a post-secondary educational or vocational training program and is making satisfactory progress toward completion of that program. Your local district is responsible for determining your eligibility for this program.

Social insurance programs whose benefits include financial assistance for the education of the covered individual and his or her eligible dependents.

Programs that enable students who can demonstrate financial need to obtain cash awards (which do not need to be repaid) to help support the cost of their education. Included are Pell Grants and Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants which are funded by the state, and Grants-in-Aid (GIAs) which are usually made available by the educational institution.

“Educational Neglect” refers to a parent’s failure to provide for a child’s basic needs with regards to school and education. A child’s absences from school may not be considered abuse or neglect unless the school has first made efforts to bring about the child’s attendance, and the efforts were unsuccessful because the parents refused to cooperate. 

The State University of New York’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) provides access, academic support, and financial aid to students who show promise for mastering college-level work, but who may otherwise not be admitted. Support services may include counseling, tutoring, modest financial, academic advisement aid and educational/skill building workshops. In addition, students may be required to attend a pre-freshman summer program prior to fall matriculation. Offered primarily to full-time students who are New York State residents, EOP accepts students who qualify, academically and economically, for the program.

Programs within the context of the formal educational system or offered as an adjunct to the traditional school curriculum which provide instructional services that are individualized or specialized to meet the specific needs and interests of learners.

Individuals who are students, school dropouts or graduates of a particular level within the formal education system or who have needs and interests based on their exceptional intellectual abilities or the level and type of education they have received.

Testing offered within the formal education system or offered by outside agencies which utilize a variety of instruments to gather information about an individual’s abilities, skills, understanding, knowledge, achievement, or educational, psychological or medical difficulties for the purpose of screening and selecting individuals for admission to an educational institution or program or for developing a plan of individualized instruction to help students who have exceptional needs overcome their learning problems.

Therapy that provide diagnostic and treatment services which combine psycho-therapeutic and tutorial techniques for individuals who have learning disabilities, dyslexia, perceptual problems, emotional problems or other difficulties that are interfering with their ability to learn.

Programs that allocate public funds to parents to pay the cost of their children’s education in the public or private school of their choice.

Reporting of elder and dependent adult abuse or neglect. Services include assessment of the initial report and referral to Adult Protective Services for formal follow-up or other community service providers as appropriate.

Certificates that are specifically designed to establish the identity of a prospective voter. In some states, these certificates are required for voters who do not have other qualifying forms of photo ID for purposes of voting.

Battery-powered, three or four-wheeled vehicles designed for individuals who have difficulty walking. Included are scooters for indoor use, scooters for outdoor use, and indoor-outdoor scooters for use in both places.  This equipment may be available for eligible individuals under certain public programs.

The local administrative units that are responsible for operating elementary schools or for contracting for elementary school services in specific geographical areas.

Schools that provide a graded system of learning in a formal school setting from kindergarten or grade one through grades six, seven, eight or nine (depending on the district configuration) for children ranging in age from five or six to about 13 or 14.

This tool is available via the Internet to help students in grades K-12 prepare for state-mandated tests such as the Stanford 9 that is used to determine whether the student is promoted to the next grade level. These tests may also be used to evaluate teacher performance and/or to compare the performance of different schools. Practice questions may be available.

Centralized offices where students new to a school district are registered to attend school. The offices may also handle interdistrict and intradistrict transfers and other related services.

Individuals age 14 to 18 who have successfully petitioned the court to be considered over the age of majority, or who have gained emancipated status automatically by entering into a valid marriage (regardless of whether the marriage terminated by dissolution) or by serving on active duty with any of the armed forces.

Minors ages 14 to 18 who are managing their own financial affairs, whose income is derived from activities not considered criminal, who are willing to live apart from their parents or guardians with their consent, and who want to petition the court to be considered over the age of majority. People younger than age 18 are automatically considered emancipated if they have entered into a valid marriage (whether or not the marriage was terminated by dissolution), or if they are on active duty with any of the armed forces.

Emergency shelters provide a temporary or transitional place to stay for newcomers, people who are in crisis, or homeless individuals in the community.

Transportation for people who have used public transportation or have car pooled to commute to work and who need alternative transportation to get home because disruption in their commuting arrangements such as a family emergency or an unexpected requirement to work overtime.

Individuals younger than age 18 who have been subjected to a persistent pattern of emotional abuse or deprivation which typically includes excessive verbal assaults, unpredictable responses, continual negative moods, constant family discord, double message communication and/or parental denial of the normal experiences that provide children with the assurance that they are loved, wanted, secure and worthy.

Mutual support groups whose members are individuals who have difficulty dealing with the pressures of everyday life and are living with unresolved emotional issues such as depression, anger, broken or strained relationships, low self-esteem, fear, anxiety, resentment, jealousy, guilt, boredom, loneliness or other destructive feelings. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; provide a structured atmosphere in which participants can share their experience, strengths and hopes in a search for inner peace; and may include faith-based and secular 12-step groups as well as non-12 step groups.

Programs that contract with employers to offer confidential help to employees, and in some cases their families, whose legal, financial, marital, parent-child, child care, alcoholism, drug abuse, health and/or mental health problems could have a direct impact on their attendance and job performance. EAPs vary in complexity from telephone hotlines that offer referrals for needed services to organizations that offer in-person diagnosis and referral, direct counseling and/or extensive treatment for one or a variety of problems.

Assistance for people who believe that they have been denied equal access to employment or that they have been treated unfairly as employees, i.e., that they were sexually harassed or denied equal pay for equal work, passed over for a promotion, denied training opportunities or fired on the basis of their age, gender, race or ethnic origin, nationality, religion, disability, sexual orientation or marital status. Also included are programs that provide assistance for job applicants who feel they have been denied employment because of a military service obligation or help restore job seniority and pension rights which have been withheld from military service personnel because of an absence from work due to a service obligation.

Programs that issue or assist people to obtain documentation which officially affirms that they are eligible for paid employment and may be hired into an available position or may work under specified circumstances.

Assistance for people who need information, guidance and/or training in specific job-related skills to make appropriate occupational choices and secure and retain positions that effectively utilize their abilities.

Organizations that advocate for or oppose measures that affect the terms or conditions of employment or the workplace environment. These measures may address equal pay standards; minimum/living wage requirements; occupational health and safety concerns; worker/employer rights; employee benefits including workplace child care; employment discrimination based on age, race, gender, or ethnic background; affirmative action/equal opportunity practices; sexual harassment on the job; workplace violence; hours issues including a shortened work week and flexible work hours; telecommuting; unemployment benefits; self-employment; and other similar issues.

Mutual support groups whose members are people who have experienced voluntary or involuntary changes in their employment status including termination, layoff, demotion, promotion or retirement and need help in coping with their situation. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; and allow participants to share their experience, strengths and hopes to solve the problems they have in common and to address the quality of life issues that affect them all.

Opportunities for non-English-speaking and limited-English-speaking adults to learn listening, speaking, reading and writing skills with an emphasis on developing the level of communication competence that is essential for adults who are living in a setting in which English is the primary language.

Test may be available via the Internet to help individuals prepare for the Test of English as a Foreign Language and other related examinations which test the English language proficiency of international students planning to study in the U.S., Canada, or other countries where English is the language of instruction.

Driver licenses issued by some states that confirm the holder’s identity and U.S. citizenship, and serve as an acceptable alternative to a passport for entry into Canada and Mexico and re-entry into the U.S. at land and sea border crossings. Enhanced driver licenses contain a vicinity Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip and a Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) that facilitate processing for the holder as well as physical security features that guard against tampering.

Programs that pay for or provide equipment which allows people with disabilities and others to manipulate lighting and heating systems, door locks, telephone equipment, radio and television sets, electronic appliances and other devices in their immediate surroundings.

Programs that provide a temporary place to stay or vouchers that can be exchanged for shelter in a hotel or motel for homeless people who have no other resources when it becomes unsafe to remain in the open because of hazardous chemical leaks or spills, malathion spraying or other activities which affect the environment.

A recurrent paroxysmal disorder of cerebral function that is characterized by sudden, brief interruptions in or complete loss of consciousness, motor activity and/or sensory phenomena. The seizures are caused by disruptions in the electrical and physiochemical activity of the brain.

Therapy that provides opportunities for individuals with any of a wide range of disabilities and others (e.g., victims of assault or abuse, people who have recently suffered a tragic loss, incarcerated offenders, at risk youth) to relate to, handle, groom and ride horses as a part of an experiential habilitation or therapy program in which the horse serves as a co-facilitator or co-therapist. Equestrian therapy provides an experience with horses that fosters growth, communication skills, self-esteem, self-awareness, healing and personal transformation. Clients learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses, and then discussing feelings, behaviors and patterns. Therapy goals for different populations may differ, e.g., treatment for children with autism may focus on behavior modification and improvement.

Tests which measure the extent to which previous schooling, knowledge or experience satisfies course requirements.

Programs that accompany people who have limited mobility, cognitive impairments or other problems to specified local destinations and provide assistance which may include transportation or driving services, assisting the individual to enter and leave the vehicle and buildings, carrying packages, helping the person deal with other challenges and/or providing emotional support. Escort programs may assist older adults and people with disabilities, people who have AIDS or fear they have contracted the HIV virus, and others who need emotional and/or physical support; and may have limitations regarding the types of trips that qualify for this service.

Centers that provide a gathering point from which people whose safety is threatened by an impending disaster or large-scale emergency can be transported to less vulnerable areas and/or facilities in which people can take refuge for the duration of the incident. Evacuation centers have no sleeping accommodations, but may later be converted to mass shelter care sites.

Rest areas and weigh stations located along evacuation routes that have been designated as comfort centers for people who are forced to leave an endangered location due to a fire, hurricane or other type of emergency. In addition to normal bathroom facilities and access to water, supplies of bottled water will be available as well as ice, medical assistance and snack food such as cheese and crackers, when possible.

• Advances equity by upholding critical protections for America’s disadvantaged and high-need students.
• Requires—for the first time—that all students in America be taught to high academic standards that will prepare them to succeed in college and careers.
• Ensures that vital information is provided to educators, families, students, and communities through annual statewide assessments that measure students’ progress toward those high standards.
• Helps to support and grow local innovations—including evidence-based and place-based interventions developed by local leaders and educators—consistent with our  Promise Neighborhoods
• Sustains and expands this administration’s historic investments in increasing access to high-quality preschool.
• Maintains an expectation that there will be accountability and action to effect positive change in our lowest-performing schools, where groups of students are not making progress, and where graduation rates are low over extended periods of time.

Assistance for people that are being evicted, either wrongfully or with reason, from their apartments or other rental property. Also included are programs that attempt to prevent eviction and possible homelessness by providing mediation services to negotiate a compromise between an individual and the landlord.

Programs that help people who have been released from a correctional facility make a successful transition to community life. Services generally include an assessment of the individual’s needs, discussion of options and short-term case management involving coordination of needed services which may include housing location assistance, job training, job placement and retention services, legal assistance, literacy skills development, GED courses, parenting classes, life skills training, access to food and shelter resources, and other sources of support.

Programs that provide educational and supportive services for new parents or parents who are expecting a child to prepare them on an emotional and practical level for the impact that a newborn will have upon their lives and relationships. Included are practical information about the care of a new infant such as bathing techniques, diapering, feeding cycles and infant and childhood illnesses and later, walking, talking, toilet training and other developmental skills; suggestions for sibling preparation; and other techniques for facilitating the addition of the newborn to the family.

Programs that provide educational and supportive services that help new and/or expectant parents prepare for the prospect of parenthood. The programs are open to all parents and include information about the care of a new infant such as bathing techniques, diapering, feeding cycles and infant and childhood illnesses and later walking, talking, toilet training and other developmental skills; suggestions for sibling preparation; and other techniques for facilitating the addition of the newborn to the family.

Expected Family Contribution is the number that’s used to determine your eligibility for federal student financial aid. This number results from the financial information you provide in your FAFSA^®, the application for federal student aid. Your EFC is reported to you on your Student Aid Report (SAR).

Institutions of higher education that are characterized by innovative curriculums, learning experiences or teaching methods and other nontraditional instructional practices.

Effective October 2010, The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act extended eligibility for Title IV-E payments to age 21. This change allows states to now extend payments for young adults in foster care and for those who left foster care to adoptive and guardianship families when certain requirements are met. States may continue providing Title IV-E reimbursable foster care, adoption, or guardianship assistance payments to young people up to the age of 19, 20 or 21 if the young person is:

• completing secondary education or a program leading to an equivalent credential;
• enrolled in an institution which provides post-secondary or vocational education;
• participating in a program or activity designed to promote, or remove barriers to, employment;
• employed for at least 80 hours per month; or
• incapable of doing any [of the above] due to a medical condition.

The federal government made this change because of the poor outcomes young people aging out of foster care at age 18 had been experiencing. Research has shown that when compared to their peers in intact families, young people who age out of foster care are more likely to experience homelessness and unemployment as they strive to live on their own. They are less likely to complete high school or post-secondary education, and they are more likely to have physical, developmental and mental health challenges. Most lose their existing support systems when they reach age 18 and are discharged from state custody. 

Assistance to pay the optometric or ophthalmologic bills of people who are unable to obtain necessary eye care without assistance. Eye care bill payment assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.

A process that help individuals recover from a traumatic event such as combat experiences, rape, molestation, catastrophic loss or natural disaster through a procedure which uses physical movement in combination with other therapeutic techniques. The process is based on the hypothesis that traumatization causes an overexcitement of a specific locus of the brain producing a neural pathology that “freezes” the information in its original anxiety-producing form. EMDR permits the “frozen” information to be desensitized, reprocessed and adaptively integrated resulting in diffusion of the traumatic imagery and a reduction of negative client symptoms, e.g., emotional distress, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks and nightmares.

Rehabilitation oriented fitness programs that are designed to improve strength, stamina, stability, flexibility, functionality and/or mobility using exercise equipment that is specifically designed to meet the needs of patients with acute or chronic health conditions such as arthritis, congestive heart failure, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, physical disabilities or other problems; or through individualized exercise routines that improve or restore physical function so that activities of daily living are no longer a challenge, reduce risk factors, and improve overall health and fitness.

Facility licensing establishes and enforces health, safety and program standards for facilities that offer community care or health services, that review applications for licenses, issue or deny licenses, inspect facilities for compliance with requirements and revoke licenses or bring disciplinary action for noncompliance.

Disorders that are characterized by physical or psychological symptoms that are intentionally produced in order to feign illness and assume the role of a patient. Physical symptoms most commonly produced include infections, impaired wound healing, abdominal complaints, hypoglycemia, anemia, bleeding, rashes, seizures, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, fevers and symptoms associated with autoimmune, connective tissue diseases or problems associated with any of the organ systems. The presentation may include fabrication complaints, falsification of objective signs (e.g., manipulating a thermometer to substantiate a fever), self-inflicted conditions (e.g., taking anticoagulants to stimulate bleeding) and exaggeration of preexisting medical conditions. Psychological symptoms suggest the presence of a mental disorder, typically depression, memory loss, hallucinations, delusions and dissociative symptoms.

A Fair Hearing is a chance for you to tell an Administrative Law Judge why you think a decision about your benefit-related case made by a local social services department is wrong. To request a Fair Hearing, call 800-342-3334, or visit otda.ny.gov/hearings/

Programs that provide a variety of recreational and social activities for young people with the objective of strengthening their religious values and meeting their spiritual needs as well as supporting their growth and development as individuals.

The parents, children, spouses, partners, siblings, friends or significant others of people who have specific disabilities, medical diagnoses, personal losses or other problems whose own patterns of personal, social and familial coping have been significantly affected by ongoing interaction with and concern about the individual or who are dealing with the crisis or the ongoing effects of the situation. Also included are people who, because of a multitude of factors, are at risk for experiencing problems that threaten their health, safety, personal development, economic security or other aspects of their well-being.

The parents, siblings, friends or other relatives of children who have been subjected to a persistent pattern of violence and/or neglect whose own patterns of personal, social and familial coping have been significantly affected by concern about the child and/or their own role in a family affected by child abuse. Child abuse includes emotional abuse, emotional deprivation, physical abuse and corporal punishment that results in a traumatic condition, physical neglect and/or inadequate supervision and/or sexual abuse or exploitation, any of which is perpetrated by the adults and/or family members responsible for their care.

The parents, children, spouses, partners, friends or other relatives or significant others of people who have been seriously or fatally injured as the result of an unplanned and unforeseen event or condition, whose own patterns of personal, social and familial coping have been significantly affected by concern about the individual’s injuries or their loss.

The parents, children, spouses, partners, friends or other relatives or significant others of people who abuse alcohol, whose own patterns of personal, social and familial coping have been significantly affected by ongoing interaction with and concern about the alcohol abuser.

The parents, children, spouses, partners, friends or other relatives or significant others of people who are unable to control their impulse to gamble, whose own patterns of personal, social and familial coping have been significantly affected by concern about the individual and the consequences of gambling on their own lives.

The parents, children, heterosexual spouses or partners, friends or other relatives or significant others of gay men, lesbians, bisexuals or transgender individuals who may need support and assistance to deal with the person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

The parents, children, spouses, partners, friends or other relatives or significant others of people who have clinically significant behavioral or psychological problems, whose own patterns of personal, social and familial coping have been significantly affected by ongoing interaction with and concern about the mentally ill individual.

The parents, children, spouses, partners, friends or other relatives or significant others of people who have physical, sensory, developmental, cognitive, mental or emotional limitations, whose own patterns of personal, social and familial coping have been significantly affected by ongoing interaction with and concern about the individual with a disability.

Family and Community Engagement Centers are either Early Childhood Family and Community Engagement Centers (EC FACE) or School Age Family and Community Engagement Centers (SA FACE). The FACE Centers are part of a regional team that work with their Regional Partnership Center (RPC) to provide direct training and support to families, approved preschool and school-age programs, public schools and districts, and community partners. The RPCs and FACE Centers:

• Promote meaningful change within the educational system;
• Build collaborative school/community relationships;
• Promote family and community engagement within the educational system;
• Provide information and training in the areas of literacy, behavior, transition, specially designed instruction, and equity; as well as
• Provide information and training about available service options for students from early childhood through high school.

A wide variety of social services that are designed to support healthy family development, improve the family’s ability to resolve problems (such as poverty, unemployment, ill health, homelessness, substandard housing, educational difficulties, substance abuse, adolescent pregnancy, delinquency and physical and developmental problems) and prevent the need for unnecessary placement of children in foster care, group homes, inpatient substance abuse or mental health treatment programs, residential training schools or other alternative environments when family problems reach crisis proportions. Services may include home visiting services that focus on public health issues (especially prenatal), mental health and substance abuse counseling, home management instruction, success in a child care setting, parenting skills development, stress management, tutoring, pregnancy awareness and AIDS awareness; may be available to the community at large, to families at risk for dissolution or those currently in crisis; and may be offered by a single agency or a coalition of agencies that have agreed to provide services according to a coordinated case plan.

Federal, state, local and/or other funding used to provide financial assistance for family members (or other persons such as neighbors) who are serving as informal primary caregivers for frail elderly individuals or, in some cases, for adults with disabilities; for grandparents caring for grandchildren; or, in some jurisdictions, for families caring for children with severe disabilities. Age and other eligibility criteria may vary by area. Assistance may be provided in the form of cash to the consumer/caregiver, vouchers which can be redeemed with approved service providers or through pro bono services donated by local service providers to a service bank for family caregivers. The objective of the program is to make it possible for primary caregivers to obtain the assistance they need in order to continue in their caregiving role which, in turn, enables the frail elderly individual or person with a disability to remain in the community.

Supervised care for children in licensed private family homes during some portion of a 24-hour day. The number of children is restricted according to state regulations and is also sensitive to the age ranges of the children (e.g., a private home may be able to look after five preschool children but not five infants). Family day care homes above a certain size may also be required to employ a qualified aide and meet safety regulations such as fire inspections.

Outpatient facilities that offer a variety of counseling services for individuals, couples, families and extended family groups who may be experiencing difficulty resolving personal or interpersonal conflicts or making personal adjustments to stressful life situations such as separation, divorce, widowhood, loss of a child, poor health, unemployment, family violence, delinquency or substance abuse.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children’s educational records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. 

The rights of parents under FERPA are summarized in the Model Notification of Rights prepared by the U.S. Department of Education for use by schools in providing annual notification of rights to parents. It can be accessed at http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/lea-officials.html. 

Note that in New York State complete student records are maintained by schools and school districts, and not at the New York State Education Department (NYSED). 

Programs that work with families involved with the child welfare system using a process that brings together the strengths of families outside the courtroom setting to find solutions for children who have come into foster care or are at risk for placement outside the home due to abuse or neglect. If successful, children can safely remain with or return to live with a family member or, possibly, their parents, rather than be placed for adoption or have some other permanent goal established for them. Typically a case worker meets with immediate family members to identify the larger family unit to participate in the process, and a neutral coordinator works with the family as they discuss issues and options. Then the family works privately to develop a plan of action. People involved in the process may include parents, grandparents, other kin, children, tribal elders (where relevant) and individuals whom the family considers to be supportive (e.g., neighbors, clergy). In most instances, families participate in family group conferencing on a voluntary basis, though in a few locations, meetings are court-ordered. In some areas, the practice is also being used in juvenile justice and Temporary and Disability Assistance (TANF) cases.

Centers which provide comprehensive services including medical care, counseling, law enforcement, social services, employment assistance and housing assistance for people who have experienced domestic abuse. Many of the centers in the U.S. are part of a presidential initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Justice. Their objective is to reduce the fragmentation and lack of coordination among services available to this population.

Legal assistance for people who are involved in disputes or legal actions which affect their domestic relationships.

State courts that handle domestic relations cases including dissolution of marriages, nullification of marriages, legal separations, paternity actions, child custody, child support, visitation arrangements, spousal support and restraining orders; and which offer marriage and family counseling to help couples to reconcile or, if reconciliation is impossible, to reach an amicable agreement on a custody plan.

Family Peer Advocates are valuable professionals within the child serving system. They are uniquely qualified to work with families based on their first-hand experience as the parent/caregiver of a young person with a social, emotional, behavioral, health, or developmental disability. This experience, combined with additional Parent Empowerment (PEP) training, allows them to provide peer support to parents of children with similar challenges.

Permanent affordable housing and supportive services for families whose current housing situation is unstable with the objective of preventing family homelessness, preserving families at risk for separation and reunifying families that have been separated. The program generally provides intensive case management involving regular home visits, development of a family care plan, and coordination of services identified by the plan which may include health care, substance abuse treatment, counseling and other mental health services, parenting skills training, family literacy services, tutoring, vocational training, money management and other life skills training, recreational activities, child care and transportation. Some programs focus specifically on families involved in the child welfare system or other family subgroups.

A variety of short-term, intensive, home-based intervention services for families experiencing a crisis that is so severe that children are at imminent risk for placement outside the family setting. Services, which are aimed at ameliorating the underlying causes of family dysfunction, are generally time-limited, of fairly short duration and available on a 24-hour basis. Also included are other family preservation program models whose programs vary in terms of the population served, the level of intensity of services provided and the length of services. The objective of family preservation programs is to preserve the family as a unit and prevent unnecessary placement of the children in foster care, a group home, an inpatient substance abuse or mental health treatment program, a residential training school or other alternative living arrangement.

Facilitate visits by family members or significant others to people who are inmates in a correctional facility by arranging for or offering local and long-distance transportation, providing current information about visitation conditions, offering a temporary place to stay or sponsoring other similar activities.

Information for psychiatric patients and their families about the individual’s diagnosis; the meaning of specific symptoms; what is known about the causes, effects and implications of the problem; treatment and/or management options; and how to recognize signs of relapse so they can seek necessary assistance before their difficulty worsens or occurs again. People work towards recovery by developing better skills for overcoming everyday problems and illness-related issues, developing social support and improving communication with treatment providers. Family psychoeducation includes teaching coping strategies and problem-solving skills to families, friends and/or caregivers to help them deal more effectively with the individual. It improves the knowledge patients and their families have; provides a greater understanding of the importance and benefits of medication; and reduces distress, confusion and anxiety within the family which may, in turn, help the individual’s recovery. It is not considered therapy or treatment but rather is designed to stand alone or complement psychotherapy.

A wide variety of social services that are designed to support the healthy development of families, improve family interaction skills and help fragile families to resolve their problems at a pre-crisis stage before they become unmanageable. Services may be center-based or provided on an outreach basis to families who are initially reluctant to seek support and generally target the specific needs of a particular community. Included may be self-sufficiency programs which help families break the cycle of poverty by addressing the barriers to self-sufficiency; early child development and school success programs; programs which address the needs of teen parents; programs which target parents at risk for becoming abusive; programs for families with children who have special developmental needs and programs that focus on the maternal and child health care needs of first-time, expectant women whose babies are at high risk for low birth weight and infant mortality.

Identifying and enlisting people who are willing to provide living arrangements in their homes for children who need an alternative family living environment; offering services that augment and support those that are available through the family unit; or linking individuals who are in need of these services with appropriate providers.

A family team conference is a gathering of family members, friends, community specialists and other interested people who join together to strengthen a family and provide a plan of care and protection for the family’s children.

The Family Unification Program (FUP) is a program under which Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs) are provided to two different populations:

• Families for whom the lack of adequate housing is a primary factor in:
  • The imminent placement of the family’s child or children in out-of-home care, or
  • The delay in the discharge of the child or children to the family from out-of-home care. 

There is no time limitation on FUP family vouchers.

• Youth at least 18 years old and not more than 21 years old who left foster care at age 16 or older and who lack adequate housing. FUP vouchers used by youth are limited, by statute to 18 months of housing assistance.

Programs that attempt to reduce the incidence of child abuse, elder abuse and spouse abuse in family settings through a variety of educational interventions which may focus on children of various ages, parents, people who work with families and/or the community at large.

Federal courts that have been established in 11 regions in the United States which consider appeals in cases decided by federal trial courts. Decisions by the Court of Appeals are final except when they are subject to discretionary review or appeal to the Supreme Court.

Courts that are part of the judicial branch of the U.S. government which hear and rule on appeals from lower courts or which are especially established by Congress to deal with particular types of cases.

Federal trial courts located in judicial districts throughout the United States which have jurisdiction in all criminal and civil matters related to violations of federal statutes and the U.S. Constitution. There is at least one judicial district in each state and frequently more than one. Decisions by the federal district courts are subject to appeal to the Federal Court of Appeals.

Federal government information lines provide telephone information about U.S. government offices and services, and which assist callers to locate the office they need. Also included are organizations that provide federal government information via an Internet website.

A consumer-focused website (HealthCare.gov) and a 24-hour consumer call center operated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) whose purpose is to ensure that individuals who need health coverage have the information they need to make choices that are right for themselves and their families or their businesses under the Affordable Care Act. When fully operational, consumers will be able to create accounts, complete an online application, and shop for qualified health plans. Key features of the website will include integration of social media, sharable content, and engagement destinations for consumers to get more information. Web chat functionality will be available to support additional consumer inquiries. The ongoing functions of the call center are to serve consumers who are uncomfortable with a computer environment, handle coverage complaints, work with people whose income changes may impact their eligibility for a subsidy or other benefits and help people who have other questions that haven’t been answered locally.

FSA ID is a username and password combination that serves as a student’s or parent’s identifier to allow access to personal information in various U.S. Department of Education systems and acts as a digital signature on some online forms.

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a grant that is awarded to students in need of financial aid. It is a type of federal grant that is awarded college undergraduate program students and does not need to be repaid. A student awarded the FSEOG is given between $100.00 and $4,000.00 per year depending on the gravity of the person’s financial aid need.

This program provides jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay their education expenses. It is administered by the college financial aid office.

Fellowships usually available through colleges and universities, foundations or public and private agencies, which make an award to assist graduate students with the cost of study or research. Teaching and other special duties may be required.

Temporary housing in the form of mobile homes or travel trailers that individuals and families whose homes or apartments have become uninhabitable due to a major disaster or large scale emergency involving a Presidential declaration can place on their property and occupy while their primary residence is being repaired or rebuilt.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications.

Integrates service delivery for acute care, long-term care, and behavioral health under a single payment per beneficiary for those eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare.

Teaching people who have hearing impairments and other interested individuals to communicate using a system in which letters of the alphabet are manually spelled out by different positioning of the fingers.

A therapeutic intervention for children with autism spectrum disorders developed by Stanley Greenspan that is much like play therapy in that it builds an increasingly larger circle of interaction between a child and an adult in a developmentally-based sequence. Greenspan describes six stages of emotional development that children meet to develop a foundation for more advanced learning, a developmental ladder that children with autism may have difficulty climbing. Through the use of Floor Time, parents and educators can follow the child’s lead and build on what the child does to encourage more interactions. Floor Time does not treat the child with autism in separate pieces for speech development or motor development but rather addresses the child’s emotional development. It is frequently used for a child’s daily playtime in conjunction with other methods.

Programs that gather, sort, store and distribute to participating charitable agencies, surplus food products and edible but unmarketable food that has been acquired from growers, grocers and other sources. Also included are the supermarket chains, food manufacturers, wholesalers, restaurant suppliers, agencies that organize food drives, government departments (e.g., the USDA) and other organizations that donate food on a regular basis to food banks and/or directly to food pantries, meal programs, homeless shelters and other human service agencies with food programs.

Collecting, warehousing and distributing food from a wide variety of sources to food pantries, meal programs, shelters and other charitable organizations that use it for people in their own programs or make it available to individuals and families in the community who need it. Included are programs that provide food storage facilities for community residents.

Acquiring food products through donations, canned food drives, food bank programs or direct purchase and distribute the food to people who are in emergency situations. Some pantries deliver food to people whose disabilities or illnesses make it difficult for them to leave home.

Locations where the public can pick up food, water, ice and other emergency supplies following a disaster.

Provide advice and guidance regarding academic and personal matters for students who are citizens of other countries.

An assessment of the mental health status of individuals who are involved in criminal or civil law cases at the request of the court or an attorney who is attempting to evaluate the situation. Forensic evaluations are completed by mental health personnel (generally psychiatrists or psychologists) who have additional training in the law; and may address any of a wide range of issues such as an individual’s fitness to stand trial (i.e., their ability to assist in their own defense), the competency of the accused at the time of a crime, waiver of Miranda rights, the validity of an insanity plea, the legitimacy of a stress-related illness claim arising from an individual’s employment, the extent of brain damage that may have occurred in a head injury case, a child’s ability to testify or a person’s competency to manage his or her own affairs. Forensic evaluations may also be done in situations involving juvenile justice issues, child abuse, child custody disputes, termination of parental rights and other cases that are being heard in juvenile court or family law court.

Secure inpatient facilities which provide mental health assessment and treatment services for presentence defendants and defendants found “not guilty by reason of insanity” by the courts. Some facilities may also admit dangerous, civil psychiatric patients who cannot be controlled in a civil setting and mentally ill jail inmates on an emergency, temporary basis. Admissions to forensic psychiatric hospitals are court-ordered and involuntary.

Licensed physicians whose psychiatric focus is on interrelationships with civil, criminal and administrative law and the evaluation and specialized treatment of individuals involved with the legal system or incarcerated in jails, prisons or forensic psychiatric hospitals.

Professionals or paraprofessionals who receive payment for providing services to attend to the daily needs of individuals who are temporarily or permanently unable to care for themselves due to general frailty; illnesses, injuries or progressively debilitating conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or mental illness; or other incapacitating problems. Through some programs, family or friends who provide care on an informal basis may be paid to fulfill their caregiver role.

Youth who previously lived in foster care and may have aged out of the foster care system and who may need support to successfully transition to independent adulthood. Also included are adults who, as children, were raised in foster care and are having difficulty with personal, social or familial coping as a result.

Former foster youth.

Programs that provide legal assistance for children and youth in foster care, children for whom parental rights have been terminated (“legal orphans” for whom the state is now the parent), youth transitioning into adulthood and others who have contact with the foster care system.  The assistance informs the child or youth of their rights, helps them understand their options and enables them to have a voice in decisions about where they live, their health care, their education, basic needs and other critical issues.

Children and youth in the care and custody of the local department of social services. Such children are placed in an alternative living arrangement, which may be placement with approved relatives, foster families, group homes, residential programs or other placements. Nationally, foster care is recognized as birth to 18 years.  New York State is one of the few states that allows youth to remain in care until 21. Children enter into foster care for different reasons.  Sometimes parents abuse or neglect their children, leading to a determination that the children must be removed from the home for their safety. Other parents know they can’t care for their children and ask for help. Some youth enter into care because they need help with behaviors that are getting them into trouble.

Families that have one or more foster children in their care.

Programs that provide part-time opportunities for low-income individuals age 60 and older to serve as mentors, tutors and caregivers for abused or neglected children, troubled youth, or youngsters with disabilities or other special needs in schools, hospitals, child care programs, Head Start programs and residential settings. Foster grandparents receive a modest tax-free stipend for their work as well as reimbursements for their travel expenses, and have the satisfaction of helping young people grow, gain confidence, and become more productive members of society. Local nonprofit organizations and public agencies receive grants to sponsor and operate local Foster Grandparent projects. The Foster Grandparents Program is part of Senior Corps, a network of programs administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Programs that establish and enforce health, safety and program standards for foster homes, review applications for licenses, issue or deny licenses, inspect facilities for compliance with requirements and revoke licenses or bring disciplinary action for noncompliance.

People who are currently residing in an agency-supervised private family home which may be structured to meet the needs of children and youth who have been neglected, abused or abandoned and are no longer able to live with their birth families; older adults; people with disabilities or other populations. Note that foster care for older adults and/or people with disabilities may not be available in all states.

Agency-supervised private family homes that provide alternative family living arrangements for children with developmental disabilities, sensory impairments, physical disabilities or multiple disabilities who are unable to live with their birth parents. The arrangement provides an opportunity for the child with a disability to live with a family in a residential setting.

Alternative family living arrangements in agency-supervised private family homes for children and youth who have been neglected, abused or abandoned in situations where a children’s protective services worker or a court has decided that they cannot live safely at home.

Individuals who are licensed to provide a home for orphaned, abused, neglected or delinquent children or children with disabilities, usually with the approval of the government or a social service agency.

This is the form used by the US Department of Education to determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) by conducting a “need analysis” based on financial information, such as income, assets and other household information, which you (and your parents if you are a dependent student) will be asked to provide.

Textbooks and other essential educational supplies at no cost for students who cannot afford to purchase them.

Alternative schools at the elementary or secondary level that offer a completely voluntaristic framework including an unstructured curriculum and a spontaneous learning environment in which students are free to select what, with whom, and how to learn. Grades, competition and comparisons between individual students are discarded.

Passes for students, older adults, people with disabilities or other groups which enable them to utilize mass transit services at no cost.

Schools or classes outside the regular school system that are organized to teach minority group children about their cultural heritage in addition to the regular curriculum.

Programs that reach out to people who are hospitalized or in another institutional setting, are socially isolated due to disability or old age, or otherwise lack companionship with the objective of brightening their day and helping them to maintain contact with the outside world. Included may be in-person visits, telephone calls, Internet chat sessions or other forms of contact.

Friendly telephoning helps people who are socially isolated due to disability or old age or otherwise lack companionship relieve their loneliness by arranging for people (usually volunteers) to telephone them on a regular basis to listen, talk and help them maintain contact with the outside world.

“Friendly visitors” (usually volunteers but also paid hourly companions) to call on people who are hospitalized or in another institutional setting, who are homebound or socially isolated due to disability or old age, or otherwise lack companionship with the objective of brightening their day and helping them to maintain contact with the outside world by reading, talking, listening, writing letters or performing other similar tasks.

Vehicle Registration that enable the general public to register their automobiles or other vehicles and obtain valid license plates at the regular rate.

Passes which people can use in lieu of cash to purchase transportation service via mass transit at regular rates.

Functional behavioral assessment means the process of determining why a student engages in behaviors that impede learning and how the student’s behavior relates to the student’s school and home environment. The functional behavioral assessment includes, but is not limited to, the identification of the problem behavior, the definition of the behavior in concrete terms, the identification of the contextual factors that contribute to the behavior (including cognitive and affective factors) and the formulation of a hypothesis regarding the general conditions under which a behavior usually occurs and probable consequences that serve to maintain it. It relies on a variety of techniques and strategies to identify the purposes of specific behavior and to help Individualized Educational Program (IEP) teams select interventions to directly address the problem behavior. Functional behavioral assessment should be integrated, as appropriate, throughout the process of developing, reviewing, and, if necessary, revising a student’s IEP.

Physical, mental or developmental disabilities that pose substantial barriers to an individual’s ability to maintain independent living and which place the individual at risk of institutionalization without varying degrees of community support or which may leave no other choice than institutionalization.

Devices which utilize electrical current to stimulate muscles to carry out a function such as walking or grasping.

Immediate assistance for people who are concerned about their own gambling or the gambling of a friend or family member which may include short-term emotional support, an opportunity to ask questions and discuss alternatives and referrals to confidential treatment services. Hotline staff are generally available via the telephone, email, live chat and/or instant message (IM).

Programs that attempt to reduce the incidence of problem gambling through a variety of educational interventions which help people understand the nature of problem gambling (gambling that causes psychological, physical, social or vocational disruptions in the lives of people for whom gambling is an issue); the risk factors and warning signs; and sources for treatment and support. Included are prevention programs that address specific target populations (e.g., helping professionals, people who are at risk for the problem or people who are concerned about their own gambling or the gambling of someone they care about) as well as those that are intended to reach the community at large. Delivery formats may include printed materials, videos or websites that address the subject and presentations in schools and agencies and to family groups.

Simple tests that people can use to evaluate their gambling behavior and identify the need for a more definitive assessment and treatment.

State, county or municipal programs which provide cash income on a regular basis for targeted individuals who do not qualify for other income maintenance programs, e.g., families or people with disabilities who do not qualify for TANF or SSI because of resources or income from employment. Also included are programs that provide supplementary income for individuals receiving other forms of basic maintenance in situations where the authorizing agent considers the primary award to be inadequate.

State or local programs which ensure that low-income people who are ineligible for other nutrition benefits programs have access to supplemental food, nutrition education and other similar resources. Services may be structured for specific target populations including mothers with children who do not qualify for the WIC program and income-eligible older adults.

Money or vouchers to purchase gasoline, most frequently for individuals who need their automobile for necessary local or out-of-town travel but cannot afford to run their vehicle without assistance, but occasionally for people driving through the local area who have become stranded.

Organizations that support the passage and enforcement of laws and other social measures that protect and promote the rights and interests of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender individuals, intersexed individuals (people born with reproductive organs and/or genitalia that are ambiguous or atypical), cross-dressers and/or people who are in the process of coming out or are questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Organizations that provide an opportunity for gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender individuals, intersexed individuals (people born with reproductive organs and/or genitalia that are ambiguous or atypical), cross-dressers and/or individuals who are questioning their gender or sexual orientation to meet and socialize through dances, parties, picnics, barbecues, pride events and other companionable activities. Some clubs may also offer lecture series which address topics of interest to the membership; provide opportunities for involvement in charitable fundraising and other similar activities; or be specifically configured for GLBT individuals with other characteristics e.g., gender questioning youth; Jewish lesbians, Catholic gays or people representative of a particular cultural heritage.

Mutual support groups whose members are gays, lesbians, bisexual individuals, people who are in the process of coming out, people who are questioning their sexual orientation, transgender individuals, cross-dressers and/or gender questioning youth. Some groups may include intersexed individuals (people born with reproductive organs and/or genitalia that are ambiguous or atypical). Groups may also be structured for the parents, children, heterosexual spouses or partners or other relatives or significant others of people with sexual orientation or gender identity issues. The groups provide an opportunity for members to share their issues and concerns with others in a safe, supportive environment. Meeting formats may include in-person, telephone or Internet options.

Sites that administer the writing, social studies, science, reading and mathematics examinations that adults and eligible minors who have not completed their formal education can take to obtain a high school equivalency certificate. Included are programs that administer the General Educational Development (GED) test, a joint venture of the American Council on Education and Pearson, the HiSET test developed by Educational Testing Service (ETS), the Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) developed by CTB/McGraw-Hill and other tests that can serve as the equivalent of a high school degree.

Counseling that provides emotional support, information and guidance in a variety of settings for individuals who have a desire to change their biological sexual characteristics to conform physically with their perception of self as a member of the opposite sex and who want to explore their options including sexual reorientation and reassignment through surgery.

Copies of the official record of an individual’s GED test scores.

Programs that provide instruction for adults and eligible minors who have elected to take a series of tests which measure the extent to which they have gained the knowledge, skills and understanding ordinarily acquired through a high school education. Instruction and testing focus on writing, social studies, science, reading and mathematics. Individuals who pass the tests receive a high school equivalency certificate.

The GED Test of General Education Development was replaced in 2014 with the High School Equivalency (HSE) Program. In New York, the test is called TASC (Test Assessing Secondary Completion).

Licensed physicians who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders including anxiety, depression, psychoses, sexual dysfunction, adjustment reactions and substance abuse. Psychiatric treatment involves a full mental and physical health evaluation and an individualized treatment plan which may include psychotherapy, medication and other interventions which help patients and their families cope with their illness. General psychiatry applies broadly to all populations with mental disabilities rather than offering more specialized services to specific target groups.

An anxiety disorder that is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable tension and worry about everyday things such as health, money, family or work in situations where there is little or nothing to provoke it. The disorder can affect daily functioning and cause physical symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, trembling, muscular aches, insomnia, nausea, dizziness and irritability.

Corrective lenses for people who have defective but correctable vision, or which provide vouchers which can be exchanged for glasses or contact lenses.

Immediate assistance for people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, two-spirited, people who are in the process of coming out, people who are questioning their sexual orientation and/or their friends and families. Included may be short-term emotional support, resources and community referrals. The service is generally free and confidential and may offer peer support. Hotline staff are generally available via the telephone, email, live chat and/or instant message (IM).

Associations whose members are representatives of government at all levels who have affiliated for the purpose of working together to discuss, study and resolve the problems they have in common and promote the general welfare of the jurisdictions they represent. Government associations provide advocacy, training, publications, research and other services for their members; offer a forum for discussion and problem-solving; enable members to speak with a single voice on local, regional, state or national policy; alert members to emerging social, economic and political trends; promote leadership; share innovations and best practices; provide management and technical assistance services; offer cost savings through aggregated purchases of insurance, energy or other resources; and provide other forms of support that meet the needs of their members.

Consumer protection offices that are part of federal, state, county or city governments which receive, investigate and resolve through direct action or referral to law enforcement or regulatory agencies, consumer complaints that are a result of transactions in the marketplace. Most government consumer affairs offices also publish and disseminate a large selection of consumer education materials, initiate studies to improve standards of conduct for businesses and consumers, and analyze and recommend changes in consumer protection legislation.

Enforcement of legislation which regulates the collection, maintenance, use and dissemination of personal information by federal, state or local government entities; and protects the right of individuals to access and correct personal information held about themselves by government institutions.

Benefits offered by local or state government agencies that pay all or a portion of the monthly costs for prescription drugs required by people who meet eligibility requirements for the programs. In some cases, the individual receives a discount card that can be presented to the pharmacist. The individual pays the co-payment amount and the pharmacist bills the sponsoring agency for the remainder. Specific mechanisms and eligibility requirements may vary by jurisdiction.

A preparation may be available via the Internet, that offer courses that prepare prospective graduate students to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or other aptitude and/or achievement tests which are used by colleges and universities to screen and select students for admission to their graduate programs. Practice questions may be available.

Examinations that administer achievement, aptitude and other measures for the express purpose of screening and selecting postgraduate students to be admitted to a college, university or professional school graduate program.

Programs, usually offered by community adult schools, that provide opportunities for adults and eligible minors who have not completed their formal education to earn eighth grade or high school diplomas or the equivalents.

Assistance for grandparents who feel that their visitation and custody rights with regard to their grandchildren have been violated. Also included are organizations that provide information about the rights of grandparents and/or referrals for grandparents who need to locate a lawyer who has expertise in this area, or other legal resources.

A government-subsidized program that is mandatory for TANF mothers and fathers whose youngest child has reached the age of six, which attempts to move participants off the welfare rolls and into gainful employment. The GAIN program provides orientation services, basic education assistance, employment planning, work internships, work experience, job placement, child care and other supportive services.

Advocacy that intervene on behalf of groups of people who have a common grievance against a public or private service provider or who believe that their rights have been violated, and which attempt to reach an equitable settlement without resorting to litigation.

Children and/or adults who are currently residing in an agency-owned or operated facility that can generally accommodate six to 13 residents (or more dependent on the licensing entity) who can benefit from a professionally supervised, treatment oriented, structured group environment.

Facilities that provide an alternative living environment for children and youth with developmental disabilities, sensory impairments, physical disabilities or multiple disabilities who are in need of personal services, supervision and/or assistance essential for self-protection or sustaining the activities of daily living and who are unable to live with their own or a foster family. Residents often attend on-grounds schools or public schools and also receive services that focus on the development of self-help, self-care, socialization, prevocational and independent living skills. Group homes for children with disabilities are generally licensed by the state and may be distinguished according to the level of service residents require. Service levels depend on the self-care skills residents possess, their limitations in the areas of physical coordination and mobility, and the presence and extent of behavior problems including disruptive or self-injurious behavior.

Facilities that provide an alternative living environment for children and youth who have been neglected, abused or abandoned or have had contact with the juvenile justice system, who are unable to live with their own family or a foster family and who would benefit from a professionally supervised, structured group environment. In some situations, particularly with older youth, a group home is the only option available. Group homes for dependent children are generally licensed by the state.

Agency-owned or operated facilities that provide an alternative living environment for adults with developmental disabilities, sensory impairments, physical disabilities, emotional disabilities, multiple disabilities or chronic illnesses such as AIDS who are in need of personal services, supervision and/or assistance essential for self-protection or sustaining the activities of daily living and consequently are unable to live with their own families or in a more independent setting. Group residences for adults with disabilities may be licensed by the state and may be distinguished according to the level of service residents require. Service levels depend on the self-care skills residents possess, their limitations in the areas of physical coordination and mobility, and the presence and extent of behavior problems including disruptive or self-injurious behavior.

People who are lawfully vested with the power and charged with the duty of managing the property and rights of a child during minority.

Advice and guidance for students who need assistance in choosing courses or areas for major study, preparing for a vocation or further education, or coping with learning problems, or who, because of lack of familiarity with the U.S. or other circumstances, require specialized support.

Individuals who have a psychological dependency on any of a variety of drugs that produce striking distortions or intensifications of what and how users see, touch, smell and hear; or whose use of these drugs has impaired their physical or mental health or their personal, social or occupational functioning. Principal negative side effects of hallucinogen abuse include unpredictable behavior, flashbacks, emotional instability and potentially, psychosis. Hallucinogenic drugs include LSD, MDA, STP, DMT, DET, psilocybin, peyote and mescaline.

Attempt to reduce the incidence of intimidation, property crimes and violence against individuals on the basis of their race or ethnic origin, nationality, religion, sexual orientation or other stereotypic characteristic through a variety of educational interventions that focus on making people aware of the problem, encouraging people to actively condemn behaviors that promote hate crimes, and helping to develop cultural sensitivity in communities that are experiencing tension or where incidents have already occurred.

A federally-funded child development program that provides educational experiences, medical and dental services, nutritional meals, counseling and opportunities for parental involvement to help prepare low-income children and children with disabilities age three to five to enter and succeed in school.

Entities that contract with the federal government to oversee the establishment and operation of Head Start sites within the county. Grantees are responsible for the administration of Head Start programs and the allocation of funding, the coordination of enrollment and the referral of eligible families to Head Start sites. Some grantee agencies reassign their administrative responsibilities to delegate agencies.

Centers administered by the grantee and delegate agencies that are responsible for providing the Head Start program for eligible children.

Health care purpose is to help individuals and families achieve and maintain physical well-being through the study, prevention, screening, evaluation and treatment of people who have illnesses, injuries or disabilities; and the provision of family planning, maternity and other services that relate to human reproduction and sexual health.

Programs that offer discounts in the cost of medical, dental, vision, pharmaceutical and other health care services through an enrollment program for people wanting access to lower-cost health care delivery. Normally a stand-alone alternative to traditional health insurance, these programs may be offered by employers or purchased directly as a supplemental benefit package. The programs enlist providers that agree to offer their services at discount prices, enroll people who want the coverage, and issue discount cards and a provider list. The public gets a discount on covered health care at the point of service, providers increase their cash flow and avoid expenditures associated with processing insurance forms and the program itself gets revenue from enrollment fees.

Assistance for people who believe that they have been treated unfairly, denied health or mental health care services or benefits or have experienced delays in service provision based on their age, gender, family composition, race or ethnic origin, nationality, religion, disability, sexual orientation or marital status.

Health education provides information that improves the public’s understanding of living and working conditions and other factors that safeguard their health and prevent or reduce the risk of injury, disease, disability and premature death. Health education programs help people make informed decisions about matters which affect their personal health and the health of others. They inform the public of health and safety hazards, help people modify behaviors that compromise their health, encourage people to take advantage of early detection programs and provide information about treatment and rehabilitation options for people who have an illness, injury or disability. They also provide anticipatory information or guidance to help people deal with and understand specific medical procedures, being hospitalized or other necessary interfaces with the health care system.

Establishing and enforcing health, safety and program standards for health care and mental health facilities, review applications for licenses, issue or deny licenses, inspect facilities for compliance with requirements and revoke licenses or bring disciplinary action for noncompliance. Included are programs that provide licensing for general acute care hospitals, acute psychiatric hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, home health agencies, hospice facilities, employer/employee clinics, rehabilitation clinics, community clinics, surgical clinics, and chronic dialysis clinics.

A ´Health Home´ is not a physical place; it is a group of health care and service providers working together to make sure you get the care and services you need to stay healthy. Once you are enrolled in a Health Home, you will have a care manager that works with you to develop a care plan. A care plan maps out the services you need, to put you on the road to better health. Some of the services may include:

• Connecting to health care providers,
• Connecting to mental health and substance abuse providers,
• Connecting to needed medications,
• Help with housing,
• Social services (such as food, benefits, and transportation) or,
• Other community programs that can support and assist you.

Health Home Member Brochure (PDF)

Quick Health Home Links

Health Home Care Managers provide comprehensive, integrated medical and behavioral health care management to Medicaid-enrolled adults with chronic conditions to ensure access to appropriate services, improve health outcomes, prevent hospitalizations and emergency room visits and avoid unnecessary care. HHCM services include health promotion; transitional care, including appropriate follow-up from inpatient to other settings; patient and family support; and referral to community and social support services.

Former Adult Targeted Case Management programs that converted to Health Home Care Management (HHCM). These funds are available to the HHCM provider who in addition to serving adult Medicaid enrolled recipients with a Serious Mental Illness (SMI) also serves adult non-Medicaid SMI clients who cannot be enrolled in a Health Home. These funds typically support the higher acuity non-Medicaid recipients by advocating for needed services, helping to find their way through complex health care and social services systems, providing support for improved community service linkages, performing on-site crisis intervention and skills teaching when other services are not available, and if the recipient is eligible, working to secure Medicaid benefits with the goal of subsequent Health Home enrollment.

Information and guidance for people who need assistance in selecting appropriate health insurance coverage and which may also answer questions about health insurance benefits and help people complete insurance forms.

Counseling that helps people in need of health insurance evaluate the full range of alternatives available to them and select the coverage that best meets their needs.

Regulations that administer and enforce the provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 which protect the security and confidentiality of health information under 45 CFR, parts 160 and 164 (the Privacy Rule). The privacy regulations ensure a national floor of privacy protections for patients by limiting the ways that health plans, health clearinghouses, pharmacies, hospitals and other health care providers covered by the Act can use patients’ personal medical information. The regulations protect medical records and other individually identifiable health information, whether it is on paper, in computers or communicated orally. Key provisions address patient access to their medical records, notification of patients regarding privacy practices, limits on use of personal medical information, prohibitions on marketing, protections for stronger state laws, confidential communication upon the request of patients and access to a complaints process. HIPAA also limits exclusions from insurance because of pre-existing conditions, prohibits discrimination based on health conditions, and gives people the right to buy individual policies if a group plan is not available to them and they have used up their COBRA or other type of health insurance continuation coverage.

Assistance that make health insurance payments for individuals who are at risk for losing their health, dental and/or vision care coverage and who meet age, income, disability, need or other requirements. Some programs may also provide assistance with deductibles and co-pays.

Organizations that issue insurance policies which reimburse policy holders for all or a portion of the cost of hospital, medical or dental care or lost income arising from an illness or injury.

Assistance for clinics, hospitals, provider networks, health maintenance organizations, home health care organizations, imaging centers, nursing homes, pharmacies and other organizations in the health care industry in need of legal advice or representation regarding legislative and regulatory issues, patient/resident issues, staff issues, certificates of need, third party payments, alternative health care delivery systems, licensing and accreditation, institutional review, policy and procedure development and implementation, physician contracts and compensation, Medicare and Medicaid compliance, and medical ethics issues such as withholding or withdrawing medical treatment. Health lawyers also provide legal services for organizations confronted with a health-related investigation or litigation; and offer support regarding a wide variety of operational issues such as medical records systems, HIPAA compliance, patient confidentiality, informed consent, physician recruitment, quality of care and utilization management. Some lawyers in this area may also represent patients.

Organizations that are dedicated to protecting and improving the quality and affordability of health and long term care for all individuals and advocating for changes in the health care system that will achieve these goals; or which advocate more broadly for legislation and other measures such as bans on smoking that have a positive impact on public health. Specific issues may include extending the reach of childhood immunization programs, expanding services for people with specific disabilities or health conditions, funding medical research, supporting or opposing stem cell research, establishing the liability of managed health care organizations and nursing facilities for the consequences of their decisions, providing a prescription drug benefit for the elderly, passing a powerful patient’s bill of rights, advocating for universal health care or taking a position on the merits of specific medical procedures or forms of treatment.

A temporary place to stay for individuals and/or families who require this type of assistance based on the health condition of a family member.

Social and recreational activities for people who are recovering from surgery or a serious illness to help them gain confidence and readjust to living and/or working in the community.

Services that utilize one or a combination of diagnostic tools to test large groups of people who are assumed to be well for the presence of a particular disease or condition or for certain risk factors that are known to be associated with that disease or condition; or which conduct in-depth tests to establish the cause and nature of an individual’s presenting illness. The purpose of screening is to identify people who have a potential problem and refer them for early diagnosis and treatment and, where possible, to provide preventive measures. Early identification is particularly important when dealing with conditions that are more difficult to treat when fully developed. The purpose of more in-depth diagnostic work is to establish a logical basis for ongoing treatment.

Health supportive services provide equipment, information, social services or other forms of support which supplement the treatment or habilitation of people who have illnesses, injuries or disabilities or facilitate their ability to function. Included are blood banking services and other anatomical specimen banks, assistive technology equipment and services, medical equipment and supplies, health care referrals, health insurance, pharmacy services, prescription medication support services and health education information which may be instrumental in the prevention of illnesses, injuries or disabilities prior to their occurrence, teach people to provide emergency first aid or help people make informed decisions about health care.

Counseling that provides emotional support, information and guidance in a variety of settings for individuals who have a disability; who are concerned about or have any of a variety of illnesses, including those that may ultimately be fatal; or who have experienced the disabling or disfiguring effects of an illness, injury or surgery. The counseling may deal with the realities of having a disability or being ill, coping with their illness/disability, life adjustments required by their situation, and helping them evaluate their alternatives and make personal choices that will maximize their ability to function independently. Included are programs that provide counseling for individuals who have a family history of a particular health condition or disability and need assistance in coping with the emotional problems that are associated with having or being at risk for developing the condition.

Mutual support groups whose members are people who have specific disabilities, illnesses or other health conditions, their families and friends. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; and provide an opportunity for participants to share information, practical tips for daily living and encouragement about issues related to the disability or health problem.

Amplification equipment for people who have impaired but correctable hearing. Included are hearing aids that are placed in the canal, in the ear (ITE or intraural), or behind the ear (BTE); eyeglasses aids; body aids; and vibrotactile aids which vibrate to assist the wearer to recognize speech and increase environmental awareness.

Equipment or other products which enhance the residual hearing of people who have hearing impairments or which provide alternative methods of communication for people who have no residual hearing.

Hearing impairment as a disability category is similar to the category of deafness, but it is not the same. The official definition of a hearing impairment by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is “an impairment in hearing, whether permanent or fluctuating, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance but is not included under the definition of ‘deafness.’” Thus, knowing the definition of deafness is necessary to understand what sort of disabilities are considered hearing impairments. A hearing loss above 90 decibels is generally considered deafness, which means that a hearing loss below 90 decibels is classified as a hearing impairment.

Tests that enable high school students to earn course credit by examination.

The local administrative units that are responsible for operating high schools or for contracting for high school services in specific geographical areas.

The GED Test of General Education Development was replaced in 2014 with the High School Equivalency (HSE) Program. In New York, the test is called TASC (Test Assessing Secondary Completion) and is available to adults over the age 19 who did not complete high school (students under age 19 must meet eligibility guidelines). The TASC is available in English and Spanish at test preparation centers across the State. The TASC includes five sections to assess knowledge at the high school level in math, writing, reading, social studies, and science. Passing scores from previous GED tests will count toward passing the TASC until 2016.

Courses, which may be available via the Internet, that prepare students to take tests which may be required in some states to demonstrate grade level competency in reading, writing and mathematics as a condition for receiving their high school diploma. Practice questions may be available.

High school exit examinations purpose is to ensure that students who graduate from public high schools can demonstrate grade level competency in reading, writing and mathematics.

Individuals who have a high school diploma or GED certificate which documents satisfactory completion of the required curriculum.

Regular high school curriculum that provide an opportunity for students to learn basic skills in occupational areas such as shop, auto mechanics and business.

Organizations whose members are colleges, universities and other postsecondary institutions and/or individuals such as university presidents, academic administrators and faculty leaders who work in these settings who have affiliated for the purpose of planning and implementing effective educational programs as a means of strengthening their institutions, promoting mutual interests, participating in education and training conferences, subscribing to educational journals and other publications, interacting with other professionals and taking advantage of other opportunities for personal and professional development. Higher education associations may also conduct legislative advocacy with the objective of having an impact on educational policy at all levels; monitor national issues and trends; collect, analyze and disseminate information to members; and help member institutions achieve the highest possible standards of educational quality.

Programs that encourage students, usually in middle school or high school, to consider higher education and to gain the skills necessary to be successful in the college, university or other postsecondary program of their choice. Services may include guidance from staff and mentors, academic preparation, SAT test preparation, college/university admissions and financial aid workshops, and visits to local colleges and universities.

Programs that provide assistance and support for individuals entering college with the objective of improving retention and ensuring that they have an equal footing with other students. The programs are offered by community colleges, four year colleges and universities and other educational institutions; are often available during the summer; may target minority students, international students, non-English speaking students, first generation students, gifted students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, students with disabilities and other non-traditional groups; and may offer academic support (such as writing, mathematics and reading), provide information about study skills (such as time management, individual learning style, study strategies, and expectations for college work), include discussions of campus life and/or offer career counseling. Some programs focus on preparation within specific major fields of study (e.g., science or math), have a parent involvement component, provide opportunities for community service or introduce new students to potential mentors. Many institutions offer more than one bridge program, accommodating the unique needs of their student population.

The Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) is an academic support program established by the State of New York in 1970. It enables motivated students who lack adequate preparation and financial resources for college attendance to pursue a college degree. To meet the specific need of its students, HEOP primarily provides testing, counseling, and tutoring. Academic advisement and financial assistance are also available.

A form of treatment for individuals who have movement dysfunction that uses the multidimensional movement of the horse to improve neurological function and sensory processing. The horse’s walk provides sensory input through movement which is variable, rhythmic and repetitive. The resultant movement responses in the client are similar to human movement patterns of the pelvis while walking. The variability of the horse’s gait enables the therapist to grade the degree of sensory input to the client, then use this movement in combination with other clinical treatments to achieve desired results. Hippotherapy can improve balance, posture, mobility and function; but may also affect psychological, cognitive, behavioral and communication functions. It is typically offered by physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists who have been trained in the process.

A personality disorder that is characterized by behavior that is consistently overly dramatic, reactive, and intensely expressed, and by interpersonal relationships which are perceived by others as shallow and lacking genuineness in which the person is dependent, helpless and constantly seeking reassurance; vain and demanding; self-indulgent; egocentric and inconsiderate of others; and prone to manipulative suicide threats, gestures or attempts.

The Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver program, operated in New York State by the NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), funds and administers a variety of supports and services that enable adults and children with developmental disabilities to live in the community as an alternative to Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs). These waivers, which permit the use of Medicaid funding for provision of long-term care (including standard medical and non-medical) services in home and community-based settings, are one of the options available to states under the Medicaid Program.

HCBS is OPWDD’s primary funding mechanism for supporting individuals in the community. It provides for a range of services and supports that are uniquely tailored and individualized to meet each person’s needs. These services can include habilitation services, respite care, service coordination, and adaptive technologies. Services are delivered either by OPWDD’s Developmental Disabilities Services Office (DDSO) staff or through voluntary not-for-profit agencies that have been authorized by OPWDD or the NYS Department of Health (DOH) to provide HCBS Waiver services.

 A person who is eligible and lives in NYS can request to be enrolled in the HCBS Waiver by contacting the DDSO or a provider agency that serves the county in which the person lives.

Assistance in the form of labor and supplies for people with disabilities who need to install ramps, elevators, stair glides or lifts; widen doorways; install grab bars in showers and bathrooms; lower kitchen and other cabinets; or make other modifications in their homes or apartments to make them accessible. Also included are programs that assess the accessibility of homes and apartments of people who have disabilities and make recommendations regarding necessary modifications.

Cash assistance for qualified people with disabilities who want to install ramps or elevators, widen doorways, install grab bars in showers and bathrooms, lower kitchen and other cabinets or make other modifications in their homes in order to make them more accessible.

Loans to qualified people with disabilities who want to install ramps or elevators, widen doorways, install grab bars in showers and bathrooms, lower kitchen and other cabinets or make other modifications in their homes in order to make them more accessible.

Clinical therapeutic services, medication, daily living skills assistance and other mental health services for people who are unable to leave their homes because of the severity of their mental or emotional disturbance or the disabling effects of complicating medical conditions; for families with children experiencing a crisis that is so severe that the child is at imminent risk for hospitalization or placement in a residential treatment facility; or for people for whom home-based services are the most appropriate option.

Organizations whose members are home health, hospice and personal care agencies that have affiliated for the purpose of promoting mutual interests, increasing the visibility of home care services, disseminating information to members and the general public and improving the quality, accessibility and affordability of in-home and end of life care. Home health and hospice associations may provide opportunities for personal and professional development through conferences, publications and other activities; advocate for the rights of patients, their families and caregivers and people who are bereaved; maintain referral services through which people who require home health, personal care, palliative care or hospice services are referred to member agencies; and/or provide information about employment opportunities for people working in the field.

Kits which enable individuals (usually parents) to test urine samples for the presence of illegal drugs in the privacy of their homes.

The Home Energy Assistance Program is a federally funded program that assists low-income households with the cost of heating their homes. HEAP also offers an emergency benefit for households in a heat-related energy emergency. In New York, HEAP is administered by the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and available to eligible households through local departments of social services.

Services of paraprofessional aides who provide personal health care services which do not require special technical training, in the homes of recently discharged hospital patients, elderly individuals and people with disabilities. Services are provided in accordance with a written home health care plan and may include feeding, bathing and grooming patients; changing their beds; taking their temperature, pulse or respiration; helping them to the toilet or to use a bedpan; and other types of assistance that enhance their physical and emotional comfort. The home health aide may also perform other activities as taught by a health professional for a specific patient including changing a colostomy bag; assisting with the use of devices for aid to daily living; assisting with prescribed range of motion exercises; assisting with prescribed ice cap or collar; doing simple urine tests for sugar, acetone or albumin; measuring and preparing special diets; measuring fluid intake and output; and supervising the self-administration of medications (reminding the individual to take the medication, opening bottle caps, reading the medication label to the individual, observing the individual taking medications, checking the self-administered dosage against the label of the container and reassuring the individual that they have obtained and are taking the correct dosage).

Necessary medical services available in the homes of people who are aged, ill or convalescing.

Assistance in the form of consultation, labor and/or supplies for people want to build an accessible home or need to upgrade their homes to make them attractive, safe, accessible and energy-efficient.

Itinerant instructional services for students who are unable to leave their homes to attend regular special day classes because of noncontagious medical conditions, physical disabilities and/or emotional problems. Teleclasses, which utilize special conference-type telephone equipment to provide instruction in all subjects, may be provided for these pupils.

Consultations that identify physical barriers or other problems in the home and recommend suitable adaptations to improve accessibility. In some cases, staff are available to consult with architects and contractors during the planning and construction phases of a home modification project.

Skilled nursing care under the guidance and supervision of a physician in the homes of recently discharged hospital patients and other people who need continuous nursing care but are not in an acute phase of their illness.

Programs that provide cash assistance for people who need to make essential repairs to their homes in order to eliminate health or safety hazards or improve their security. Most grant programs cover major repairs, system upgrades and replacements (e.g., plumbing, heating or electrical systems) but not minor repairs. Age, income, disability or other eligibility requirements may apply.

Loans for income-eligible people who want to repair or modify their homes or mobile homes to make them energy-efficient, attractive, safe and free of health hazards; or which help eligible individuals find loans for this purpose. Most loan programs cover major repairs, system upgrades and replacements (e.g., plumbing, heating or electrical systems) but not minor repairs. Included are conventional home rehabilitation loans, deferred loans (in which payments are deferred until the home is sold) and forgivable loans (in which all or a part of the loan is forgiven if the borrower resides in the home for a specified period of time). The forgiven part of a forgivable loan amounts to a contingent grant. If the borrower sells the home prior to the specified time period, all or part of the loan is due. A common variation is to have portions of the loan forgiven gradually over a period of years.

Programs that provide assistance for people who need to make essential repairs to their homes in order to eliminate health or safety hazards or improve their security. Most home rehabilitation programs cover major repairs, system upgrades and replacements (e.g., plumbing, heating or electrical systems) but not minor repairs.

Lists of organizations that provide home rehabilitation services and make copies available to people upon request.

Assistance in the form of labor and supplies for people who need to make major repairs to their homes or upgrade/replace entire systems to eliminate health and safety hazards (such as gas leaks, outdated or hazardous electrical wiring and plumbing) or to improve their security e.g., by installing fences or fixing/replacing broken doors or windows. Typical services include major roofing repair and/or replacement; electrical and plumbing upgrades or repairs; septic system improvements; heating and air conditioning system repairs; flooring, tile or wall repairs; and interior and exterior painting that is part of the home rehabilitation process. Most programs do not handle minor repairs. Age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements may apply.

Rehabilitation oriented fitness programs that develop therapeutic exercise routines that people with acute or chronic health conditions such as arthritis, congestive heart failure, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, physical disabilities or other problems can do at home.

The Home-Based Crisis Intervention Program is a clinically oriented program with support services by a MSW or Psychiatric Consultant which assists families with children in crisis by providing an alternative to hospitalization. Families are helped through crisis with intense interventions and the teaching of new effective parenting skills. The overall goal of the program is to provide short-term, intensive in-home crisis intervention services to a family in crisis due to the imminent risk of their child being admitted to a psychiatric hospital. The target population for the HBCI Program is families with a child or adolescent ages 5 to 17 years of age, who are experiencing a psychiatric crisis so severe that unless immediate, effective intervention is provided, the child will be removed from the home and admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Families referred to the program are expected to come from psychiatric emergency services.

State Medicaid programs operating under a waiver that permits them to utilize Medicaid funds, normally available only to pay for care in a skilled nursing, intermediate care or other long-term care facility, to provide case management and home care services for eligible individuals as a means of avoiding premature institutionalization. Individuals must be Medicaid eligible, must be certified or certifiable for long-term care, and must meet other criteria as specified in the state waiver, e.g., age and disability requirements. States are allowed to make waiver services available to people at risk of institutionalization, without being required to make waiver services available to the Medicaid population at large. States use this authority to target services to particular groups, such as elderly individuals, technology-dependent children, seriously emotionally disturbed children, or persons with intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities; or on the basis of disease or condition, such as AIDS. Covered services depend on the population(s) covered in the waiver. Those for older adults and adults with disabilities, for example, include but are not limited to case/care management, homemaker services, home health aides, personal care, adult day health care, habilitation and respite care. Services for children may also include wraparound facilitation/community support, independent living/skill building services and parent support and training. Every state has its own set of waiver programs that are unique.

Programs for individuals with developmental disabilities that focus on enabling the individual to attain his or her maximum functional level and which may serve to reinforce skills or lessons taught in school, therapy or other settings. Services may be provided in the individual’s home or outside the home in community-based settings.

The purchase of case management and other home and community based services as a means of helping people avoid premature institutionalization. Funding is usually through state and local resources, but may also include some federal dollars. The programs typically provide case management and, unless other funding sources are available, provide funding for and link program participants to existing home and community based services, home modification programs, assistive technology equipment, assisted living facilities or other supported housing options, and/or other needed services. Individuals must meet certain eligibility criteria as specified by the program and usually must have documentation from a physician stating that they are at risk for institutionalization.

Individuals who have chronic illnesses or disabilities or are frail elderly, who are unable to take care of their own daily living needs independently and who require one or a a combination of ongoing in-home or out-of-home care supportive arrangements which may include care in their own homes by relatives or other caregivers; care in their own homes combined with participation in an adult day care or similar program; residence in an assisted living facility, adult foster home, continuing care retirement community, life care community, senior residential care home or other supervised living facility; case management; advocacy to assure their safety and rights; and/or other forms of basic assistance.

Individuals are unable to leave their homes because of illness, disability or frailty.

Programs that provide comprehensive assessment, ongoing case management, work readiness, job training, job development, job placement services, post-placement follow-up and/or supportive services that are tailored to the specific needs of homeless individuals who need assistance preparing for, finding and retaining paid employment. Many programs specifically target outreach and enrollment efforts on homeless individuals or specific groups within the homeless population (e.g., homeless veterans, homeless youth, homeless individuals with serious mental illness, permanent supportive housing residents); and some partner with other organizations working with people who are homeless such as local mental health agencies; the administrative agency for the local Workforce Investment Board; one-stop career centers; community-based nonprofit vocational rehabilitation agencies; case management organizations; housing agencies; and the local public housing authority.

Services that help people who are homeless because they have become estranged from their families establish contact with their families. The program may also, where appropriate, help them negotiate the conditions under which they can return to their families and arrange for transportation home.

Affordable, community-based housing for individuals and families who have experienced long-term or chronic homelessness and have been diagnosed as having a physical or developmental disability, a severe mental illness, substance abuse problems or HIV/AIDS; or are members of another designated group within the homeless population. Structures may include apartments, single-family houses, duplexes, group homes or single-room occupancy housing. Permanent supportive housing programs generally provide residents with the rights of tenancy under state or local landlord/tenant laws and are linked to services designed to meet residents’ needs. Supportive services vary depending on the resident population. Most programs offer some type of case management and housing support, but may also offer more intensive mental health, substance abuse, vocational, employment or other services which help promote independent living. Supportive services may be offered on-site or off-site, or be provided by a mobile service team.

A temporary place to stay (usually three days to two weeks), generally in dormitory-style facilities with very little privacy, for people who have no permanent housing.

Transportation services for homeless people from the streets to a local shelter with available space, either from a established pick-up site or by appointment from the individual’s current location. Also included are programs that provide transportation between shelters or to and from medical clinics, detoxification facilities, public assistance offices and other local service providers.

A formal program of primary and secondary education that is provided by parents who are licensed to teach their children in the home. Licensing is not required in all jurisdictions. However, it is generally mandatory for parents to closely follow the approved study outlines and home schooled children are tested according to the guidelines prevailing within the local public school system.

Licensing requires meeting the operating standards for parents who want to provide an in-home program of primary and secondary instruction for their children. Licensing is not required in all jurisdictions.

Mutual support groups whose members are parents who are homeschooling their children and have needs and interests in common based on their experiences as home-based educators. The groups may meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet for the purpose of networking, sharing resources and energy, providing opportunities for socialization and co-teaching. Some groups are built around a common focus, such as the type of homeschooling approach used or the religion of the members while others are general support groups open to homeschooling families of all types.

Programs that provide information about different approaches families can take to home-based education; homeschooling curriculum materials; consultation regarding learning styles, monitoring and assessing students and other aspects of teaching; academic help; tutorial services, as needed; and other forms of support for parents who are homeschooling their children. Included are school districts that support homeschooling by providing parents with curriculum, textbooks and even a space to meet with other homeschool students. Some schools also allow homeschool students to enroll part time. These students can study core subjects at home, and then enroll in elective classes at a nearby public, private or charter school. There may also be options for homeschool students to participate in sports or other extracurricular activities.

Programs that answer specific questions regarding grammar, mathematics or other areas of study or help students with homework assignments. Included are telephone hotlines, online assistance and in-person programs offered by the school following regularly scheduled classes or by community centers, libraries or other similar types of organizations.

Programs that offer a form of therapy which enables individuals with mental, physical or developmental disabilities, substance abuse disorders, chronic health conditions or other problems to achieve self-expression and emotional release through gardening.

Organizations whose members are inpatient health care facilities that have affiliated for the purpose of promoting mutual interests and improving the quality, accessibility, affordability and continuity of health care services through a program of advocacy, education, research, information and leadership. Hospital associations promote activities that improve community health status; promote coordination and collaboration among members; seek to influence state and national health care policy through active lobbying at state and federal levels; promote public understanding of health care issues; provide opportunities for ongoing professional development of staff through conferences and learned journals; prepare members for changes in health care financing and help members become effective advocates for their institutions and profession.

Offices in hospitals and other health care institutions (including HMOs) whose staff handle complaints from patients regarding the inpatient, outpatient or home health care they are receiving. These offices work within the system to help patients achieve satisfaction as an alternative to filing a complaint with licensing authorities or consumer action agencies, requesting the services of outside advocates or seeking legal advice from attorneys who specialize in the health care field.

Programs that provide classroom or tutorial instruction for hospitalized students who are unable to attend regular special day classes because of noncontagious medical conditions, physical disabilities and/or emotional problems.

Programs that offer the services of individuals who sit with people who are hospitalized or in another institutional setting in situations where the patients are determined to be at risk to themselves or their treatment because they are agitated, delirious or confused, unsteady on their feet or on suicide watch. Hospital sitters (also called “patient observers”) work under the direct supervision of nursing staff and call for assistance if problems arise (e.g., the patient attempts to remove an IV line or get out of bed) or medical assistance is required. While in most cases sitters are supplied by the hospital or other institution in which an individual is a patient, some home health care agencies provide personnel that family members can hire to serve as an extra pair of eyes and ears to prevent errors and injuries or to function as a companion if they don’t want a loved one to be alone.

Programs that provide financial assistance to enable eligible individuals and families to purchase essential services that will allow them to remain safely and independently in their homes or to care for their children while they are working or participating in job training programs.

Organizations that advocate for constructing, renovating or otherwise improving the availability of safe, affordable rental and purchasable housing for low-income individuals and families, older adults, people with disabilities, migrant workers and others who are unable to purchase a home or rent a home or apartment under current market conditions or who are forced to spend an excessively large proportion of their income on housing to the detriment of other necessities.

City, county, or state housing offices that provide information about eligibility for and vacancies in the subsidized housing properties that are under their jurisdiction. Housing authorities accept Section 8 applications, provide Section 8 vouchers, make approved Section 8 rental payments and administer public housing communities while in certain rural areas, the housing finance agency may play this role.

The housing choice voucher program is the federal government’s major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments. The participant is free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program and is not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects. Housing choice vouchers are administered locally by public housing agencies(PHAs). The PHAs receive federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the voucher program.

A family that is issued a housing voucher is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit of the family’s choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program. This unit may include the family’s present residence. Rental units must meet minimum standards of health and safety, as determined by the PHA.

A housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by the PHA on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program. Under certain circumstances, if authorized by the PHA, a family may use its voucher to purchase a modest home.

Comprehensive assistance for people who want to rent or purchase housing including information and guidance about buying and rental costs; how to select affordable housing that meets individual needs; and how to provide for insurance, maintenance and other requirements related to acquiring and paying for housing.

Special courts that are available in some states to resolve landlord tenant disputes including eviction (unlawful detainer) actions; requests for help by tenants to force the building owner or landlord to make repairs, correct building violations or protect tenant privacy; rent escrow actions by tenants who deposit rent with the court to bring a claim against a landlord who refuses to make repairs or comply with terms of a lease; counterclaims for rent escrow actions; requests by tenants for assistance when a building owner refuses to provide heat, electricity, water or other essential services; and requests from tenants for help in situations where they have been locked out of their homes. Landlord/tenant mediation services are available through some courts. In some jurisdictions, housing courts also hear actions that relate broadly to residential housing such as those involving zoning or general nuisance problems that may affect homeowners within a neighborhood.

Assistance for people who believe that they have been denied an opportunity to purchase, lease or rent the home or apartment of their choice due to their age, gender, family composition, race or ethnic origin, nationality, religion, disability, sexual orientation or marital status.

Assistance to pay current housing bills or finance new living accommodations for people who are otherwise unable to provide for their housing needs. Housing expense assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.

Temporary shelter for people who are in emergency situations, home improvement programs, housing location assistance and a variety of housing alternatives.

Real estate organizations that contract with HUD to manage HUD rental property. Responsibilities include screening of applicants; rental, maintenance and upkeep of the apartment units; and enforcement of rental agreements.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Following initial infection, a person may experience a brief period of influenza-like illness. This is typically followed by a prolonged period without symptoms. As the infection progresses, it interferes more and more with the immune system, making the person much more susceptible to common infections like tuberculosis, as well as opportunistic infections and tumors that do not usually affect people who have working immune systems. The late symptoms of the infection are referred to as AIDS. This stage is often complicated by an infection of the lung known as pneumocystis pneumonia, severe weight loss, a type of cancer known as Kaposi’s sarcoma, or other AIDS-defining conditions.

Organizations that work for legislation and other social measures that will more effectively protect the rights of the community as a whole or those of specific groups within the community.

A disorder that is characterized by severe emotional distress on the part of children or adolescents regarding their inability to reconcile aspects of the self into a relatively coherent and acceptable sense of self. Affected individuals demonstrate uncertainty about a variety of issues which relate to identity including long-term goals, career choice, friendship patterns, sexual orientation and behavior, religious identification, moral values and group loyalties, which results in impaired social and occupational (including academic) functioning.

Waivers of the tested U.S. civics, English language competence and meaningful oath requirements for naturalization. These waivers are completed by physicians, psychologists or other medical personnel who are required to attest to the applicant’s inability to learn, demonstrate or express their understanding, or perform a meaningful oath due to physical, developmental or mental disabilities.

Legal assistance for immigrants, nonimmigrant visa applicants, asylum seekers and lawful permanent residents who are seeking naturalization. Services are generally provided by nonprofit immigration law offices and may involve information and consultation about benefits under immigration law including procedures for obtaining student, visitor and employment-based visas; family immigration; asylee status; lawful permanent residence status; or citizenship.

Disorders that are characterized by the individual’s inability to resist an impulse, drive or temptation to engage in behavior that is harmful to the person or to others.

Programs that provide care and supervision for dependent adults in their own homes during some portion of a 24-hour day.

Assistance in performing routine household, yard and personal care activities for older adults, people with disabilities, eligible low income people, families whose normal routines have been disrupted by an emergency or others who need or want these services. The objective of in-home assistance is to help the recipient sustain independent living in a clean, safe and healthy home environment.

Programs that provide habilitation services whose goal is to help individuals with developmental disabilities who reside within the family home achieve maximum independence, integration, individualization and productivity in both home and community settings. Habilitation services include therapeutic activities, assistance, training, supervision and monitoring in the areas of self-care, sensory and motor development, interpersonal skills, communication, socialization, health care, leisure and recreation, money management, household chores and other self-help, socialization and adaptive skills necessary to reside successfully in the community.

Services of homemakers who prepare and serve meals in the homes of frail elderly individuals, people with a disability or others who are unable to prepare their own food or leave their homes to travel to a site where a congregate meal is being served.

A brief period of rest or relief for family members, guardians or others who are regular caregivers for children and/or dependent adults by offering temporary or intermittent care for the individual(s) in their own home.

County offices that accept applications and determine eligibility for the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program. Also included are other programs that help people prepare and file IHSS applications and/or are authorized to do eligibility determinations for the program.

A program administered by the county that provides financial assistance which enables people who are aged, blind or have a disability, are limited in their ability to care for themselves and cannot live safely at home without assistance to obtain homemakers or chore workers to help them in their homes. To be eligible, recipients must meet income and resource guidelines which in some states are tied to Supplemental Security Income (SSI/SSP) eligibility. People who receive SSI/SSP automatically meet the program’s financial need requirement. Those whose income is higher than the limits for SSI/SSP may still be eligible, but may be required to pay for part of the services they receive. In addition to the monthly income limits, there are also limits on the amount of resources a person can own and still receive these benefits. Resources include items such as savings, investments, and certain types of property and personal possessions. Eligibility requirements vary by state as do the types of services that can be authorized.

People who are aged, blind or have a disability and are receiving local, state or federal financial assistance to enable them to obtain homemakers or chore workers to help them in their homes.

Programs permitted by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that provide in-person assistance personnel (also known as non-navigator assistance personnel) to help people understand and access insurance coverage through the marketplace. In a state-based marketplace, in-person assistance personnel may serve as a part of an optional, transitional program that the state can set up before its marketplace is economically self sustaining, and before its navigator program is fully functional. Though they perform the same functions as navigators, in-person assistance personnel are funded through separate grants or contracts administered by a state. In person assistance personnel must also complete comprehensive training.

An opportunity for people who are emotionally distressed and/or for their significant others to meet face-to-face with someone who has been trained to assess and resolve the immediate crisis, if possible, and to link the person with appropriate resources for ongoing assistance.

Mediation services in which a neutral third party meets face-to-face with the parties to the dispute and helps them come to a resolution which is formalized in a written document that is signed by all parties.

Mutual support groups whose meetings take place in local community settings, usually on a weekly or monthly basis, enabling participants to have face-to-face contact with other people. In-person support groups generally have scheduled meeting times, closed membership and professional leadership; and may feature speakers and activities.

The Incident Reporting and Management System (IRAMS) is used by Health Homes, Care Management Agencies, Children’s Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Providers, and Children and Youth Evaluation Services (C-YES) to report critical incidents and complaints/grievances as appropriate for the various populations served to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of members. This system is replacing the current paper processes for Health Homes Serving Adults and Health Homes Serving Children.

Financial assistance that helps individuals who have a designated health condition or disability or who require a transplant pay for non-medical but related expenses which may include travel expenses to and from treatment, home and child care expenses, housing costs and/or related transplantation costs such as donor search, compatibility testing, bone marrow harvesting, unrelated stem cell procurement, and transportation and housing costs associated with the transplant.

Assistance that allows infants, toddlers, preschoolers, children and/or adolescents with disabilities to participate and succeed in preschools, general education classrooms, child development centers, child care programs, recreational programs and activities or other community-based settings with their nondisabled peers. Included may be consultation and training for staff, one-on-one work with the child, home visits, observation and feedback to staff and family, and other similar forms of support. Also included are college/university programs that provide inclusion support for their students with disabilities.

Preschools that are staffed by individuals who have expertise in designing and operating programs that blend the needs of children of all abilities, including children with disabilities. These programs offer specialized educational experiences and activities for children with disabilities who are integrated into their program as well as those that are appropriate for other children.

Helping people prepare for, find and sustain gainful employment; providing public assistance and support for those who are eligible; ensuring that retirees, older adults, people with disabilities and other eligible individuals receive the social insurance benefits to which they are entitled; and offering temporary financial assistance for people who are experiencing an unexpected financial crisis in situations where support related to their specific circumstances is unavailable

Individuals who have needs and interests in common based on similarities in their job situation and/or annual earned income.

Employment in which workers function as independent contractors, consultants, freelance workers or other similar arrangements.

An Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) of a child means a procedure, test or assessment done by a qualified examiner who does not work for the school district or another public agency responsible for the child’s education. A parent/guardian has various rights regarding an IEE. For example, a parent/guardian may get an IEE for their child at district expense if they disagree with the evaluation arranged for by the school district. “At district expense” means that the school district pays for the full cost of the test. The school district may ask, but not require, the parent/guardian to explain the reason for their objection to the district’s evaluation. The school district may not unreasonably delay either providing the IEE or initiating an impartial hearing to defend the district’s own evaluation. 

Assisting people who have disabilities to learn the basic skills of daily living through individual and group counseling and instruction, experience and practice in coping with real or simulated life situational demands; or through the use of assistive devices, special equipment and specialized assistants. Services include but are not limited to training in the ability to travel about the community alone; to live independently in a private residence; to maintain health through self-care and use of medical services; to live within personal income; to maintain acceptable grooming and appearance; to deal with legal, family or social problems; and to cope with other requirements for successful independent living.

Door-to-door (or curb-to-curb) transportation for purposes of shopping, medical or welfare appointments, recreational or social events, trips to and from the individual’s place of employment, or other similar activities for very low-income people who otherwise would have no means of transportation.

Advocacy that intercede on behalf of individuals to help them establish eligibility for or obtain needed services when they have been denied benefits or services for which they are eligible, when they need assistance to communicate their needs to a service provider or to otherwise effectively represent themselves, or when they have a complaint about a service. Individual advocacy attempts to reach equitable settlements without resorting to litigation and seeks to meet individual needs without attempting to change social institutions.

Services that promote the personal, social and spiritual development of people in the community by offering services that replace or supplement the care and support that is generally available through the family unit; providing for the humane care, protection and control of the pets and other domestic animals; and offering social, religious/spiritual and leisure-time activities that are personally satisfying and lead to optimal social functioning.

Services that provide alternative living arrangements for children who have no birth family or whose family environment is abusive; facilitate the settlement of new residents in the community; marshal community resources on behalf of disadvantaged residents during the holidays; or offer other services that augment and expand the protection, supervision, care and support that are provided through the primary family unit, or that enhance the recipient’s mobility or ability to communicate and live more comfortably.

Individualized Supports and Services (ISS) is a housing subsidy offered through NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and is calculated based on an individual’s income and NYS Housing and Community Renewal (HCR) payment standards.

The Individualized Education Program (IEP), is a written document that’s developed for each public school child who is eligible for special education. The IEP is created through a team effort and reviewed at least once a year.

A federal law called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that public schools create an IEP for every child receiving special education services. Children from age 3 through high school graduation or a maximum age of 22 (whichever comes first) may be eligible for an IEP.

The IEP is meant to address each child’s unique learning issues and include specific educational goals. It is a legally binding document. The school must provide everything it promises in the IEP.

IEP diploma is not a standards-based diploma and is not recognized in New York State as equivalent to a regular high school diploma.

Home instruction is a form of tutorial services provided to public or nonpublic students by the public school district of residence. These services are provided to students who are unable to attend their public or nonpublic school because of physical, mental, or emotional illness or injury. Parents requesting these services must comply with local board of education requirements to provide medical verification of the student’s inability to attend school for a time that exceeds the number of days required by the district (typically about 10 days). An Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) must include, for each of the required courses, either a syllabus (course outline or summary of topics to be covered), curriculum materials and textbooks to be used or a plan of instruction to be followed. A different alternative may be used for different subjects. The district may request additional information (for example, beyond the list of textbooks) to facilitate their review of the plan. The purpose of such review is not to compare the texts with those employed by the district, but rather to insure that the parent is providing the mandated subjects for the grade level in question and to provide the district with more complete information to assist its review of quarterly reports and annual assessments of the student’s progress in relation to the IHIP.

The Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) is a written plan specifying how a person with disabilities will pursue, and be assisted to reach, an agreed-upon work goal. It is the roadmap to a person’s vocational rehabilitation. A person may have an IPE if s/he has been found eligible for services from the State Education Department’s Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR), and s/he wants to work. The following information is required for the IPE:

• Work Goal: This should be a job that the person is interested in doing and that s/he will be able to do when his/her plan is completed. It will take into account such things as his/her abilities, interest and work goal. The ACCES-VR counselor can help the person to look for a work goal that is right for him/her.
  
  
• Steps: Actions needed to reach the work goal and how long it will take the person to complete them.
  
  
• Progress: Outline of how progress towards the work goal will be evaluated.
  
  
• Services: List of services that the person will require to reach the work goal.
  
  
• Provider: Who will provide the services the person needs to go to work.

Preventive, diagnostic and treatment services that focus on strengthening the social and emotional development and well-being of infants and young children within the context of early primary relationships. Services may include emotional support, developmental guidance, early relationship assessment and support, infant-parent psychotherapy and advocacy. The objectives of the discipline are to help infants and young children develop close and secure relationships with others; experience, express and regulate a full range of both positive and negative emotions; and actively explore the environment and learn.

Very young children, generally from birth to 12 months of age, (birth to 18 months in the context of some programs).

Very young children from birth to age three.

Family members, friends, neighbors and others who assume responsibility for attending to the daily needs of individuals who are temporarily or permanently unable to care for themselves due to general frailty; illnesses, injuries or progressively debilitating conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or mental illness; or other incapacitating problems without compensation. Through some programs, family or friends who provide care on an informal basis may be paid to fulfill their caregiver role.

Information about human service resources in the community and to link people who need assistance with appropriate service providers and/or to supply descriptive information about the agencies or organizations which offer services. The information and referral process involves establishing contact with the individual, assessing the individual’s long and short-term needs, identifying resources to meet those needs, providing a referral to identified resources, and, where appropriate, following up to ensure that the individual’s needs have been met.

Information about specific topics or problems which requires wide dissemination. Included are specialized information centers and organizations that provide reference assistance for the public regarding a wide variety of general and technical areas. The centers generally offer copies or reprints or allow people to come to the facility to do research but usually do not provide telephone information or refer people to specific resources.

Provide live or recorded information about a particular topic or service that interested individuals can access by telephone.

Collection, classification, storage, retrieval and dissemination of recorded knowledge for the community. Included are electronic information resources, information and referral programs, information lines, library services, media services, public awareness/education campaigns, research data and rumor control activities.

Individuals whose health or personal, social or occupational functioning is at risk of impairment through their abuse of substances whose fumes produce a euphoric effect when inhaled. Principal negative side effects of inhalants include extreme mental confusion, lack of coordination, brain, liver and kidney damage and the risk of death from respiratory collapse with an overdose. Also called deliriants or solvents, abusable inhalants include benzine, toluene, xylene and a wide variety of commercial products commonly found in the home including glue, fingernail polish or remover, lighter fluid, gasoline and aerosol sprays.

Individuals whose abuse of drugs involves the use of needles to intravenously inject their substance of choice.

Record of an inmate’s activities while incarcerated in a correctional facility including academic classes, vocational training, ESL courses and library activities.

Inmate support services provide emotional support and friendship (through correspondence or other mechanisms) for individuals who are incarcerated in a correctional facility; facilitate continued contact between inmates and family members, friends and significant others; work to vindicate and free from prison, inmates who claim to be innocent of the crimes for which they have been convicted and sentenced; and/or ensure that inmates receive the services and support they need to solve problems arising from their incarceration and/or prepare for their release.

Health care facilities that provide short-term (usually one to four week) structured inpatient treatment programs which may include medical evaluation and treatment, detoxification, personal recovery planning, individual and group therapy, alcohol education, 12-step or other mutual support groups, recreational and social activities and family support for individuals who abuse alcohol. Outpatient counseling and continuing care services are usually available on an ongoing basis following discharge. Included are hospitals that are totally devoted to treatment for alcoholism and alcoholism programs within general inpatient health care facilities.

Health care facilities that provide long or short-term (usually three week to nine month) inpatient treatment programs which may include medical evaluation and treatment, detoxification, personal recovery planning, individual and group therapy, 12-step meetings, recreational and social activities and family support for individuals who abuse drugs. Outpatient counseling and continuing care services are usually available on an ongoing basis following discharge. Included are hospitals that are totally devoted to treatment for drug dependency and drug dependency recovery programs that are within general inpatient health care facilities.

Detoxification for individuals who are physically dependent on one or a combination of substances during the withdrawal period. Inpatient detoxification is required when the withdrawal process is potentially dangerous or when the individual has acute medical problems.

Treatment under the supervision of trained physicians, nurses or counselors in an inpatient hospital setting or other inpatient facility that provide assistance and support including medical treatment and possibly prescription drugs to help individuals who are physically dependent on alcohol during the withdrawal period.

Hospital-based diagnostic and treatment services for individuals who have acute psychiatric disorders, who require hospitalization on a voluntary or involuntary basis for maximum benefit, and who might be a threat to themselves, to their families or to others if left in the community or placed in a less restrictive treatment setting. The objective of inpatient mental health programs is to stabilize and then return the individual to the community for ongoing treatment as quickly as possible, and to facilitate the transition by preparing the individual’s family to cope with the limitations imposed by the illness and by arranging for other supportive services as required. Included are psychiatric hospitals, health care hospitals that have psychiatric units and state hospitals for people who are mentally disordered.

Health care facilities that provide structured treatment programs and support services in the context of a 24-hour, supervised environment for individuals who have problems related to substance abuse. Included are hospitals that are totally devoted to treatment for chemical dependency and chemical dependency recovery programs that are within general inpatient health care facilities.

Materials that teachers and others in similar roles can use in the classroom to enhance the learning experience for children.

Organizations that offer any of a wide variety of materials that teachers and others in similar roles can use in the classroom to enhance the learning experience for children. Some vendors may focus on materials for use in specific educational settings, e.g., classes for children with disabilities, non-English speaking students or children who are being schooled at home.

Support for school personnel in the form of training workshops, study groups, demonstration lessons, mentoring, modeling of instruction, coaching and other similar types of assistance with the objective of enhancing the quality of teaching and improving learning outcomes. Included are technical assistance on the development, delivery and assessment of programs in specific content areas; information about best practices and current research; curriculum resources; instructional materials; assistance in analyzing student performance data; support in using technology tools to extend and support student learning; and other similar services.

A way of treating individuals with mental illness and substance use disorder. IDDT provides individualized coordinated treatment and rehabilitation of both disorders in one setting and by one team of clinicians. Studies have shown this method of dual intervention leads to better patient outcomes than non-integrated interventions in substance abuse, psychiatric symptoms, housing, hospitalization, arrests, functional status and quality of life.

The care that results from a practice team of primary care and behavioral health clinicians, working together with patients and families, using a systematic and cost-effective approach to provide patient-centered care for a defined population. This care may address mental health and substance abuse conditions, health behaviors (including their contribution to chronic medical illnesses), life stressors and crises, stress-related physical symptoms, and ineffective patterns of health care utilization.

Intellectual disability disorders are characterized by a limited mental capacity and difficulty with adaptive behaviors. Developmental disability refers to severe long-term disability that affects cognitive ability and/or physical functioning. The latter encompasses the former but also includes physical disabilities and manifests by age 22.

A condition in which individuals exhibit a range of sub-average intellectual functioning concurrently with adaptive behavior deficits which are manifested during the developmental period and which adversely affect educational performance. (Adaptive behavior is measured by the effectiveness with which or the degree to which the individual is able to meet the standards of personal independence and social responsibility that are expected for the person’s age and cultural group).

Tests which consist of standardized questions and tasks that are designed to measure the developmental age of participants or their relative ability to absorb information and solve problems.

A case manager addresses the other social determinants of health and assists patients with things like housing, domestic violence, food assistance, etc. The Case Management Society of America defines case management as “a collaborative process of assessment, planning, facilitation and advocacy for options and services to meet an individual’s health needs through communication and available resources to promote quality cost-effective outcomes”.

Services that identify families with children in foster placement whose prospects for successful reunification are good, provide the array of supportive services needed by the family to attempt reunification, supervise visitation in the home by the child, oversee trial placement with the family and provide whatever home-based services are required to facilitate permanent reunification. Services may include mental health and substance abuse counseling, home management instruction, parenting skills development, stress management and tutoring.

An intensive psychiatric rehabilitation treatment program is time-limited, with active psychiatric rehabilitation designed to assist a patient in forming and achieving mutually agreed upon goals in living, learning, working and social environments; to intervene with psychiatric rehabilitation technologies, to overcome functional disabilities and to improve environmental supports. An intensive psychiatric rehabilitation treatment program shall provide the following services: psychiatric rehabilitation readiness determination, psychiatric rehabilitation goal setting, psychiatric rehabilitation functional and resource assessment, psychiatric rehabilitation service planning, psychiatric rehabilitation skills and resource development and discharge planning.

A student with a disability may be removed by school officials to an Interim Alternative Educational Setting (IAES) for up to 45 calendar days if the student: carries or possesses a weapon to or at school, on school premises, or to or at a school function; or knowingly possesses or uses illegal drugs; or sells or solicits the sale of a controlled substance while at school or a school function. An IAES is a setting that must: 

• be selected to enable the student to:
  • continue to progress in the general curriculum; and
  • continue to receive those services and modifications, including those described in the student’s current Individualized Education Program (IEP), that will enable the student to meet the IEP goals; and
    
    
• include services and modifications to address the behavior that is subject to disciplinary action. These services and modifications must be designed to prevent the behavior from recurring.

State or county offices that provide cash or vendor payments to help meet an individual’s basic needs while their application for SSI or appeal of SSA’s eligibility determination is pending. Interim assistance payments may also be made to or on behalf of people whose SSI benefits were suspended or terminated and later found eligible for payment. Upon approval of SSI benefits, the Social Security Administration reimburses the state/county for the total amount that the client received in benefits from the program. The remainder of the SSI back pay is paid directly to the client.

Supportive services such as counseling, food and clothing for people, often women or other vulnerable individuals, who are awaiting a space in a drug or alcohol abuse treatment program, with the objective of helping them maintain a commitment to seeking treatment.

Residential health care facilities that provide developmental services including training and support in life skills such as mobility, socialization, employment and recreation as well as skilled nursing services for children and adults with developmental disabilities (or a developmental disability and one or more secondary impairments) who require a level of medical care, support and supervision not available in group homes or other community care settings or through supported living arrangements, but who do not need full-time intensive medical care or support. Included are Intermediate Care Facilities/DD for people who have a primary need for developmental services and a recurring but intermittent need for skilled nursing services; Intermediate Care Facilities/DD-Habilitative for people who have a primary need for developmental services and an ongoing, predictable but intermittent need for skilled nursing services; and Intermediate Care Facilities/DD-Nursing for people who have a primary need for developmental services and a continuous need for skilled nursing services to monitor medication or medical conditions. These facilities are licensed by the state which also certifies that federal guidelines have been met.

Programs that are designed to assist individuals residing in intermediate care facilities for people with developmental disabilities (ICF/DD) to return to the community to live in a less restrictive setting. ICF/DD facilities are institutions that furnish health and rehabilitative services to people with developmental disabilities or related conditions in a protected, residential setting. Some transition programs are funded using Medicaid and therefore require that eligible participants be Medicaid recipients. Other programs have been created using state or local funds. The programs typically provide case management and, unless other funding sources are available, provide funding for and link program participants to existing home and community based services, home modification programs, assistive technology equipment, assisted living facilities or other supported housing options and/or other needed services.

Educational institutions that provide formal instruction for students in the fourth, fifth, or sixth grades (and in some cases, seventh and eighth grades) which places emphasis on a gradual exposure to a broad curriculum including history, geography, social studies, basic general science, literature, art, music, creative writing, physical education and possibly languages.

A disorder that is characterized by several discrete episodes in which the individual loses control of the aggressive impulse resulting in serious assault or destruction of property. The degree of aggressiveness is generally grossly out of proportion to any precipitating psychological stressor and the individual shows no signs of aggressiveness or impulsivity between episodes.

Individuals who are having difficulty controlling their compulsion to spend time on the Internet.

Intervention that provide an opportunity for people who are emotionally distressed to have one-on-one Internet chat room sessions with people who are trained in supportive listening and crisis intervention. The objectives of the sessions are to defuse the immediate crisis, ensure the person’s safety, and assist the person to take the next immediate steps toward resolving the problem.

Pharmacies that issue prescriptions and/or allow people to order prescription medication online.

Mutual support groups that schedule virtual “meetings” via the Internet. Included are e-mail listserv groups (which distribute posted messages to participants via e-mail), bulletin/message boards (whose postings are restricted to people who register), newsgroups (whose postings are unrestricted and open) and chat groups (which permit real time discussion) that are devoted to providing support for participants around a particular issue. Internet support groups are generally available around the clock; and are convenient for people with limited mobility, serious health issues or transportation problems, who don’t have time for face-to-face meetings, or who simply wish to maintain their privacy and remain anonymous. They may be the only option for individuals with rare disorders or other unusual problems who are unlikely to find enough people in their local area to form a support group. Internet support groups may be monitored by professionals, but most are not.

Programs that provide opportunities for advanced students, recent graduates or candidates for licensure in a professional field to gain practical or clinical experience in their chosen career prior to seeking gainful employment or practicing their profession. In some fields such as social work and marriage and family counseling, internships are requirements for licensure.

Services that enable individuals who have visual or hearing impairments, who speak, read or write a language other than English and/or who require documents that have been translated into plain language to access information or communicate their needs manually, verbally and/or in writing; or to have improved access to entertainment, educational or artistic events or facilities that feature important visual or audio content.

Organizations whose members are language interpreters or translators or sign language interpreters or transliterators for the deaf, students and instructors who have affiliated for the purpose of advancing their profession, promoting mutual interests, attending professional conferences, networking with their peers and taking advantage of other opportunities for continuing professional development. These associations may target medical interpreters, conference interpreters, judicial (court) interpreters, interpreters for the deaf (visual interpreters), translators or other specialties or may be open to professionals in the field; and may develop standards including a code of ethics for the field, offer certification programs, provide training in best practices and publish directories of members.

Intervention that provides a mechanism for mobile emergency response in situations where an individual’s mental or emotional condition results in behavior which constitutes an imminent danger to him or herself or to another and the person is unwilling to seek voluntary treatment. The program conducts an immediate assessment of the psychological condition and functioning of the individual and can issue an order which authorizes involuntary hospitalization for a specified period of time for the purposes of observation and treatment. A request for intervention can be made by family members, community residents and/or community agencies.

A form of advocacy that focuses on marshaling public and legislative support for a particular social or political goal.

Services that employ special education teachers, resource specialists or consultants who provide special instruction for students in different schools for limited periods of time and who work with a student’s regular or special classroom teacher to develop interventions which meet the student’s individual needs. Itinerant services may include instruction, counseling and other psychological services, and specialized therapies or other interventions (e.g., speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and vision/mobility services).

Diversion for individuals with serious mental illness (and often co-occurring substance abuse disorders) in contact with the justice system from jail and provide linkages to community-based treatment and support services. Included are diversion programs that occur at the point of contact with law enforcement before formal charges have been filed, and programs that divert offenders with mental illness after they have been charged and are awaiting trial. Most programs are characterized by special training for police officers and the availability of a 24-hour crisis drop-off center with a no refusal policy that is available to receive persons brought in by the police. The objectives of the programs are to reduce the amount of time these individuals spend in jail and/or lockups on the current charge and to ensure that they are linked with an appropriate array of community-based treatment and support services.

Job banks maintain lists of current employment opportunities submitted by employers and which are available for review by people who are searching for a position. Included are programs that post job notices on bulletin boards which are available to the public as well as those that maintain computerized or other listings.

Support groups for job seekers which provide opportunities for participants to discuss job readiness skills, resume writing and interview techniques; engage in role plays of job interviews; share information about current employment opportunities relevant to the skills and interests of the group; and discuss and resolve specific barriers to employment that individual members are encountering. The objective of job clubs is to help individual members find employment more quickly and possibly at higher salaries than they could have obtained on their own through a structured support system and a systematic approach to job seeking.

A nationwide, government-subsidized youth training program that provides remedial education, vocational training and useful work experience including on-the-job training for low and moderate-income, disadvantaged youth who have poor job skills.

Seeking out and creating employment opportunities in various fields for people who need work. Activities may include collecting and distributing information about job opportunities and/or prospective changes in the demand for specific occupations, encouraging potential employers to create jobs, informing employers of available personnel and other comprehensive or targeted efforts to generate new job prospects.

Events where representatives from a broad range of employers share information about career options in their particular industry or field, qualifications for specific jobs, training opportunities in specific areas and positions that are currently available with the objective of helping job seekers evaluate career choices and identify and apply for specific job openings. Also included are job fairs that target job brokers.

Helping people identify and secure paid employment opportunities that match their aptitude, qualifications, experience and interests.

Lists of available employment opportunities that people who are searching for a position can access.

Taped information regarding employment opportunities that job seekers can access by telephone.

Individual or group training for people who want to learn to be effective in job interview situations.

Individual or group training for people who want to learn the behaviors and techniques that are required for job retention. The training addresses regular attendance, punctuality, appropriate dress, adapting to supervision, employee rights and responsibilities and other similar topics. Included are job readiness programs for people who are seeking employment and postemployment programs that help people keep their job.

Facilities that provide space for people who are looking for work. Amenities may include computers, resume writing software programs, printers, fax machines, telephones, and email addresses and voicemail/message taking services to ensure that prospective employers are able to contact job seekers.

Individual or group training for people who want to learn general strategies or specific techniques for looking for work which may include use of newspapers and Internet listings to identify job opportunities, networking strategies utilizing friends and professional acquaintances and use of professional organizations, executive search firms, employment agencies and community organizations that post job vacancies or provide job search/placement services.

Programs that maintain listings of available employment opportunities and assign a staff member to help people who are searching for a position to choose and obtain the most suitable option.

Gainful employment opportunities for people who are homebound, unskilled, or unavailable for full-time, permanent work; who have disabilities; or who otherwise require special employment conditions. Included are programs that assist people to obtain employment that meets their special needs as well as those that provide the employment opportunities directly.

Financial assistance or loans to help people pay for tuition, books, living expenses, transportation, disability supports, assistance in caring for dependents and/or other costs associated with acquiring skills training.

Apprenticeships, training through business practice firms, classroom training, internships, on-the-job training, work experience or other formats for training that prepares people for specific types of employment. The training may feature formal instruction in an institutional classroom setting, hands-on experience at a job site under varying arrangements or a combination of the two as the means by which trainees acquire the skills required to perform the job.

Lists of organizations that provide job training resources.

Internet websites that provide information about employment opportunities for job seekers. Some sites may also include general employment and training information, career assessment quizzes, job search tips and other useful information.

Advocacy for policy change through the legal system, either by lawsuits, friend of the court briefs, or providing information for legal cases.

The Justice Center’s Information & Referral (I&R) Unit responds to inquiries regarding disability-related issues and connects individuals to the appropriate program, service or technical assistance.  The I&R hotline is available toll-free Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. at 1-800-624-4143 or by e-mail at: infoassistance@justicecenter.ny.gov.

State courts that have jurisdiction over minors who have been charged with an offense that would be considered criminal if committed by an adult, who have committed status offenses or traffic violations, or who have been neglected or physically or sexually abused.

Programs that offer a variety of activities for youth who are at risk for behavior which is likely to involve them in the juvenile justice system with the objective of assisting them to improve self-esteem, to become aware of alternative ways of dealing with feelings and leisure time, and to take responsibility for the consequences of their actions. Included may be counseling, rap and discussion groups, tutoring, companionship programs, alternative peer group experiences and supervised recreational activities.

Programs that focus on juvenile delinquency prevention rather than replicating a specific approach such as Midnight Basketball that was developed elsewhere and has wide name recognition. These programs generally include education, recreation and community involvement activities in a variety of combinations but have as common objectives reducing known risk factors for delinquent behavior and giving young people more attractive alternatives.

Facilities that provide for the secure detention of minors who have been arrested for violating a federal or state law or a municipal or local ordinance pending a court hearing or release; and/or which provide for the confinement, treatment, employment, training and discipline of juveniles convicted of a criminal offense and sentenced by Youth or Juvenile Court to serve a period of time in a juvenile detention facility which may include juvenile hall, juvenile probation camp or a state reformatory site.

Community-based programs that provide comprehensive social services for individuals younger than age 18 who have committed a minor offense and are directed to participate in a diversion program as an alternative to arrest, prosecution or, in some cases, sentencing for the offense. Most juvenile diversion programs do an assessment of the individual’s needs and provide and/or coordinate the delivery of the necessary services which may include individual, group or family counseling, substance abuse counseling, supervised recreational activities, vocational guidance, tutorial services and supplemental referrals for other needs.

State courts that are responsible for hearing cases which involve minors who have been charged with a criminal offense or who habitually refuse to obey reasonable and proper directions of their parents, guardians or custodians or school authorities, or who are habitually truant.

Formal supervision of young persons who have been released from a juvenile correctional facility to a home placement or its substitute after serving part of the term for which they were sentenced based on the judgment that there is a reasonable probability that they will live and remain at liberty without violating the law. Juveniles who are on parole remain in the legal custody of the state and may be reincarcerated if they violate the terms of their parole order.

Court-ordered supervision and support for adolescents who have been convicted of an offense and released into the community under the supervision of a probation officer, usually in lieu of incarceration. The individual must agree to standards of conduct specified by the court for a set amount of time, usually for one year. Violations of the agreement subject the individual to revocation of his or her liberty.

Educational institutions that provide foundation-level learning experiences in a formal school setting to prepare children age four to five for admission to the graded system of learning. Activities usually include an introduction to the alphabet; learning basic numbers; comprehending and distinguishing between different forms and shapes; memory training; physical coordination; basic music, art, drama and dance as aids to learning through enjoyment; simple science projects; nature study and storytelling.

Evaluating muscle strength and endurance, functional mobility, neuromuscular coordination, flexibility, joint range of motion, cardiovascular fitness and reaction time and oversee, under the direction of a physician, a program of therapeutic exercise and education designed to improve the quality of life, health, fitness and independence of medically-stable individuals in wellness, sub-acute, extended care or home settings.

Adoptions in which the birth parent rights are terminated and a kinship caregiver (grandparents, aunts and uncles or other relatives, members of a child’s tribe or clan, godparents, stepparents, neighbors, friends of the family or other adults who can serve as “family”) becomes the child’s legal parent.

Arrangements in which the full time care, supervision, nurturing and protection of a minor child is the responsibility of a grandparent, aunt, uncle or other relative, member of the child’s tribe or clan, godparent, stepparent, friend of family or another adult who has a long-standing relationship with the child or the family in situations where the child cannot live with his or her parents. Types of kinship care include informal agreements between family members or with a non-relative; kinship caregiver arrangements in which the caregiver has physical custody but the children’s protective services agency has legal custody; kinship guardian arrangements in which the caregiver has both legal and physical custody; and kinship foster care in which the caregiver is a licensed foster parent and has physical custody of the child while the children’s protective agency has legal custody.

One-time transitional monetary support and/or an ongoing maintenance subsidy to help meet the needs of children who are in the custody of grandparents, aunts and uncles or other relatives, members of a child’s tribe or clan, godparents, stepparents, neighbors, friends of the family or other kinship caregivers. The programs have different eligibility requirements for children and caregivers which may relate to the child’s age, the legal status of the caregiver relative to the child, the length of time the child has been in the caregiver’s custody, the relationship of the family with the child welfare system and the prospects for adoption or family reunification. Criminal background checks and home studies may be required, and income requirements (for the caregiver) may apply. Included are subsidized guardianship programs that provide financial assistance and supports that are limited to situations where the caregivers are legal guardians and those that have broader criteria that include less formal relationships.

Grandparents, aunts and uncles or other relatives, members of a child?›ƒ?ªƒ?›s tribe or clan, godparents, stepparents, neighbors, friends of the family or other adults who can serve as “family” who have taken on the responsibility of raising children in situations where the birthparents are unable or unwilling to provide for their care.

Assistance in the form of labor and supplies for people with disabilities who need to restructure their kitchens to make cupboards, counters, appliances and other kitchen structures accessible.

A disorder that is characterized by the consistent inability to resist the impulse to steal objects that have little or no intrinsic or monetary value to the thief. Stolen objects are typically given away, returned surreptitiously or kept and hidden. The kleptomaniac usually experiences an increasing sense of tension before committing the act, intense gratification while committing it, and often a deep sense of regret following the act.

Organizations whose members are employees who have affiliated for the purpose of engaging in collective bargaining with management in order to secure more favorable wages, hours, grievance procedures and other terms or conditions of employment.

Legislation which protects the working public from exploitation and unsafe working conditions.

Conditions in which an individual’s ability to comprehend and/or use spoken language develops more slowly than expected based on established norms.

Conditions that impair an individual’s ability to comprehend ideas which have been spoken or written (receptive language) or their ability to use spoken or written words to express ideas (expressive language).

Services of trained bilingual individuals who are usually proficient in English and one or more foreign languages to help people whose command of English is inadequate to communicate their needs.

Tests which assess the ability of examinees to speak, understand, read and/or write English or any of a wide variety of other languages. The examinations may measure different levels of competency and may test oral language capabilities (how well individuals understand and express themselves in a language including their vocabulary and grammar), reading comprehension and/or written language competency (how well individuals write in a particular language and/or are able to translate to and from that language). In some instances, the cultural competency of examinees is also measured. Language proficiency examinations may be given to the current or potential employees of organizations in situations where mastery of a particular language is a work requirement, to students who need a minimum level of proficiency to succeed in their classes, to students who have studied a foreign language (e.g., in high school) to assure appropriate college/university-level course placement, to individuals who want to teach in a particular language and to people who need to demonstrate proficiency for other reasons.

Individual or group therapy sessions to assist people who have receptive or expressive language difficulties. Sessions usually focus on concept development, word sequencing (syntax), and word choice (vocabulary) as well as on the development or improvement of listening skills.

Services of bilingual individuals who have reading and writing proficiency in the second language to transfer documents written in the second language into English or vice versa or to explain the meaning of documents written in English to people whose reading proficiency in English is inadequate, using that person’s native language.

Youngsters who have to stay unsupervised in their homes after school or throughout the day because their parent(s) are working and child care is unavailable.

Programs that use the therapeutic properties of laughter to relieve stress; dissolve negative emotions such as irritation, anger, boredom and depression; and improve the ability of individuals to fight illness. Laughter has been shown to strengthen the functioning of the immune system by boosting Gamma-interferon levels, reduce the levels of stress-promoting hormones, promote muscle relaxation, lower blood pressure, and reduce pain by releasing endorphins, the body’s natural pain killer.

Services offered by law enforcement agencies and other organizations that provide specific measures for discouraging preventable crime, obtaining information from the public about suspected criminal activity, investigating alleged crimes, analyzing physical evidence, providing support for victims and witnesses of crimes and reducing targeted types of crime.

A neurological disorder that affects one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using spoken or written language. The disability may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell or to do mathematical calculations. Learning disabilities should not be confused with learning problems which are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor handicaps; of intellectual disabilities; of emotional disturbance; or of environmental, cultural or economic disadvantages.

Least Restrictive Environment means that placement of a student with disabilities in special classes, separate schools or other removal from the general educational environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the student’s disability is such that even with the use of supplementary aids and services, the student’s education cannot be satisfactorily achieved. The placement of an individual student with a disability in the least restrictive environment must:

• provide the special education needed by the student;
• provide for education of the student to the maximum extent appropriate to the needs of the student with other students who do not have disabilities; and
• be as close as possible to the student’s home.

A student with a disability must not be removed from education in age-appropriate regular classrooms solely because of needed modifications in the general education curriculum.

Programs that protect the rights of individuals or groups who are involved in civil, criminal or administrative actions or who have been denied services or other benefits or privileges to which they are entitled by law by furnishing legal advice, advising the party of his or her rights and possible solutions, negotiating a settlement, preparing legal documents, appearing in court on behalf of the party, preparing the party to represent him or herself in court and/or attending trials to monitor court proceedings.

Organizations whose members are lawyers, judges or other legal professionals who have affiliated for the purpose of promoting mutual interests, participating in legal seminars and conferences, networking with their peers, subscribing to legal journals and other publications, and taking advantage of other opportunities for professional development. Many legal associations offer assistance to members who have management or financial problems that relate to their practices, set standards which relate to the qualifications and performance of members, accept and investigate complaints from the public regarding the practices of members and maintain lawyer referral services through which citizens who require legal assistance are referred to member attorneys.

Legal services provide assistance in the form of advocacy, arbitration, class action litigation, legal counseling, legal representation, mediation, paralegal counseling, self-representation assistance and/or court watching which focus on a particular area of law.

Attempts to influence the introduction or review of pending bills, ordinances or administrative rulings with the objective of having an impact on the passage or defeat of such legislation or its content.

Organizations whose members are librarians who have affiliated for the purpose of advancing their profession, promoting mutual interests, participating in library seminars and conferences, networking with their peers, subscribing to journals and other publications, and taking advantage of other opportunities for continuing professional development.

Libraries and other facilities that offer a range of activities and services which are designed to meet the information and learning needs of patrons and to facilitate their enjoyment of library resources. Included are reference services, programs which introduce and encourage reading, services which enable people who cannot access the facility to utilize library resources and special collections which provide access to a broad spectrum of general and specialized book and nonbook material as well as reading material in alternative formats.

Individuals who have the education and experience required for licensed clinical social workers, who have obtained their licenses and who are qualified in the desired area of specialization.

Individuals who have the education and experience required for licensed professional counselors, who have obtained their licenses and who are qualified in the desired area of specialization.

Home health care services provided by individuals who have graduated from a school of vocational nursing and have passed the national board examination.

Licensing/Certification/Accreditation for the profession or the operation of a business or community facility after determining that established standards have been met. Activities usually include establishment of standards; review of applications; preparation and administration of examinations; issuance or denial of licenses, certificates or accreditation papers; enforcement of compliance with standards through inspection and monitoring; and revocation of licenses or disciplinary action in cases of noncompliance.

Residential facilities, usually licensed by the state, which provide a place to live and lifelong health care including surgery, medication, physical therapy and round-the-clock care for people who can afford to pay a sizable entry fee (which may be as much as $200,000) and a monthly maintenance fee which covers rent, meals, housekeeping, linens, utilities and other basic services. Healthy residents maintain independent living in apartments, studios or cottages while residents whose health problems require constant medical care are guaranteed a bed in the community’s long-term care nursing home. Monthly fees are generally regulated by the state and facilities are required to maintain an emergency fund to cover residents who find themselves unable to make the payments.

A “life coach” helps people articulate their dreams, clarify their mission in life, identify specific goals, develop concrete action plans, take advantage of feedback and support and move beyond barriers and self-sabotage. Life coaching differs from psychotherapy in that it is not designed to treat diagnosable mental disorders such as depression, anxiety or substance abuse, but rather draws on people’s strengths and inner resources to create a life of fulfillment, accomplishment and balance. It is usually offered over the telephone with weekly appointments, but face-to-face, email and instant message sessions may also be available.

Programs that offer training which focuses on the knowledge and skills an individual may need to live independently or make a successful transition to independent living. Participants may include runaway youth who are living on their own, youth who because of age can no longer be maintained in foster care, new widows, victims of domestic abuse, people who have previously been homeless, and others who have lived in an environment in which decision making and responsibilities of daily living have been handled by another as well as people currently living independently who want to be more effective. Training may address job search and retention, money management, insurance, taxes, rental agreements, vehicle purchase, nutrition, home management, health care, legal emancipation for teens and other similar topics.

Mutual support groups whose members are people who have needs, issues and problems that relate to their lifestyle, career choice or their particular stage in life. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; and allow participants to share their experience, strengths and hopes to solve the problems they have in common and to address the quality of life issues that affect them all.

Equipment that monitors computer sounds and alerts the computer user with light signals when a new e-mail message has arrived, a computer command has been completed or other similar activities. The equipment is useful for people who cannot hear computer sounds or are not directly in front of the computer screen.

Therapy that helps individuals with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) deal with their depression by placing them in a light box where they are bathed in light from a full-spectrum light source. 

Personalized Recovery Oriented Services (PROS) is a comprehensive recovery oriented program for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. The goal of the program is to integrate treatment, support and rehabilitation in a manner that facilitates the individual’s recovery. Goals for individuals in the program are to: improve functioning, reduce inpatient utilization, reduce emergency services, reduce contact with the criminal justice system, increase employment, attain higher levels of education and secure preferred housing. A Limited License PROS program provides only ongoing rehabilitation and support and intensive rehabilitative services.

Programs that provide reading and writing instruction for individuals of all ages who are unable to read or write at a functional level. Some programs interpret literacy more broadly and also help people develop speaking, computation and problem solving skills with the objective of ensuring that they develop levels of proficiency they will need to become self sufficient and function well in society.

Tests which measure an individual’s ability to read and comprehend written material and/or to write at a functional level.

An individual that helps people who are socially isolated due to disability or old age relieve their loneliness by providing a companion who shares the individual’s home and is available on a continual basis for reading, talking, listening, writing letters and other tasks which help the individual maintain contact with the outside world.

Individuals that help with heavy house cleaning chores and who share the residence of the individual or family who has requested the service.

Individuals and/or families who have needs and interests in common based on the type of housing, shelter or other accommodation they currently occupy.

Fixed-route mass transit services that utilize buses to transport people within the limits of a city, a metropolitan area, a county or a multicounty region or to move people from outlying areas into a city or metropolitan area. With traditional fixed-route services, buses run along an established path at preset times picking up passengers at designated bus stops. Variations include express fixed-route services with fewer stops; deviated-fixed route services which allow vehicles to deviate from the fixed route to pick up passengers at other specific locations, e.g., places of employment or child care centers, while keeping to a timetable for scheduled stops; point-deviation services which allow vehicles to stop at scheduled stops per a timetable but pick up passengers with advanced reservations between scheduled stops; and arrangements in which vehicles have no fixed stops but allow riders to hail a vehicle which travels along a fixed route and request a drop-off anywhere along the route.

Fixed-route rapid rail services which transport people within the limits of a city, a metropolitan area, the county, or a multicounty region, or which move people from outlying areas into a city or metropolitan area. Included are streetcar services, rail-connected trolley services, metro rail services, monorail services and elevated railway services.

The board of directors of a local school district which helps to determine educational policy in a small regional area such as a city or county. School board members are generally elected by district residents, but in some places are appointed by the mayor of the jurisdiction or other public officials. The size and authority of boards of education varies widely. In some districts they have the authority to set and levy tax rates; in others they may have only the authority to recommend such to a legislative body or executive. Most school boards have between five and 15 members. In some districts, especially small rural ones, they may approve the hiring and dismissal of every teacher; more typically they are responsible only for overall policies and procedures and leave the day-to-day operation of the district to a professional educator who is generally referred to by the title of superintendent of schools or director of schools.

School districts are the most common kind of special administrative district in New York. They provide, arrange, or contract for all public education services, including special education and school transportation, the latter also for non-public schools.  School districts are rarely precisely coextensive with the cities, towns, villages, or hamlets that bear the same name, meaning that a person living in one hamlet or village might send their children to a school associated with a different hamlet or village. Residents pay school taxes to the same school district in which they live and any children living with them attend school. Typically, a school district is governed by a local board of education, whose members are elected by registered voters who live in the district.  The district superintendent of schools is appointed by the local board of education. 

There are five types of school districts in the state each with slightly different laws:  central school district (the most frequent type); common school district (not authorized to operate high schools); union free school district (district resulting from a “union” of two or more common school districts, and “free” from the restrictions that previously barred them from operating high schools) central high school district (there are only three, all in Nassau County); and city school district.

All but five school districts in New York State are separate from municipal governments. The exceptions are the five cities whose populations exceed 125,000 (Buffalo, New York, Rochester, Syracuse and Yonkers), in which education is part of the municipal budget.

New York City’s public education system is headed by a chancellor and has a 13-member all-appointed Department of Education Panel for Education Policy. The mayor-appointed chancellor heads up the New York City Department of Education.  The city is divided by the department into 11 “school regions” (10 geographic regions and a “District 75” for students with disabilities).   

Identification cards that people can use in lieu of cash to pay for mass transit services.

Transportation for individuals whose points of origin and destinations are within their community or other nearby communities. Local transportation organizations also provide information for the public about rates, schedules and routes for these services.

Bus fare for people who need to travel out of town (e.g., for a funeral or to stay with relatives) but do not have the means to do so.

Individuals who have assumed responsibility for arranging care for an aging parent, grandparent or other person and who live at a distance (generally an hour or more) from that person.

Information and guidance for people who need assistance in determining whether they need long term care insurance, comparing and evaluating benefit plans and selecting a policy that will meet their needs or choosing an alternative to long term care insurance that is more beneficial given their situation.

Programs that investigate and attempt to resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents of nursing facilities, residential care homes, assisted living facilities and other supervised living facilities for older adults. The program also promotes policies and practices that improve the quality of life, health, safety, welfare and rights of residents; monitors laws, regulations and policies that affect those who live in long-term care facilities; provides the public with information about long-term care options; and promotes the development of consumer organizations concerned about long-term care. Under the federal Older Americans Act, every state is required to have an Ombudsman Program that addresses complaints and advocates for improvements in the long term care system.

Subsidies that enable people to reside in long term care facilities when their assets cannot cover the cost of their specialized care.

Development, implementation, assessment and follow-up on plans for the evaluation, treatment and/or care of people who, on an ongoing basis, need assistance in planning and arranging for services.

Comprehensive, coordinated long-term care in the patient’s home with the objective of preventing the patient’s removal to a long-term care facility. Services may include case management, nursing rehabilitation therapies, social services, nutrition, aides and medical emergency response systems.

Assistance with activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living provided to older people and adults with disabilities that cannot perform these activities on their own due to a physical, cognitive, or chronic health conditions. LTSS may provide care, case management, and service coordination to people who live in their own home, a residential setting, a nursing facility, or other institutional setting. LTSS also include supports provided to family members and other unpaid caregivers.

LTSS may be provided in institutional and community settings. 

Law schools, business schools and/or 501(c) nonprofit organizations that have been funded by the IRS to provide pro bono representation and/or representation referrals for low income taxpayers in federal tax disputes and/or education and outreach to taxpayers for whom English is a second language. Services may include interviewing and counseling clients regarding their tax situation, preparing cases for appeal conferences, representing taxpayers at those conferences, preparing written offers and compromises, negotiating settlements and, in some cases, preparing tax return forms for non-filers and foreign taxpayers.

Privately owned rental housing that is made available to low-income individuals and families at reduced rates based on a contract between HUD or the state housing authority and the property owner. Subsidies are paid directly to the owner of the property who then rents units to income-eligible individuals and families. Also included are low-cost or below market rate housing that is operated or sponsored by religious or charitable organizations for the benefit of low-income individuals and families; and rental housing targeted to lower income households that has been purchased, rehabilitated or constructed by developers who are receiving a federal income tax credit under the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program or are participants in other similar affordable housing incentive programs. Some privately owned rental units that were developed or improved with public funds are also required to rent a designated number of units at reduced prices to people who meet low-income eligibility requirements until the federal or state loans are paid. Some complexes or housing units may be reserved for low-income older adults, people with disabilities and/or other special populations. Included are income-based rental housing where tenants pay rent that is geared to their income; as well as fixed below market rate rental housing where rent is lower than what people would normally pay renting the unit but is based on a specified percentage of the median income for the area rather than on a percentage of an individual’s actual income, and tenants may have to be within a specified income range to live there. Rental amounts and the level of “affordability” may vary considerably among programs.

Housing programs that make rental housing more readily available to homeless people and/or low-income individuals and families (those below 50% of the area’s median income). Some complexes or housing units may be reserved for low-income older adults, people with disabilities and/or other special populations.

Magnifiers, magnification equipment, light intensification equipment, night vision equipment, closed circuit television devices and other products which help people who have visual impairments use their remaining vision to greater advantage.

Elementary or secondary schools within the public education system that offer experimental learning environments or courses that are not available within the regular school curriculum, and which are designed to attract students on a voluntary basis from all parts of a school district without reference to the usual attendance zone rules. Some schools of choice have their own sites; others are housed at regular schools that have extra space.

Drugstores and other establishments that receive written prescriptions through the mail, fill the prescriptions and send the prescription medication to the individual by return mail.

Treatment that utilize controlled dosages of legal, prescription substances which, although usually addictive themselves, prevent the symptoms associated with heroin withdrawal and thus support the efforts of abusers to abstain from heroin use. The objective of maintenance is to gradually reduce the amount of the substitute drug that is required in order to reduce and, if possible, eventually eliminate dependency altogether.

A disorder that is characterized by one or more major depressive episodes but no manic episodes. Depressive episodes are characterized by loss of interest or pleasure in all or almost all usual activities and pastimes, appetite disturbance, change in weight, sleep disturbance, psychomotor agitation or retardation, decreased energy, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty concentrating or thinking and thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts.

A disorder in which an individual pretends or exaggerates physical or psychological symptoms, typically with the goal of achieving a certain benefit (e.g., to avoid work or criminal prosecution or to gain financial compensation).

The Managed Care Technical Assistance Center of New York (MCTAC) is a training, consultation, and educational resource center serving all behavioral health agencies in New York State. MCTAC helps agencies strengthen their clinical and business infrastructure through training opportunities focused on implementing evidence-based practices and addressing the challenges associated with the recent changes in regulations, financing and overall healthcare reforms.

State Medicaid programs operating under a Section 1915(b) waiver that permits them to mandate Medicaid enrollment into managed care or otherwise limit individuals’ choice of provider under Medicaid; or create a “carve out” delivery system for specialty care, such as behavioral health care. Programs operating under this waiver cannot negatively impact beneficiary access or quality of care of services; and must be cost effective.

Information and guidance regarding available managed health care options with the objective of helping people become more knowledgeable health care consumers. Managed health care deals with the variety of methods for financing and organizing the delivery of health services in which costs are contained by controlling the provision of services.

Wheeled mobility devices that are propelled by their occupants or by someone else who pushes the wheelchair. Skilled users can control speed and turning and often learn to balance the chair on its rear wheels, a maneuver that allows the individual to climb and descend curbs and move over small obstacles. Manual wheelchairs are lighter than their powered counterparts, provide for maximum independence of movement and are easier to manage.

Instruction that teaches individuals with hearing impairments to communicate using one of the visual communication methods expressed through the hands which attempt to represent the English language. Unlike sign languages such as American Sign Language, which have evolved naturally in deaf communities, the different forms of manually coded English were artificially created and generally follow the grammar of English. Also, unlike deaf sign languages, the various forms of MCE can be used with simultaneous communication, speaking English and signing at the same time. Included are Signed English (SE), Seeing Essential English (SEE I), Signing Exact English (SEE II), Conceptually Accurate Signed English (CASE) and Linguistics of Visual English (LOVE).

Instruction that teaches individuals with hearing impairments to communicate using a sign language version of a spoken language. Unlike the sign languages that have evolved naturally in deaf communities and have distinct spatial structures, manually coded languages are the invention of hearing people and primarily follow the grammar of the written form of the spoken language.

Planned communities that provide space on a rental or purchase basis and access to utilities for individuals who own a manufactured or mobile home unit and require a space or lot on which to situate it. Some manufactured/mobile home parks have homeowners associations which maintain common areas which may include recreational facilities. Some parks also rent mobile homes.

Individuals who have a psychological dependency on marijuana or hashish; or whose use of these substances has impaired their physical or mental health or their personal, social or occupational functioning. Marijuana and hashish produce sensory distortions, increased appetite, lack of coordination, impaired short-term memory, and increased heart rate; and, with long-term use of large doses, vivid hallucinations and psychosis.

Housing that can be purchased on an unsubsidized basis at market rates.

Housing units that can be rented or purchased on an unsubsidized basis at market rates.

Apartments, duplexes, triplexes and other dwellings that are available on an unsubsidized basis at market rates to the general public for lease or rent. There are no age, disability-related or other restrictions regarding the people who may become tenants.

Linking people who are in need of counseling services with individuals who have the education and experience required for marriage and family therapists, who have obtained their licenses and who are qualified in the desired area of specialization.

A learning disability that is characterized by normal language development but difficulty with mathematical computation or the ability to use mathematical reasoning to solve problems, e.g., understand the abstract concepts such as time and direction or the use of money. Individuals with a math?›ƒ?ªƒ??based learning disorder may struggle with memorization and organization of numbers, operation signs, and number “facts” (such as 5+5=10 or 5×5=25). They may also have trouble with counting principles (such as counting by 2s or counting by 5s).

A neutral third person who is acceptable to all parties assist in dispute and facilitates discussion between the parties and aids them in making their own settlement decisions.

A combined federal and state program administered by the state that provides medical benefits for individuals and families with limited incomes who fit into an eligibility group that is recognized by federal and state law. Each state sets its own guidelines regarding eligibility and services within parameters established at the federal level. Many people are covered by Medicaid, though within these groups, certain additional requirements must be met. Eligibility factors include people’s age, whether they are pregnant, have a disability, are blind, or aged; their income and resources (like bank accounts, real property or other items that can be sold for cash); and whether they are U.S. citizens or lawfully admitted immigrants. Families who are receiving benefits through TANF and individuals who receive SSI as aged, blind and disabled are categorically eligible groups. The rules for counting a person’s income and resources vary from state to state and from group to group. There are special rules for those who live in nursing homes, for people served under the Medicaid Waiver program, for people served by Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) programs and for children with disabilities living at home. Medicaid makes payments directly to a person’s health care provider; and some recipients may be asked to pay a small part of the cost (co-payment) for some medical services. Most states have additional “state-only” programs to provide medical assistance for specified low-income persons who do not qualify for the Medicaid program.

Programs that enable people with disabilities who are working and earning more than the allowable limits for regular Medicaid to retain their health care coverage through the Medicaid program. Participants “buy into” the program, typically by paying premiums that are based on income.

A hotline or other mechanism that people can use to request a replacement when their Medicaid card was never received, has been lost or stolen, or when a replacement is required due to a name change or for other similar circumstance. Replacement cards can also be obtained from Medicaid applications offices.

Programs that are responsible for implementing the 1993 federal legislation that makes it mandatory for states to attempt to recover Medicaid payments for recipients from their estates after they die; and/or which provide information about the program. Since most tangible assets are spent through Medicaid spend down, estate recovery focuses on real property, personal property or business ownership that the deceased had an interest in just prior to receiving Medicaid. Recovery applies to individuals who were age 55 or older when they received Medicaid or to permanently institutionalized adults younger than age 55. Recovery can also occur from the estate of living recipients who are in a nursing home and who have been certified that they cannot reasonably be expected to be discharged and return home. The property is exempt from estate recovery if the recipient’s spouse is living there, a blind or permanently disabled child lives there, or if as a result of a state lien, additional protection for siblings and adult children can be satisfied.

The Affordable Care Act (Sec. 2703) gives states an opportunity to improve care coordination and care management for Medicaid beneficiaries with complex needs through health homes.

The Health Home model of service delivery expands on the traditional medical home model to build linkages to other community and social supports, and to enhance coordination of medical and behavioral health care, with the main focus on the needs of persons with multiple chronic illnesses.

The State Medicaid Director’s Letter (SMDL#10-024) provides a background and evolution of Patient Centered Medical Homes and Health Homes and can be accessed at https://www.cms.gov/smdl/downloads/SMD10024.pdf.

Section 1945(h)(4) of the Act defines health home services as “comprehensive and timely high quality services,” and includes the following health home services to be provided by designated health home providers or health teams:

• Comprehensive care management;
• Care coordination and health promotion;
• Comprehensive transitional care from inpatient to other settings, including appropriate follow-up;
• Individual and family support, which includes authorized representatives;
• Referral to community and social support services, if relevant; and
• The use of health information technology to link services, as feasible and appropriate.

Information and guidance for people who may qualify for Medicaid including those who do not have access to insurance provided by an employer, cannot afford privately purchased health insurance or cannot afford the out-of-pocket costs associated with a health insurance plan they may have in place with the objective of empowering them to make informed choices. Included may be information about the eligibility requirements for Medicaid and how to apply; Medicaid Managed Care options including benefits covered (and not covered) by the program; the payment process for co-payments; Medicaid “spend-down” (the process of reducing the assets an individual possesses in order to qualify for Medicaid); and information about Medicare and the linkages between the two programs. The program may also answer questions about Medicaid services available to individuals with disabilities; and some programs may help people who qualify with enrollment and provide referrals to providers who accept State Medicaid health insurance.

Requests for health care which require prior approval in order for Medicaid to be used as a payment source.

Low-income individuals who are receiving comprehensive medical benefits through the federal Medicaid program administered by the county or the state.

A Medicaid Service Coordinator works for the individual and in partnership with the person’s advocate to develop an Individualized Service Environment (ISE) consistent with their personal goals, preferences and desired activities.

This process results in the development of an Individual Service Plan (ISP), which serves as an outline of the services and supports that are either necessary or desired by the person to assist them in achieving their personal aspirations. The aim of the ISP is to ensure that a person receives appropriate services and/or supports, consistent with their valued outcomes as identified in the plan and their needs.

Specific services and supports provided by the Service Coordinator range from assistance with financial matters, arranging respite, securing leisure and recreational activities, identifying environmental modifications and adaptive equipment needs, if any, housing issues and in-home and out-of-home service needs, etc.

Enabling individuals to make their own choices promotes change, growth and the ability to meet new challenges every day.

Nonemergency transportation for individuals who require routine medical services and who, because of financial problems or their physical condition, are unable to use other available means of local transportation.

Organizations whose members are doctors, dentists, nurses, chiropractors or other medical professionals who have affiliated for the purpose of promoting mutual interests and participating in medical seminars and conferences, subscribing to medical journals and taking advantage of other opportunities for professional development. Many medical associations set standards which relate to the qualifications and performance of members, accept and investigate complaints from the public regarding the practices of members and maintain referral services through which residents who require medical assistance are referred to members.

Assistance to pay the hospital bills, doctor bills, laboratory expenses or other health care expenses of people who are unable to obtain necessary health care without assistance. Also included are programs that provide vouchers which enable eligible individuals to obtain medical care. Medical bill payment assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.

Necessary in-home hospital equipment, monitoring devices, respiratory aids, prevention kits and other medical supplies that are required by people who want to prevent the transmission of an infectious disease, are coping with the effects of a chronic health condition or disability or are convalescing following surgery or illness. Included are programs that provide medical equipment on a loan basis as well as those that provide equipment that people can keep.

Services of trained medical personnel (generally licensed nurses, paramedics or EMTs) who provide in-flight patient care for severely ill or injured individuals who are traveling domestically or internationally using the commercial airline system. Services may include screening for travel fitness; travel planning and ticketing for all traveling parties; ground transportation; priority check-in; in-flight medical care including oxygen, sedation and pain management; arrangements for required medical equipment; international stretcher service; and medical reporting to the receiving facility. Some programs can also assist individuals who are traveling by rail.

Assistance to pay the health care expenses of people who are unable to obtain necessary care without assistance. Medical expense assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.

Telephone information about specific health and health-related topics including specific diseases and conditions, birth control, alcohol and drug abuse, mental health, safety and other similar topics. Included are programs that have tapes on specific topics that people can select and access through a central number which are then played over the telephone, those that are staffed by live operators who have medical expertise and who answer questions directly, and those that provide medical information via an Internet website.

Programs that provide financial assistance to ensure that low-income and indigent individuals and families have access to essential medical services.

The cumulative history of the occasions on which an individual has been examined, evaluated, treated for an ailment or received specific vaccinations.

Services for patients and their families during hospitalization and upon discharge, for people receiving outpatient services, for previous patients and for other people not previously associated with the facility who need the service. Included are consultation and the coordination of available services for the patient’s continuing care at home or in a short or long-term care facility; or whatever other support may be needed to help resolve the logistical, social and psychological problems related to the illness.

Home health care services are provided by registered nurses who specialize in the pre and postoperative care of surgical patients.

A federally funded health insurance program administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for people age 65 and older, individuals with disabilities younger than age 65 who have received Social Security Disability benefits for at least 24 consecutive months, and insured workers and their dependents who have end stage renal disease and need dialysis or a kidney transplant. Premiums, deductibles, and co-payments or out-of-pocket costs are required for Medicare coverage. Special programs that assist with paying some or all of these costs are available for low income persons who qualify. Medicare has four parts: Hospital Insurance (Part A), which helps pay for care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility, home health care and hospice care; Supplemental Medical Insurance (Part B), which helps pay for doctors, outpatient hospital care and other medical services including the Medicare Preventive benefits (effective January 1, 2005); Medicare Advantage (Part C, formerly known as Medicare+Choice), which offers a variety of Medicare managed care options, including coordinated care plans and private, unrestricted fee-for-service plans, that are required to provide, at minimum, the same benefits as Part A and B, excluding hospice services; and the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D, effective January 1, 2006), a program managed by private plans that assists in covering the cost of prescription drugs for beneficiaries. People who have Medicare Part A and/or Part B need to join a Medicare prescription drug program to obtain insurance coverage for prescription drugs.

Providers of Medicare Advantage (MA) health care plans approved by Medicare that accept applications for enrollment in one of the four Medicare Advantage options that offer Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) coverage, as well as prescription drug coverage which may also be included. Many providers of MA Plans offer extra benefits (e.g., vision, dental coverage) and lower co-payments than in the Original Medicare Plan. However, they may require participants to use physicians, hospitals and other providers that are part of the plan or provider network. Medicare Advantage Plans include: Medicare Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plans; Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) Plans; Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) Plans; and Medicare Special Needs Plans (SNP). To join a Medicare Advantage Plan, an individual must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B. In addition to paying the monthly Part B premium required by Medicare, MA providers may require a monthly premium for the extra benefits provided by the Plan. Information about Medicare Advantage plans is available in the “Welcome to Medicare” handbook people receive when they enroll, by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or by using the personal plan finder on the Medicare website. Also included are other programs that help people prepare and file Medicare Advantage plan enrollment applications and/or are authorized to do eligibility determinations for the program.

Medicare recipients request replacements for a lost, stolen or damaged Medicare card online by visiting the Medicare Card Replacement section of the Social Security website. Replacement cards are mailed within 30 days. People needing immediate proof that they have Medicare coverage can call a toll-free number or visit their local Social Security office.

Private companies that contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal government agency that operates Medicare, to pay bills for durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers or hospital beds as well as drugs that are used in conjunction with medical equipment. DME must be ordered by a doctor for use in the home and is paid for under both Medicare Part B and Part A for home health services. DMERCs are also responsible for answering questions about Medicare DME claims, service denials and adjustments for beneficiaries and providers (including how to bill for payment and how to process claims for primary and secondary payment); and, as part of their fraud and prevention function, actively accept the return of inappropriate Medicare payments.

Social Security offices that accept applications for enrollment in and determine eligibility for the Medicare program. People who have signed up for early retirement benefits with the Social Security Administration or the Railroad Retirement Board apply for Medicare at that time and receive their Medicare card in the mail automatically prior to their 65th birthday. Individuals who wait for full retirement age to sign up for SSA cash benefits will need to apply for Medicare approximately three months prior to their 65th birthday month at the Social Security office where they will do the paperwork and designate if they want Part A and/or B. They will get their Medicare card in the mail showing their enrollment (Part A and/or B) with an effective date, the first of their birthday month. These people are now enrolled in Original Medicare and can sign up with a supplement or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D), or have the option of receiving their Medicare benefits through a Medicare Advantage plan (HMOs, PPOs, special needs plans, private fee for service plans). If they choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, they will have to determine availability and which plan is best for them, and then will need to enroll directly with the plan of their choice. Information about Medicare Advantage plans is available in the Welcome to Medicare handbook people receive when they enroll, by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or by using the personal plan finder on the Medicare website. Also included are other programs that help people prepare and file Medicare enrollment applications and/or are authorized to do eligibility determinations for the program.

Private companies that contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal government agency that operates Medicare, to process and pay Medicare Part A claims and some Part B claims. Medicare fiscal intermediaries are also responsible for answering questions about Medicare hospitalization claims, service denials and adjustments for beneficiaries and providers (including how to bill for payment and how to process claims for primary and secondary payment); and, as part of their fraud and prevention function, actively accept the return of inappropriate Medicare payments.

Providers of Medicare Advantage (MA) health care plans approved by Medicare that accept applications for enrollment in a type of managed care organization that generally provides health care coverage through hospitals, physicians, and other providers with which the HMO has a contract. Most providers of HMO plans require members to select a primary care physician to manage the individual’s health care; a referral from a primary care physician to see specialists is generally required. Also included are other programs that help people prepare and file Medicare HMO plan enrollment applications and/or are authorized to do eligibility determinations for the program.

Information and guidance for older adults and people with disabilities regarding their health insurance options with the objective of empowering them to make informed choices. Included is information about the eligibility requirements for Medicare; selection and enrollment in a Medicare prescription drug plan; benefits covered (and not covered) by the program; the payment process; the rights of beneficiaries; the process for determinations, coverage denials and appeals; consumer safeguards; and options for filling the gap in Medicare coverage. Also provided counseling and assistance about the subsidies that are available to low income beneficiaries enrolled in the Part D Prescription Drug Benefit; and may also provide information about Medicaid and the linkages between the two programs, referrals to appropriate state and local agencies involved in the Medicaid program, information about other Medicare-related entities (such as peer review organizations, Medicare-approved prescription drug plans, fiscal intermediaries and carriers), and assistance in completing Medicare insurance forms.

Insurance policies which pay for some health care costs that are not covered by Medicare. These generally include Medicare deductibles and co-payments, but not long-term care.

Private companies that contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal government agency that operates Medicare, to process and pay Medicare Part B claims including those for prescription drugs. Claims for drugs that are used with medical equipment are typically processed by one of four durable medical equipment regional carriers (DMERC). Medicare Part B Carriers are also responsible for answering questions about Medicare medical services claims, service denials and adjustments for beneficiaries and providers (including how to bill for payment and how to process claims for primary and secondary payment); and, as part of their fraud and prevention function, actively accept the return of inappropriate Medicare payments.

Social Security offices that accept applications and determine eligibility for the subsidies that are available to low income beneficiaries enrolled in the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit. Beneficiaries may also apply for the subsidy through the online application available on the Social Security Administration website. Also included are other programs that help people prepare and file Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy applications and/or are authorized to do eligibility determinations for the program.

Providers of Medicare Advantage (MA) health care plans approved by Medicare that accept applications for enrollment in a type of managed care organization that generally provides health care coverage through a broad network of physicians, hospitals, and other providers. Care is paid for as it is received instead of in advance in the form of a scheduled fee. Providers of PPO Plans may also offer more flexibility by allowing for visits to out-of-network professionals at a greater expense to the participant; referral for specialists is generally not required. Also included are other programs that help people prepare and file Medicare PPO plan enrollment applications and/or are authorized to do eligibility determinations for the program.

Medicare Prescription Drug Plans that are approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to offer prescription drug coverage and accept applications for enrollment from Medicare beneficiaries. Beneficiaries may also enroll in a plan through the online enrollment application available on the CMS website which also has a tool for comparing different plans. Also included are other programs that help people prepare and file Medicare Prescription Drug Plan enrollment applications and/or are authorized to do eligibility determinations for the program.

Providers of Medicare Advantage (MA) health care plans that accept applications for enrollment in the type of plan which allows participants to see any health care provider who is eligible to receive payment from Medicare and agrees to accept payment from the PPFS Medicare Advantage Organization (MAO). PFFS Plans are generally offered by state-licensed private insurance companies that have a yearly contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and provide all Medicare benefits plus any additional benefits the company chooses to offer. The PFFS provider of the plan decides the level of reimbursement for Medicare-covered services. Participants must pay any cost sharing amounts required by the health care provider when obtaining health care services. Also included are other programs that help people prepare and file Medicare Private Fee For Service plan enrollment applications and/or are authorized to do eligibility determinations for the program.

Programs that pay all or a portion of Medicare costs for low income Medicare beneficiaries with limited resources/assets. The programs are administered by Medicaid medical assistance offices, pay all or a portion of Medicare premiums and may pay Medicare deductibles and co-insurance. Included are the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program that pays Medicare premiums, deductibles and co-payments for people with combined incomes that do not exceed 100 percent of the federal poverty level; the Specified Low-Income Beneficiary (SLMB) program that pays Medicare Part B premiums for people with combined incomes between 100 and 120 percent of the federal poverty level; the Qualifying Individuals (QI) program that pays Medicare Part B premiums for people with combined incomes 120 and 135 percent of the federal poverty level; and the Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) program that helps pay the Part A premium for individuals under age 65 who have a disability and are working, have lost their premium-free Part A when they returned to work, are not receiving medical assistance from their state and meet income and resource limits required by their state. The QI program is available on a first come, first served basis. Asset/resource limits are uniform for the QMB, SLMB and QI programs and are $7,160 for single individuals and $10,750 for married couples. Resource limits for the QDWI are $4000 in countable assets/resources for individuals and $6000 for married couples.

Electronic equipment for monitoring and dispensing medication. The device is filled with medication by the caregiver on a regular basis and can be set to remind the individual to open a drawer in the device and take the medication at a particular time each day. If the drawer is not opened at the scheduled time, the caregiver receives a message through the system that the individual has not responded. The equipment is usually attached to a personal emergency response system.

Services that provide preventive, diagnostic and treatment services in a variety of community and hospital-based settings to help people achieve, maintain and enhance a state of emotional well-being, personal empowerment and the skills to cope with everyday demands without excessive stress or reliance on alcohol or other drugs. Treatment may include emotional support, introspection and problem-solving assistance using a variety of modalities and approaches, and medication, as needed, for individuals who have a physical and/or psychological dependency on one or a combination of addictive substances or for people who range from experiencing difficult life transitions or problems in coping with daily living to those with severe, chronic mental illnesses that seriously impact their lives.

Organizations whose members are mental health service providers, consumers, parents and advocates who have affiliated for the purpose of improving mental health services, preventing mental illness, promoting social conditions which enhance the potential for good mental health and advocating for an environment of awareness and tolerance. Many mental health associations provide information about and referral to local mental health resources, public education regarding mental illness, advocacy, and technical assistance and training on issues affecting their members.

Long or short-term care inpatient facilities, counseling agencies and therapists in private practice that offer diagnostic and treatment services for children, adolescents and/or adults who have an identifiable mental disorder such as depression or anxiety or for people who are experiencing difficult life transitions or are having problems coping with daily living.

State courts that handle LPS conservatorships and cases which involve psychiatric evaluations, investigations, hearings and trials related to the involuntary detention of people who are alleged to have severe emotional problems and who are unable or unwilling to seek voluntary care for themselves.

Alternative, nonresidential environment for people who have mental, emotional or social problems and which may offer recreational activities, socialization, individual or group counseling, mutual support group meetings, information and referral or other similar services.

Screening, diagnostic and treatment plans for people who are experiencing acute or chronic psychiatric problems. Screening services range from a comprehensive psychiatric or psychological evaluation to the administration of one or a combination of psychological tests to examine a particular personality variable. Services may be provided in a variety of settings including hospitals and community-based clinics.

Programs that provide diagnostic and treatment services for individuals whose psychiatric problems or other emotional difficulties are not severe enough to require 24-hour care but who can benefit from regular consultation and therapy with a mental health professional.

Financial assistance for mental health care expenses of people who are unable to obtain necessary care without assistance. Mental health expense assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.

Homes that provide congregate living arrangements and a wide variety of counseling and supportive services to facilitate the return to the community, if possible, of people who have received psychiatric treatment in an inpatient or residential treatment facility for acute or chronic mental or emotional disorders. Included are facilities that provide brief, intermediate and lifelong living arrangements in a sheltered environment.

Telephone numbers that provide immediate assistance for people whose emotional distress may range in severity from difficulty in coping with daily pressures to the crisis of a psychotic episode with the objective of defusing the crisis and helping the person develop a plan for establishing linkage with resources for ongoing assistance, if required. Hotline staff are generally available via the telephone, email, live chat and/or instant message (IM).

Mental health information and education are provided through a variety of channels that improve the public’s understanding of mental health and mental illness; the nature, etiology, diagnosis and treatment or management of specific mental disorders; and strategies for reducing the incidence of problems where possible. Mental health education programs help people make informed decisions about matters that affect their personal mental health and that of others. This information informs the public of the risk factors and signs of mental health problems, encourages people to take advantage of early detection programs, helps people modify behaviors that compromise their own mental health and provides support for family members and friends who are coping with mental illness or other mental health issues that have affected a loved one.

Education that improves the public’s understanding of mental health and mental illness and helps people make choices which promote personal mental health, takes advantage of opportunities for early detection, develops an awareness of available treatment options and supports their ability to deal with mental health problems when they arise. Mental health information/education programs provide information about a wide variety of mental health related diagnoses rather than specializing in a particular area; and may develop and disseminate materials whose objective is to dispel misconceptions about the nature of mental illness, marshal support for people who have a psychiatric disability or behavioral issue and help to remove the stigma that is often associated with mental illness.

Programs staffed by trained intervention specialists who work with family members, friends and others who are concerned about a loved one’s mental health problem. A meeting is planned, rehearsed and carried out during which the person is confronted with how their mental illness may be affecting their career, family life or physical health with the objective of persuading them to seek treatment. Assistance during the intervention including mediation, if required, and post-intervention support are generally available. The process can be used for many problem areas in life including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, gambling or sexual addiction, eating disorders and compulsive spending/credit problems.

A mental illness is a condition that impacts a person’s thinking, feeling or mood and may affect his or her ability to relate to others and function on a daily basis. Each person will have different experiences, even people with the same diagnosis.

Recovery, including meaningful roles in social life, school and work, is possible, especially when treatment is started early.

Mental Health Occupational Therapy is therapy with a goal to to help people with mood disorders, substance abuse problems or other mental disabilities develop the skills and obtain the supports necessary for independent, interdependent, productive living. Particular emphasis is given to interventions that result in improved quality of life and decrease hospitalization. Services may be provided in a variety of settings including adult day centers, day treatment centers, community rehabilitation programs, community mental health clinics, clubhouse programs, outpatient psychiatric clinics, foster care residences, sheltered workshops and group and private homes.

Organizations whose members are hypnotists, therapists or other mental health professionals who have affiliated for the purpose of promoting mutual interests, participating in mental health seminars and conferences, networking with their peers, subscribing to mental health journals and other publications, and taking advantage of other opportunities for continuing professional development. Many mental health associations set standards which relate to the qualifications and performance of members, may accept and investigate complaints from the public regarding the practices of members, may assist members who are having difficulty with their employers, may maintain referral services through which residents who require counseling are referred to members, and may act as advocates for the recipients of their services and for desired social change.

Programs that attempt to reduce the incidence of specific types of mental health issues such as problem gambling, suicidal feelings, sexual addiction, shopping addiction or cluttering through a variety of educational interventions in situations where prevention is a realistic option. The programs help people understand the nature of the problem, the impact of the issue on the lives of individuals and families, the risk factors and warning signs, and sources of treatment and support that are available in the community. Included may be printed materials, videos or websites that address the subject and presentations in schools and agencies and to family groups as well as information campaigns that are intended for the community at large.

Mutual support groups whose members are people who have specific social, emotional or other mental health problems. Families and friends may also be welcome. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; and provide an opportunity for participants to share information, practical tips for daily living and encouragement about issues related to the problem.

Mental health screenings are simple tests that people who are concerned about their emotional health can take to learn more about their symptoms and ways of coping with them. Individuals generally have an opportunity to see a film and/or hear a talk about the causes, symptoms and treatment of specific mental health problems; complete a screening questionnaire; and talk about the results with a mental health professional. People who test positively are encouraged to seek further evaluation and, potentially, treatment. Most mental health screenings are confidential and available at no cost. Mental health screenings may also be available by telephone or online.

Programs that offer early intervention, transitional care or other services that supplement and facilitate primary and adjunctive therapies; which offer community mental health education programs; or which link people who are in need of treatment with appropriate private providers.

Mental health warrants are orders which authorize law enforcement officers to apprehend, take into protective custody and transport an individual to an appropriate mental health facility for an emergency psychiatric evaluation and possible detention in situations where there is reasonable cause to believe that the person is a serious danger to him or herself or another, or is incapable of self-care. The individual can be held by the facility for a specified period of time, generally 72 hours, and then must either be released or, if additional treatment is needed, further court involvement is required.

An alteration in thinking, mood or behavior or some combination of those that either creates distress or interferes with people’s relationships or their ability function.

Programs that provide companionship, guidance and/or role models for individuals who are disadvantaged because of age, income, physical or developmental disabilities or family environment.

Transportation usually staffed by volunteer private pilots, that provide flight services for medical missions which may include transporting human organs and tissue for transplants; plasma or whole blood; anatomical specimens for medical research; medical personnel, equipment and supplies; and, in instances of medical and financial need, individual patients who require services from health care facilities that they would be unable to access without assistance. Also included are programs that provide compassionate, non-emergency long-distance ground transportation for patients in need, usually by bus.

Methadone maintenance utilizes controlled dosages of methadone, an addictive synthetic opiate which prevents the symptoms associated with heroin withdrawal, in order to support the efforts of abusers to abstain from use of heroin. The dosage of methadone is gradually reduced so that the individual’s dependency is reduced and, if possible, eventually eliminated.

Educational institutions that provide formal instruction for students in the seventh, eighth and ninth grades which focuses on a more advanced study of history, geography, social studies, science, literature, art, music, creative writing, physical education and languages, and which may broaden the curriculum to add a number of elective subjects.

Programs that provide an opportunity for high risk youth and young adults to meet in a supervised, safe environment during “high crime” evening and late night hours to play basketball and participate in mandatory pre-game educational workshops conducted by community organizations and agencies, e.g., Healthy Start programs, Private Industry Councils, the Urban League, county health agencies, the state employment development department, community colleges and others. The workshops address a wide variety of lifestyle issues such as job interview skills, financial management, AIDS awareness and screening, substance abuse prevention, interpersonal relationship skills, conflict resolution, prenatal care, financial management, entrepreneurial opportunities and cultural exposure. The objective of the program is to prevent high risk behavior, reduce the incidence of local crime and give participants an opportunity to engage in competitive play.

A clinical condition in which the individual’s level of intellectual functioning is within the IQ range of 50-70. Individuals with mild intellectual disabilities develop social and communication skills during the preschool period, have minimal impairment in sensorimotor areas, and often are not distinguishable from other children until a later age when the child enters school and begins to experience academic difficulties. By late teens, people with mild intellectual disabilities can learn academic skills up to approximately the sixth grade level; and during the adult years, they can usually achieve social and vocational skills that are adequate for minimum self-support, but may need guidance and assistance when under unusual social or economic stress.

Mini trials offer a private, voluntary alternative to a full court trial which involves a period of limited discovery and information exchange between attorneys for both parties to a civil dispute followed by a presentation before responsible agents for each side who have authority to settle and a neutral advisor. The responsible agents then attempt to reach a settlement. The neutral third party presides over the mini-trial and can become an arbitrator or mediator as needed.

Minimum wage/hour standards are laws which establish a minimum hourly pay rate for employees, conditions for overtime pay and a maximum work week.

Mobility aids are equipment or other products which enhance the ability of people who have physical or visual impairments to move about with greater comfort and ease.

Mobility assistance service animals are animals who have been taught to provide personal assistance such as pulling wheelchairs or fetching items for people with physical disabilities who have limited mobility.

Mobility assistance services dogs are service dogs who have been taught to pick up dropped items, carry backpacks for books and other valuables, operate light switches, push elevator buttons, ring doorbells, open and close doors, pull wheelchairs up hills or over curbs and provide other types of personal assistance for people with physical disabilities who have limited mobility. Some mobility assistance dogs serve as “walker dogs” who steady Parkinson’s patients and people recovering from an injury while walking. If the individual falls, the dog may also be trained to act as a brace to help the person regain their feet.

A clinical condition in which the individual’s level of intellectual functioning is within the IQ range of 35-49. Individuals with moderate intellectual disabilities can talk and learn to communicate during the preschool period but have poor awareness of social conventions. School-aged individuals with moderate intellectual disabilities are capable of learning academic skills on a kindergarten through third grade level. In adult life, they are capable of supervised, unskilled employment (e.g., in a sheltered environment), and generally need supervision in independent living.

Private schools for preschool age children whose curriculums follow the system of training young children developed by Maria Montessori which emphasizes free physical activity, informal and individualized instruction, early development of writing and reading skills and extended sensory motor training.

Disorders that are characterized by disturbances of mood, i.e., a recurrent series of episodes in which the individual suffers from depression, excessive feelings of well-being or a combination of the two.

To issue license plates for automobiles and other motor vehicles as evidence vehicles have been registered with the proper authorities and are authorized to be parked or driven on public roads and highways.

If a parent decides that the Early Intervention (EIP) can help their child and family, the next step is to have the child evaluated. This evaluation is called a Multidisciplinary Evaluation (MDE). “Multidisciplinary” means that a team of qualified professionals from different disciplines or professions will take part in the child’s evaluation. Children with certain diagnosed conditions are automatically eligible for the EIP. For these children, the purpose of the MDE is to assess the child’s strengths, needs, and current level of functioning in all areas of development. The five areas of development that will be looked at to assist in developing the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) are: cognitive (learning and thinking), physical (growth, vision and hearing, gross and fine motor abilities), communication (understanding and using words), social-emotional (relating to others), and adaptive (self-help skills, such as feeding). If suspected of having a developmental delay, your child will be evaluated to determine if he or she is eligible for early intervention services and supports.

A combination of two or more significant cognitive, physical and/or sensory disabilities.

A type of factitious disorder in which the patient may practice self-mutilation and deception in order to feign acute medical illness with the objective of being hospitalized and receiving medical or surgical treatment. When detected, the patient typically leaves one hospital and appears in the emergency room of another. Also included is Munchausen syndrome by proxy in which a parent (typically the mother) deliberately injures a child to obtain the same objective.

A form of therapy which uses music and music-related activities to address the physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs of individuals with mental, physical or developmental disabilities, substance abuse disorders, chronic health conditions or other problems. Music therapists assess emotional well-being, physical health, social functioning, communication abilities, and cognitive skills through musical responses; and design music sessions for individuals and groups based on client needs using music improvisation, receptive music listening, song writing, lyric discussion, music and imagery, music performance and learning through music. Music can thus be used as a passive agent as in the case of listening to music to aid in reminiscence, reality orientation or relaxation; or as an active creative process in which the individual participates in musical production. Through musical involvement in the therapeutic context, clients’ abilities are strengthened and transferred to other areas of their lives. Music therapy also provides avenues for communication that can be helpful to those who find it difficult to express themselves in words.

An online tool where New York State residents can find out whether they are eligible and apply online for various public benefit/assistance programs including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), and more. myBenefits.ny.gov

The NDI AT Loan Program provides low-interest loans to people with disabilities, seniors and veterans through participating financial institutions. Assistive Technology (AT) loans include home and vehicle modification, ramps, computers, hearing aids and other equipment that will increase individuals’ independence, productivity and quality of life. Currently, loans range from $500 to a maximum of $10,000 at eight percent interest, and with terms up to 36 months.

Assistance in filing applications by lawful permanent residents who have been in that status for at least five years (or three years if married to a U.S. citizen), who meet other eligibility requirements and who wish to become naturalized U.S. citizens. Applicants must pass a citizenship examination to determine whether they can speak and read English and have a knowledge of the fundamentals of American government, history and the Constitution; and must take an oath of allegiance to the United States.

Programs mandated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that help individuals who want to purchase insurance, and small businesses that need to provide health insurance for their employees, understand the qualified private health plans that are available within the marketplace and guide them through the enrollment process. The navigator conducts public education activities to raise awareness about the marketplace; distributes fair, accurate and impartial information concerning enrollment including information that acknowledges other health programs such as Medicaid and the Children?›ƒ?ªƒ?›s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the availability of premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions; provides referrals for consumers with a grievance, question or complaint; and offers information that is culturally and linguistically appropriate to meet the needs of the population served by the marketplace. Navigators are trained to offer expertise on each health insurance plan with the objective of empowering individuals to make informed choices and to facilitate selection of a qualified health plan; and either have or can easily establish relationships with the target population.

Individuals younger than age 18 who have been subjected to a persistent pattern of neglect which involves the failure of parents or caretakers to provide adequate food, shelter, clothing, protection, supervision, or medical and dental care for the child.

Any of a variety of conditions that are the result of an injury to or impairment of the central nervous system.

Parenting seminars, frequently taught by experienced fathers who bring their own babies to class, that help to prepare expectant fathers for their parenting role. The workshops provide opportunities to discuss a variety of issues with “veteran” dads such as bonding with the baby, balancing work and time spent with the baby, stretching their income, developing a parenting team, supporting the needs of a new mom, dealing with advice and criticism from relatives, and managing stress and health and safety issues; and include opportunities to practice feeding and burping a baby, changing diapers, holding and comforting a baby, playing with a baby, soothing a crying baby and other tasks related to parenting a newborn. Some programs focus on the parenting needs of a particular ethnic group, deal with cultural issues related to fatherhood and may be available in a language other than English.

Infants who are in their first weeks of life.

The No-Wrong Door/Single Point of Entry Plan of Care (NWD/SEP) offers individuals all the long-term services and supports (LTSS) that the individual qualifies for and that are demonstrated to be necessary through the evaluation and assessment process. The plan of care must be based on medical necessity (for example, needs-based criteria), not on available funding. The Plan is informed by the individual’s functional assessment.

Programs, which may be offered by commercial weight loss businesses, that offer structured diets, generally in combination with a program of physical activity, as a means of losing weight. The program may offer the services of counselors (who usually are not health care providers and may or may not have training) to help participants implement the program; provide access to books, pamphlets and websites (which should be prepared or reviewed by health care providers) as sources of weight-loss information; and may require participants to use prepackaged meals and/or supplements such as bars and shakes or other weight-loss products provided by the program.

Programs, not supervised by medical personnel and often staffed by recovering alcoholics, that provide a safe and comfortable environment in which individuals who are physically dependent on alcohol go through the withdrawal period. Staff are trained to administer first aid and to recognize the danger signals which indicate the need for medical intervention. Non-medically assisted programs are not suitable for people who have heart conditions, seizure disorders, a history of DT’s or other similar health problems.

Organizations whose members are foundations, nonprofit organizations or individuals who have affiliated for the purpose of increasing public awareness and understanding of corporate and charitable giving and the role it plays in society and promoting the practice of charitable giving and voluntarism on the part of individuals and organizations. Also included are organizations that study the general role of philanthropy in society and seek to promote the practice of charitable giving and voluntarism on the part of individuals and organizations.

Private educational institutions at preschool, elementary or secondary levels that are established for the purpose of providing educational services for exceptional learners. Included are special residential schools as well as private special day schools. Parents may place an exceptional child in the private school of their choice at public expense if the district cannot provide an appropriate educational program for that child.

Services for students with disabilities who are unable to take their own notes during classes, lectures, etc.

Programs that are designed to assist institutionalized residents, or those about to be discharged from a hospital to a nursing home, to return to the community to live in a less restrictive setting. Some transition programs are funded using Medicaid and therefore require that eligible participants be Medicaid recipients. Other programs have been created using state or local funds. The programs typically provide case management and, unless other funding sources are available, provide funding for and link program participants to existing home and community based services, home modification programs, assistive technology equipment, assisted living facilities or other supported housing options and/or other needed services.

Assistance in the form of coupons or vouchers that can be exchanged for food to ensure that the nutritional needs of low-income individuals and families are met. Such programs include Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children).

NY Connects, maintained by the New York State Office for the Aging, provides information about long-term services and supports in New York State for people of all ages or with any type of disability. Information is provided by phone, online, or in person. Call 1 (800) 342-9871 to talk about your long-term service and support options or schedule an in-person visit. NY Connects staff will be glad to assist you.

The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene was formed in 2002 by the merger of the former Department of Health and Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services. The agency’s mandate is to protect and promote the health and mental hygiene of all New Yorkers.  (Mental hygiene, which includes mental illness, developmental disabilities, and chemical dependencies, is considered to be inextricably linked to general health.)  Responsibilities range from monitoring health and mental health status to issuing birth and death certificates, inspecting restaurants, addressing tuberculosis, AIDS/HIV and other diseases, to funding and overseeing programs that treat people with mental illness and/or chemical dependency and serve people with mental retardation.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh

The NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) was created in 1996 to provide the City of New York with high-quality youth and family programming. Our central task is administering available City, state, and federal funds to effective community-based organizations.  DYCD supports New York City youth and their families by funding a wide range of high-quality youth and community development programs, including:

• The Comprehensive Afterschool System of NYC;
• Beacon Community Centers; Cornerstone Community Centers; Fatherhood Initiative;
• Immigration services;
• Jobs and Internships for Youth;
• Literacy Programs for Adults and Adolescents;
• Runaway and Homeless Youth services; and
• The Summer Youth Employment Program DYCD is also the designated Community Action Agency for New York City, which is the local grantee for the Federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG). CSBG funding supports a wide variety of programs that address the conditions of poverty.

www.nyc.gov/html/dycd

NYS Alternate Assessment is a portfolio assessment used to measure academic achievement in students with severe cognitive disabilities. The NYSAA is administered annually to students in grades 3-8 and one time when students are in high school.

In 1948, the New York State Legislature created the Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) to provide school districts with a program of shared educational services.  BOCES programs are established when two or more school districts decide they have similar needs that can be met by a shared program. BOCES helps school districts save money by providing opportunities to pool resources and share costs.  BOCES services are often customized offering districts the flexibility to meet their individual needs. A large percentage of BOCES programs and services are instructional. Examples include vocational-technical programs for high school students, physical, speech and occupational therapy for students with disabilities, and literacy programs for adults.

Each BOCES is governed by a board of education, which is made up of representatives from component districts. Members are elected by component school board members. BOCES board members do not need to be local school board members, but they must be eligible voters in component school districts of that BOCES.

www.boces.org

Operated by the NYS Department of Labor, Career Centers are located across the state. They provide convenient no cost job search services to job-seekers. Services include: career counseling; skills assessment; resume development; career workshops (such as job search strategies, networking, interview skills, etc.); computer and internet access; computer workshops; Adult Basic Education/English as a Second Language; phones, faxes and copiers; career resource library; job search resources and job placement assistance; vocational classroom training for those that qualify; financial aid for training; online Talent Bank; access to qualified service providers; and referrals to other educational, training and social services. The department’s career center website has a career center locator tool that uses zip codes to locate a center closest to where you live.

www.labor.ny.gov/career-center-locator/

The NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Equipment Loan Fund for the Disabled can help individuals purchase equipment that will improve the quality of daily life.

Currently, the Equipment Loan Fund allows individuals to borrow up to $4,000, with an interest rate of 4%, and can be used to purchase wheelchairs, wheelchair van lifts, ramps, and adaptive equipment.

The Family Court is part of the state’s Unified Court System.  It hears matters involving children and families. It has the authority to make legal decisions over the following types of cases:

• Abused or Neglected Children
• Child Protective Proceeding
• Adoption
• Custody & Visitation
• Domestic Violence (Family Offense)
• Foster Care Approval & Review
• Guardianship
• Juvenile Delinquency
• Paternity
• Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS)
• Child and/or Spousal Support

Each county has a family court and New York City has a Family Court in each of the five boroughs.

http://www.nycourts.gov/

The New York State Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives (OPCA) is an office within the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). OPCA consists of three different service components: evaluation, counseling, and crisis. OPCA helps local jurisdictions and offers specialized services that are supported by research including employment, training, and treatment – all of which substantially contribute to successful and longstanding outcomes.  

www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/

The NYS Supplement Program (SSP) provides state-funded financial assistance to aged, blind and disabled individuals and is part of the monthly benefit paid to most recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provided through the U.S. Social Security Administration.

The Office of Addiction Services and and Supports (OASAS) recognizes that real people on the local level can affect lasting change. A community coalition is a group of concerned citizens, big or small, working to shift attitudes, norms, and stigma, around substance use and prevention. All that is needed is a small, committed group of people to create real change for generations.

A disorder that is characterized by recurrent, persistent ideas, thoughts, images or impulses that invade consciousness and are experienced as senseless, anxiety provoking or repugnant; or repetitive and ritualistic behavior that is not an end in itself but designed, in the mind of the individual, to help bring about or prevent some future event or situation. Common obsessions include repetitive thoughts of violence, (killing one’s child), contamination (becoming infected by shaking hands), and doubt (repeatedly wondering whether one has performed some action such as having hurt someone in a traffic accident). The most common compulsions involve repetitive hand washing, repetitive counting of certain things like cracks in the sidewalk, repetitive checking to see that a door is locked or a light is out, or repetitive touching of an object or a part of the body to make something happen or prevent it from occurring.

A personality disorder that is characterized by the tendency to be overly inhibited, overly conscientious, and to rigidly adhere to certain standards or values. The individual’s personal, social or occupational functioning is substantially impaired by a restricted ability to express warm and tender emotions; perfectionism that interferes with their ability to appreciate what they do achieve and focus on the gestalt of the task instead of each detail; insistence that others submit to their way of doing things and a lack of awareness of the feelings elicited by this behavior; excessive devotion to work and productivity to the exclusion of pleasure and the value of personal relations; and/or indecisiveness in that decision making is avoided, postponed or protracted, perhaps because of an inordinate fear of a mistake.

Food pantries that provide a box or bag of groceries on a one-time only or other limited basis for people who are unable to provide food for themselves or their families. Included are programs that provide enough food for an entire balanced meal or series of meals and those that provide a supplemental supply of groceries. Some programs deliver food to people whose disabilities or illnesses make it difficult for them to leave home.

Training in the technical competencies unique to a specific occupation that are required for successful workplace performance. The training may be delivered in a variety of ways including apprenticeships, business practice firms, classroom training, internships, OJT or work experience; or may take place in a combination of settings, on-the-job training supported by formal classroom training, for example, or classroom training followed by an internship.

Therapy that evaluates the task performance skills of individuals who may be having difficulty engaging in self-care, work, play or leisure time activities and help people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). Occupational therapy services typically include an individualized evaluation, during which the individual/family and occupational therapist agree on the person’s goals; customized intervention to improve the person’s ability to perform daily activities and reach their goals; and an outcomes evaluation to ensure that the goals are being met. Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing supports for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes.

Mutual support groups whose members are people who have been incarcerated in a correctional facility and are seeking support for their return to the community and their ability to remain crime-free. The groups allow participants to share their experience, strengths and hopes; discuss strategies for avoiding substance abuse, gang involvement, or other criminal activity; and pursue a commitment to going back to school, finding and retaining a job and mending partner and family relationships. Meeting formats may include in-person, telephone or Internet options.

The NYS Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services (ACCES-VR) is part of the NYS Education Department. It focuses on the education and employment needs of New York State’s adult Vocational Rehabilitation (including Independent Living Administration), Adult Education, High School Equivalency/GED, and Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision. (Former acronym – VESID)

www.acces.nysed.gov/vr

Residential facilities for older adults and/or people with disabilities who are unable to function in an independent living environment because they need assistance with toileting, bathing, dressing, medication management and administration, meals and housekeeping and other activities of daily living, but do not require nursing care on a regular basis. Living options range from state institutions for individuals with the most severe disabilities who require intensive services to settings that enable individuals with disabilities to live with their own families or in their own homes or apartments with supportive services from community-based supported living providers. Alternatives in between include health care facilities for people with a primary need for developmental services in combination with an intermittent need for skilled nursing care; community care facilities (residential care homes or group homes) for people who require varying levels of supervision and assistance in the activities of daily living; assisted living facilities; continuing care retirement communities; life care communities; foster family placements for adults who will benefit from interaction in a family environment; and semi-independent living facilities for individuals with disabilities who need minimal levels of support to live and work in the community. Some of these facilities are licensed by the state.

Employment arrangements in which people are called into work only when they are needed.

Public, academic and special libraries or other organizations that provide online resources and/or search services for people who want to access OCLC’s (Online Computer Library Center) FirstSearch collection of databases, the National Library of Medicine’s MEDLINE, the U.S. Department of Education’s ERIC and other databases that contain digitized versions of articles and information from print sources such as magazines, newspapers, journals and reference books as well as music and other content. Lexis/Nexis, Micromedia ProQuest, Ebsco and Gale/Cengage are among the major vendors.

Adoptions which allow for some form of association among birth parents, adoptive parents and adoptees. In open adoptions, information about the adoptive parents and the birth parents (e.g., last names, addresses, and telephone numbers) is exchanged providing an opportunity for the adopted child to develop a relationship with his or her birth family. Whether ongoing contact is monthly, annually or sporadic depends on the parties and is generally decided by them rather than an agency or lawyer.

Institutions of higher education that have liberal admissions policies, feature external degree programs and often use nontraditional delivery systems such as telecourses. Many programs target midcareer professionals who are given academic credit for relevant aspects of their working experience.

Individuals who have a physical dependency on any of a variety of opiates including heroin, opium, nonprescription methadone and morphine; or whose use of these narcotics has impaired their health or their personal, social or occupational functioning. Opiates are used illicitly for the physical and psychological symptoms they produce including insensitivity to physical or emotional pain, euphoria, drowsiness and sleep. Principal dangers include the risk of an overdose which may result in death through respiratory depression; severe withdrawal symptoms if the drug is withheld; and associated health problems including the risk of hepatitis, blood poisoning, abscesses of the liver, brain and lungs and AIDS.

A disorder of childhood and adolescence that is characterized by a consistent, severe pattern of disobedience, negativism and provocative opposition to authority figures, especially parents and teachers, even in situations where such behavior is detrimental to the interests and well-being of the individual involved. Defiant behaviors include persistent stubbornness, resistance to directions, and unwillingness to compromise, give in, or negotiate with adults or peers, but not the serious physical aggression and interference with the rights of others associated with conduct disorder.

Oral health refers to the health of the mouth, teeth, and gums.

Oral speech aids are devices such as amplifiers, clarifiers and artificial larynges which make an individual’s residual speech more intelligible.

Training that helps people who are blind or who have visual impairments develop the fundamental spatial concepts and skills that are necessary for maximum mobility and independent living. Instruction focuses on moving safely and purposefully in the school, home or community environment; and usually includes procedures for street crossings, travel in unfamiliar areas, utilization of public transportation, and appropriate use of aids such as sighted guides or canes. Training for persons who want to acquire the skills to be a sighted guide may also be provided.

Therapy used to treat mental illness, especially schizophrenia, may be cured by restoring the optimum amounts of vitamins, minerals, trace elements and other substances that are normally present in the body.

Internal orthopedic devices (such as hip and knee implants, spinal fusion implants, fracture fixation devices and reconstructive joint devices or bone matrix devices) to provide stability or correct problems that currently exist there; or external orthotic appliances such as back and leg braces, corsets, splints, heel cups, arch supports, insoles and other equipment that is prescribed to remediate problems caused by fractures, arthritis, bone disease or disorders of the back, hips, spine, hands and other extremities.

Respite care that provides a brief period of rest or relief for family members, guardians or others who are regular caregivers for children and/or dependent adults by offering temporary or intermittent care for the individual(s) in a community setting/facility.

Outpatient commitment is the process of obtaining a court order that directs an individual with a serious mental disorder to adhere to a prescribed outpatient treatment plan as a condition for remaining in the community. The order may require that the person attend therapy sessions, comply with a medication regime, or participate in mental health programs; and may direct that the individual be hospitalized if the outpatient treatment order is not followed in situations where the criteria for involuntary hospitalization are met; or may be issued as a condition for the release of a patient who has been involuntarily hospitalized. In some jurisdictions, voluntary compliance with the treatment plan is required unless the person is found “incapable of consenting” under the law. In others, outpatient commitment orders are issued as a stay of involuntary hospitalization proceedings as a way of encouraging voluntary outpatient treatment. If the patient complies fully with the required outpatient treatment plan during the stay of the proceeding, the petition for commitment is dismissed. If the patient fails to comply with the outpatient treatment plan, the proceeding is reconvened and a commitment order is generally issued.

Drug detoxification under the supervision of trained physicians, nurses or counselors on an outpatient basis in a medical clinic or other similar setting that provide assistance and support including medical treatment and possibly prescription drugs to help individuals who are physically dependent on drugs other than opiates (e.g., cocaine, amphetamines, benzodiazepines) during the withdrawal period.

Detoxification under the supervision of trained physicians, nurses or counselors on an outpatient basis in a medical clinic or other similar setting that provide assistance and support including medical treatment and possibly prescription drugs to help individuals who are physically dependent on alcohol during the withdrawal period.

Mental health facilities that provide walk-in, walk-out diagnostic and treatment services for children, adolescents and/or adults who have acute or chronic psychiatric disorders but do not need 24-hour care; and/or provide counseling services for individuals, couples, families and extended family groups who may be experiencing difficulty resolving personal or interpersonal conflicts or making personal adjustments to stressful life situations such as separation, divorce, widowhood, loss of a child, poor health, unemployment, family violence, delinquency or substance abuse.

Outpatient Services provide treatment and rehabilitation in settings such as clinics, partial hospital programs, day treatment, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), and Personalized Recovery-Oriented Services (PROS).

People who have difficulty controlling their compulsion to eat more food than they require or who eat the wrong foods (e.g., foods with high amounts of sugar, fat, salt, carbohydrates or other similar substances).

Individuals who have difficulty controlling their compulsion to spend money they do not have.

Equipment which forces room air through a special filtering system which allows only molecules of oxygen to pass. It provides a steady flow of oxygen at the rate and concentration prescribed by the physician and delivers the oxygen to the individual through a nasal cannula (tube) or mask. Included are programs that loan oxygen concentrators and those that provide equipment that people can keep.

Oxygen system accessories are oxygen masks, oxygen regulators, oxygen cylinder wrenches, nasal cannula, oxygen tubing, respiratory gas demand valves, endotracheal (ET) tube holders, tracheostomy supplies and other types of accessories that are used in conjunction with oxygen concentrators, portable and stationary oxygen units, nebulizers, ventilator circuits, and other respiratory aids.

Disorders that are marked by recurrent anxiety attacks which involve the sudden and uncontrollable onset of apprehension, fear or terror, often coupled with feelings of impending doom. Physical symptoms may include chest pain or discomfort, choking or smothering sensations, dizziness, vertigo, hot and cold flashes, sweating, faintness, trembling or shaking, difficulty in breathing and feelings of unreality. Panic attacks occur unpredictably, but they may consistently arise and become associated with a particular situation, e.g., driving a car.

Short-term, high intensity programs modeled after military basic training whose objective is to motivate troubled adolescents who are on the edge of delinquency through activities which emphasize the importance of consistency and obedience. The programs are preventive rather than remedial in nature and vary widely in length from one or two day sessions to four to six week camps, often offered in wilderness settings, to the 22-week residential program offered by the National Guard which includes a 12-month aftercare phase.

A personality disorder that is characterized by unwarranted and pervasive suspiciousness and mistrust of people; hypersensitivity, and restricted affectivity which may be manifested by the individual’s being cold and unemotional; feelings of pride in always being objective and rational; the lack of a true sense of humor; and the absence of passive, soft, tender and sentimental feelings.

Flexibly scheduled and routed transportation services using low capacity vehicles such as vans for community residents who do not have private transportation and are unable to use the fixed-route public transportation system. Paratransit services generally operate within normal urban transit corridors or rural areas; and may be used by the general public or limited to special populations such as people who are elderly or have a disability, individuals who are not in a sober enough condition to drive their own vehicles or people who are endangered.

Vouchers for community-operated paratransit services which are provided by senior centers and other organizations for people who qualify or are in need.

Programs that provide flexibly scheduled and routed door-to-door (or curb-to-curb) transportation services for the general public. Patrons generally have no private transportation and are unable to use the fixed-route public transportation system; or live in a rural area not served by a public transit system.

Parent counseling provides a wide variety of therapeutic interventions for parents who are experiencing emotional difficulties or conflicts concerning their role as parents. Parent counseling includes individual or group counseling for one or both parents or conjoint parent counseling which focuses on and explores the mental, emotional or social problems of the individual(s) which contribute to their parenting problems.

Mutual support groups for parents who share a common characteristic or circumstance such as being single parents, dual career parents, multiple birth parents, parents with children who are out of control, or parents of children with disabilities, who come together for educational and social purposes as well as for mutual support. Meeting formats may include in-person, telephone or Internet options.

Parent to parent networking links parents whose children have a specific disease, disorder, disability or other issues with other parents whose children have similar challenges for the purpose of information sharing and support. 

Parent, family and community involvement in helping children succeed in school. Using a variety of involvement models, these programs encourage parents to support their children’s schooling by working directly with their children on learning activities in the home and serving as an advocate for better education in their community. Parents are encouraged to model desirable behavior (e.g., reading for pleasure), discuss school matters at home, arrange for appropriate study space, organize and monitor their children’s time, check homework on a regular basis, tutor their children at home, help older students make postsecondary plans and select courses which support these plans, advocate for their children when required, attend school functions, discuss their children’s progress with teachers, join the PTA, vote in school board elections, attend school board meetings and, where possible, volunteer to help with school activities, work in the classroom and/or take an active role in governance and decision making about school programs at the community, state or national level.

Classes, workshops or other educational opportunities for parents or potential parents who want to acquire the knowledge and skills to be effective in their parenting role.

Helplines that operate a telephone counseling and information line for parents to call when they have childhood development questions, need advice regarding a specific parenting problem or need a referral for parenting resources.

Parenting materials include a wide variety of resources including books, audiotapes, video cassettes and learning games that provide information, techniques and suggestions for activities which enable parents to be more effective in their parenting role.

Parenting skills classes teach skills that enable parents to deal constructively and consistently with a broad spectrum of child rearing problems which may include: sibling rivalry; school behavior and performance; poor self-esteem; shyness; drug use; sexual promiscuity; and the whole range of negative, acting-out behaviors including whining, temper tantrums, disobedience, insolence and destructiveness. Some parenting skills development programs utilize a step-by-step approach for managing specific problems and may incorporate application at home of techniques that were discussed and practiced in the classroom setting. Other programs may offer participatory family workshops which provide opportunities for parents and children to learn and practice methods for dealing with one another under the guidance of a trained facilitator. Most training programs teach the parent a particular way of talking and relating to their children that reinforces positive behaviors and communication and decreases negative behaviors while supporting the development of a relationship that is built on fairness, mutual caring and respect.

Mutual support groups whose members are individuals who have experiences relating to adoption, birth control, family planning, pregnancy, childbirth, foster care, kinship care, marriage, parenting, separation/divorce, single parenting, step families, blended families, grandparent rights or other family situations. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; and provide an opportunity for participants to share their experience, strengths and hopes, understand their relationships and work through related emotions.

The lawful mother and father of a person. Included are the natural mother or father of a child born to a valid marriage; the adoptive father or mother of a child jointly adopted by them; the natural mother of an illegitimate child if she is the sole guardian; the child’s putative parent who has expressly acknowledged paternity and has contributed to the child’s support; and any individual whose status as guardian of the child has been established by statute.

Parents who have had one or more children removed from the home and placed in foster care or another out-of-home care setting.

The natural or adoptive mothers and fathers of individuals who have physical, sensory, developmental, cognitive, mental or emotional limitations, whose own patterns of personal, social and familial coping have been significantly affected by their responsibility for and concern about the person.

Parents who have physical, sensory, cognitive, mental or emotional limitations that affect their ability to engage in one or more major life activities.

Parking permits are special decals or other official devices that authorize the bearer to park his or her vehicle in specified restricted areas. Included are parking stickers for people who have disabilities; overnight, weekend or special events parking passes; and other similar permits.

Public recreational facilities and grounds which can be used for a variety of leisure-time activities. Included are amusement parks, beaches, camps, public gardens, harbor/marina areas, zoos and a broad range of recreational facilities that are available in community; state and national parks; schools and universities; and other recreational areas.

Private schools for preschool age children that are established, controlled and financially supported by religious institutions.

Parole provides for the formal supervision of people who have been conditionally released from jail, prison or other confinement after serving part of the term for which they were sentenced based on the judgment of a parole board that there is a reasonable probability that they will live and remain at liberty without violating the law. People who are on parole remain in the legal custody of the state and may be reincarcerated if they violate the terms of their parole order.

Part-time employment requires the job holder to work less than the legal definition of full-time work within a particular jurisdiction.

A partial hospitalization program provides active treatment designed to stabilize and ameliorate acute symptoms, to serve as an alternative to inpatient hospitalization, or to reduce the length of a hospital stay within a medically supervised program. A partial hospitalization program provides the following services: assessment and treatment planning, health screening and referral, symptom management, medication therapy, medication education, verbal therapy, case management, psychiatric rehabilitation readiness determination and referral, crisis intervention services, activity therapy, discharge planning and clinical support services.

A condition in which affected individuals have remaining visual acuity between 20/200 and 20/70 in the better eye with maximal correction.

A personality disorder that is characterized by resistance to adequate performance in social and occupational areas. The resistance is expressed indirectly through maneuvers such as procrastination, dawdling, stubbornness, intentional inefficiency and forgetfulness. Individuals who have this disorder persist in the passive-aggressive pattern of behavior even under circumstances in which more assertive behavior is possible.

Departments within hospitals, HMOs and other health care institutions that provide for the spiritual care of patients with severe, chronic or terminal conditions, their families and staff, regardless of their religious traditions. Pastoral care workers work cooperatively with the health care team; listen, elicit and respond to individual religious/spiritual needs; identify and clarify ethical issues related to end-of-life treatment and care; provide bereavement support for family members, significant others and professional staff; and ensure that treatment addresses the whole person, not just his or her medical needs. The service is provided by licensed clergy or trained, accredited spiritual care volunteers.

The pervasive pattern of intentionally making false statements with the aim of deceiving others, sometimes without a clear or apparent reason, or even if the truth is beneficial to the liar. Individuals who engage in pathological lying often claim to be unaware of the motivations behind their lies.

Offices in hospitals and other health care institutions that answer patient questions about their accounts, billings, or insurance.

Patient to patient networking links individuals who have a particular type of illness with others having the same illness for the purpose of information sharing and support.

Temporary living quarters for people who are ill and for their families while the individual who is ill receives treatment or care. Included are programs that make it possible for family members to stay in local hotels, motels or other settings at no cost or a reduced cost, hotels and motels that provide discounts for people who are visiting an ill family member and programs that maintain special facilities for this purpose.

Programs for children and adults with serious illnesses and/or their families that make them feel better about themselves or help them forget about their situation, at least for a time. Included are programs that arrange for celebrity visits, clowns, musical performances, portrait photography and other morale boosting types of patient and family support.

Offices in hospitals or medical clinics that provide advocacy, social work services, or assistance related to admissions or billing; temporary housing for patients/families; mercy flights; morale boosting activities; and other services that support the ability of patients and their families to cope with illness.

A federal volunteer service program that provides opportunities for people to volunteer their time and work for low wages on projects whose objective is to help developing countries make improvements in the areas of agricultural/rural development, health and education.

Pediatric home nursing are health care services that provided by registered nurses who may have advanced training and who specialize in providing care for children.

Pediatric occupational therapy evaluates the skills of children who are having difficulty with the practical and social skills necessary for everyday life and provide therapy whose objective is to help them become as physically, psychologically and socially independent as possible. Occupational therapy is provided for children when there is a disruption in one or more of the following areas: gross motor skills, fine motor skills, cognitive-perceptual skills, sensory motor integration, visual motor skills, motor planning skills, play skills, socio-emotional skills and/or activities of daily living (self-care skills such as dressing, eating and personal hygiene). Included are programs for children with birth injuries, learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism and a wide range of other conditions.

Hospital housing programs or facilities maintained by other organizations that can be used by critically ill children and their families as a peaceful and relaxing respite from the physical and emotional stress of the treatment routine.

Programs that offer the services of volunteers who have admirable qualities of character and are willing to serve as role models for youth who are troubled and at risk for delinquency, adults who are disadvantaged by poverty, health conditions or other problems or other special populations who need the friendship and support of a peer to improve their personal and social functioning. The volunteers are usually of a particular age, gender, cultural background or other status that clients can identify with.

Peer to peer networking links individuals who have a particular disability or condition or have specific types of life experiences and are interested in meeting or corresponding with others who have similar disabilities, conditions or experiences for the purpose of information sharing and support.

People-first language emphasizes the person first, not the disability. It aims to avoid perceived and subconscious dehumanization when discussing people with disabilities and is sometimes referred to as a type of disability etiquette. People-first language can also be applied to any group that is defined by a condition rather than as a people: for example, “people who live on the street” rather than “homeless.”

The basic idea is to use a sentence structure that names the person first and the condition second, for example “people with disabilities” rather than “disabled people” or “disabled”, in order to emphasize that “they are people first”. 

By using such a sentence structure, the speaker articulates the idea of a disability as a secondary attribute, not a characteristic of a person’s identity.

The term people-first language first appears in 1988 as recommended by advocacy groups in the United States. 

Comprehensive treatment services on a residential, outpatient or day treatment basis for alcohol abusing women who are pregnant and/or are parenting children, generally age three or younger including those who have alcohol-exposed babies. Services may include individual and group counseling, 12-step meetings, social and recreational activities, educational and vocational services, life skills training, primary health care, perinatal health care, a program for family members, relapse prevention services, a continuing care program and a wide array of supportive services such as child care, transportation and parenting skills development. The objective of the program is to help these women restructure their lives so that they can handle their parenting responsibilities as well as remain alcohol-free.

Comprehensive treatment services on a residential, outpatient or day treatment basis for drug abusing women who are pregnant and/or are parenting children, generally age three or younger including those who have drug-exposed babies. Services may include individual and group counseling, 12-step meetings, social and recreational activities, educational and vocational services, life skills training, primary health care, perinatal health care, HIV testing and counseling, AIDS prevention, a program for family members, relapse prevention services, a continuing care program and a wide array of supportive services such as child care, transportation and parenting skills development. The objective of the program is to help these women restructure their lives so that they can handle their parenting responsibilities as well as remain drug-free.

Comprehensive treatment services on a residential, outpatient or day treatment basis for substance abusing women who are pregnant and/or are parenting children, generally age three or younger, including those who have drug or alcohol-exposed babies. Services may include individual and group counseling, 12-step meetings, social and recreational activities, educational and vocational services, life skills training, primary health care, perinatal health care, HIV testing and counseling, AIDS prevention, a program for family members, relapse prevention services, a continuing care program and a wide array of supportive services such as child care, transportation and parenting skills development. The objective of the program is to help these women restructure their lives so that they can handle their parenting responsibilities as well as remain drug-free.

A condition experienced by some women immediately before or following delivery of a child which is characterized by feelings of sadness and inadequacy, lack of feeling for the baby, overconcern for the baby, crying for no reason, inability to concentrate, changes in sleeping patterns, numbness, anger, anxiety, exaggerated highs and lows and thoughts of suicide.

Services that help children in the child welfare system locate and maintain lifetime family connections. Permanence should bring physical, legal and emotional safety and security within the context of a family relationship and allow multiple relationships with a variety of caring adults while ensuring that youth in care have life skills for independence. Permanence can be the result of preservation of the family; reunification with birth family; or legal guardianship or adoption by kin, fictive kin, or other caring and committed adults. It also includes efforts to achieve and maintain other lifelong relationships such as with siblings, extended family members, mentors and childhood friends.

Permanent placement supervision provides for long-term supervision and ongoing services for children who are in permanent placement outside their homes.

Person Centered Planning is an ongoing problem-solving process used to help people with disabilities plan for their future. In person centered planning, groups of people focus on an individual and that person’s vision of what they would like to do in the future.

Services of paraprofessional aides who provide assistance with personal hygiene (bathing, grooming and mouth care), clothing care, ambulation, seating, toileting, housekeeping (changing bed linens or other chores that are essential to the individual’s health and comfort), food preparation and nutritional and environmental support for recently discharged hospital patients, elderly people and people with disabilities in their own homes or other settings. Personal care may also include supervision which involves cueing, reminding, prompting or directing daily activities, as needed, but does not include medical services.

Assistance for people who want to enhance their lives and achieve their potential as individuals through analysis of life goals, evaluation of lifestyles and relationships, elimination of unnecessary stress and modification of behavior and attitudes to facilitate achievement of personal objectives.

Services that help people navigate through the maze of doctors’ offices, clinics, hospitals, outpatient centers, insurance and payment systems, patient-support organizations and other components of the health care system with the objective of supporting timely delivery of quality care and ensuring that patients, survivors and families are satisfied with their encounters with the health care system. Personal health care advocates are trained health care workers, often nurses, or volunteers familiar with the health care system who work independently of any health care institution. They help patients identify specialists, coordinate appointments with providers to assure timely delivery of diagnostic and treatment services, provide “cheat sheets” of questions, and lay out the choices patients have in plain English. They may also ensure that appropriate medical records are available at scheduled appointments, accompany patients to medical appointments, arrange language translation or interpretation services, facilitate financial support and help with paperwork, negotiate insurance claims, arrange transportation and/or child/elder care, provide access to clinical trials and facilitate linkages to follow-up services. Some programs contract with employers to serve as personal advocates for employees who are ill. Others work exclusively with individuals who have specific illnesses, e.g., cancer.

Personal robotics are mechanisms, which may be preprogrammed or under the individual’s direct control, that perform tasks normally ascribed to human beings such as directly manipulating light switches, preparing meals or cleaning the house.

Long-established and maladaptive personality traits that deviate markedly from the individual’s culture; have resulted in significant impairments in personal, social or occupational functioning; or have caused suffering for the person and/or for others.

A licensed, comprehensive recovery-oriented program for adults with severe and persistent mental illness that integrates treatment, support and rehabilitation.

Individuals who have physical, sensory, developmental, cognitive, mental or emotional limitations that affect their ability to engage in one or more major life activities. Disabilities may be temporary or permanent, may be present at birth or occur at any point in a person’s lifetime, and can be of different levels of severity.

Pet assisted therapy helps emotionally disturbed or isolated individuals improve their personal and social functioning by giving them an opportunity to care for and relate to a domestic animal that is kept as a pet. Also included are programs that bring dogs or other small pets to visit people residing in a nursing facility or another institutional setting who are ill or elderly or have disabilities; and those that employ R.E.A.D. dogs who volunteer with their owner/handler as a team, going to schools, libraries and many other settings as reading companions for children.

Organizations that are involved in the business of preparing, preserving, compounding and dispensing drugs in accordance with prescriptions prepared by licensed physicians.

Drugstores that accept prescriptions by telephone and deliver necessary medication to people who are unable to pick it up themselves.

Physical/occupational therapy aids are equipment, appliances and assistive aids such as mats, rolls/inclines, positioning/strengthening aids, ambulation or balance training aids, stand tables, treatment tables and whirlpools that enable people to develop (or restore) and maintain the movement and functional abilities that are needed to perform activities of daily living. Use of therapy aids allows individuals to increase their strength, flexibility and/or physical endurance.

Individuals younger than age 18 who have been subjected to a persistent pattern of abuse that involves unexplained injuries such as bruises, bite marks, burns, whipping marks, head injuries, fractures, whiplash, shaken infant syndrome or other abrasions, lacerations or scars that a child sustains at the hands of a caregiver.

Private schools for preschool age children whose curricula follow the system of training young children developed by Swiss developmental psychologist Jean Piaget that emphasizes the importance of the imagination in child development.

Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS) are an augmented communication program which teaches children and adults with autism spectrum disorders who do not talk to communicate using pictures. It uses ABA-based methods to teach program participants to exchange a picture for something they want, either an item or activity. The individual hands a person a picture, and his or her request is immediately understood. It may also help the person respond to requests by accepting pictures. The pictures can be used to help participants learn attributes such as colors and numbers, or how to form sentences.

The Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT), a naturalistic intervention model for children with autism spectrum disorders that targets pivotal areas of the child’s development such as motivation, responsiveness to multiple cues, self-management and social initiations in order to achieve collateral improvements in other social, communicative and behavioral areas. The underlying motivational strategies of PRT are incorporated as often as possible and include child choice, task variation, interspersing maintenance tasks, rewarding attempts and the use of direct and natural reinforcers (e.g., giving the child a stuffed animal when the child requests the stuffed animal). PRT is used to teach language; decrease disruptive/self-stimulating behaviors; and increase social, communication and academic skills.

Programs that provide alternative living arrangements for children and youth who have been neglected, abused or abandoned, who have had contact with the juvenile justice system, or who have a disability, and are no longer able to live with their families.

Play therapy that utilizes play as a form of catharsis to enable children to express feelings and emotions which, if allowed to build up, could cause or further maladjustment. Play therapy is also used as a tool for diagnosing the source of a child’s difficulty.

Poetry therapy is a form of therapy which encourages individuals with mental, physical or developmental disabilities, substance abuse disorders, chronic health conditions or other problems to express and understand their feelings and the feelings of others by reading and writing poetry as part of their individual or group treatment. The poem may be a published work or one created by the patient, and poetic devices, such as rhythm, image and metaphor contribute to the therapeutic effect.

Locations where people can receive medication or vaccine to protect themselves in the event of a disease outbreak (e.g., pandemic influenza) or a terrorist release of biological or chemical weapons such as anthrax, plague or smallpox. Mass prophylaxis of the public becomes necessary when the need for rapid, voluntary vaccination of a large population exceeds the normal capacity of the local public health and health care system.

Individuals who have an interdependent drug habit involving two or more different types of drugs, one of which is used to counteract the adverse effects of the other, or which are used in combination in order to intensify the overall effect; or whose combined use of these drugs has impaired their physical or mental health or their personal, social or occupational functioning. Typical combinations include barbiturates and amphetamines, barbiturates and tranquilizers and barbiturates and heroin.

Equipment which is designed for use in the home that provides support for individuals who, because of respiratory failure, are partially or totally dependent upon a mechanical respiratory device to sustain life. Included are negative pressure ventilators (iron lungs, chest shells or cuirasses) and positive pressure ventilators which may be either pressure-preset or volume-preset. Included are programs that loan portable volume ventilators and those that provide equipment that people can keep.

Assistance that pays the mental health care expenses of people who are unable to obtain necessary care without assistance following a disaster or other emergency. Post disaster mental health expense assistance programs are specifically for individuals who are having psychological reactions to the incident and are feeling frightened, confused and no longer in control of their lives because of the event.

A variety of services following a major disaster or large-scale emergency which help individuals cope with their own psychological reactions to the incident and/or prepare them to provide emotional support for family members, friends and neighbors who are feeling frightened, confused and no longer in control of their lives because of the event.

A disorder affecting individuals who have experienced a psychologically traumatizing event. Symptoms include reexperiencing the event through recurrent and intrusive recollections or dreams of the event, or the sudden feeling that the event is recurring; numbing of responsiveness or reduced involvement with the external world beginning sometime after the trauma; and/or one or a combination of other symptoms including hyperalertness or exaggerated startle response, sleep disturbance, guilt about surviving if others have not, memory or concentration impairment, avoidance of memories that recall the trauma and intensification of symptoms when exposed to events that symbolize or resemble the trauma.

Postsecondary institutions provide opportunities for individuals who are beyond the compulsory school attendance age to acquire a higher level of knowledge, skills and specialization in their chosen area of interest within the framework of phased learning in a formal school setting.

Major fields of study offered at a variety of levels by colleges and universities, professional schools, trade schools, technical schools and other postsecondary educational institutions. Included are academic and occupationally oriented instructional programs offered for academic credit at one or more postsecondary educational levels; and residency programs in various dental, medical and veterinary specializations offered in teaching hospitals and similar locations that may lead to advanced professional certification.

Opportunities for individuals with disabilities to obtain academic, vocational and/or independent living skills instruction at the postsecondary level with the objective of participating in college classes, improving their social and communication skills, enhancing their independence and employability, forming friendships with their peers, developing age-appropriate recreational and leisure pursuits and/or meeting other individualized objectives which reflect their interests and goals. The programs may be available on college and university campuses, as part of adult and continuing education programs or offered at community colleges, technical/trade schools or special centers where students may be regularly enrolled, auditing courses, participating in internships or taking noncredit courses that do not lead to a degree or other academic credential. Some programs have a supported living component and most have special support services which help students succeed in the academic, vocational, residential or other settings in which they are involved.

Wheeled mobility devices that are powered by electric motors which propel the chair and support other functions such as tilt, recline, leg elevation and seat elevation. Users typically control speed and direction by operating a joystick on a controller. Alternative input devices such as chin controls and puff/suck scanners are available for users who lack coordination or the use of their hands or fingers. Power chairs may be designed specifically for indoor use, outdoor use, or both; and have rear wheel, front wheel and mid-wheel drive options.

The pre-admission certification committee (PACC) is comprised of a team of psychiatrists, physicians, nurses, psychologists or social workers with experience in the assessment and treatment of mental illness, preferably in the area of children and youth. If the persons designated to the PACC do not include a psychiatrist or physician, the Commissioner of Mental Health will designate a psychiatrist or physician to serve as an additional member. The PACC also includes an education representative. PACC members may not have an affiliation with a residential treatment facility as a member of the governing body, an employee or a consultant.

The PACC meets to discuss the child’s needs and determine whether the residential treatment facility level of care is most appropriate for the identified child.

Insurance coverage to uninsured Americans who have been unable to obtain health insurance because of a pre-existing health condition. The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP), which will be administered either by a state or by the Department of Health and Human Services, provides a new health coverage option for Americans who have been uninsured for at least six months, have been unable to get health coverage because of a health condition, and are a U.S. citizen or are residing in the United States legally. PCIP is a transitional program created under the Affordable Care Act. It will be in effect until 2014 when insurers will be banned from discriminating against adults with pre-existing conditions and affordable choices will be available to individuals and small businesses through competitive exchanges.

Children who are in the period of human development just preceding adolescence, i.e., between the approximate ages of 9 and 12 years.

Guidance and support for potential adoptive parents including assistance in understanding and evaluating the impact of adoption on their own lives.

Temporary family living arrangements in agency-supervised private family homes for children who have been relinquished for adoption but have not yet been permanently placed. Some programs may also provide care for infants while birth parents decide whether to parent or place their child for adoption.

Programs that provide information and guidance which protect consumers who are considering homeownership, refinancing a mortgage loan or making major repairs from unscrupulous lending institutions which attempt to pressure them into signing loan agreements they cannot afford thus putting them at risk of losing their homes. Predatory lending tactics include high pressure sales techniques; misleading or fraudulent direct mail campaigns; failure to disclose unusually high interest rates, hidden transaction costs, excessive fees and punitive penalty clauses such as balloon payments; and loan agreements that are based on home equity rather than a realistic ability to repay. Predatory lenders frequently target the most vulnerable consumers including older adults, low-income individuals, minorities who are struggling financially, and people residing in communities underserved by traditional banking institutions.

Instruction for people who need to acquire the basic “soft skills” and tools that are required to successfully apply for and secure employment, and retain a position once they have been hired. These programs provide information and guidance regarding preparing a resume, writing job application letters, completing job application questionnaires, responding to job ads and taking employment tests; offer tips regarding appropriate dress, personal appearance and interview techniques; and address other similar topics.

The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a program cosponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). It’s a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT®. It also gives you a chance to enter NMSC scholarship programs and gain access to college and career planning tools.

Programs staffed by nurses or other trained professionals that visit the homes of first-time mothers during pregnancy and the first two years of the child’s life to help the women improve their personal health and development during the prenatal period and learn to care for the child following birth. The visits encourage the mothers to maintain good nutrition; and provide information regarding danger signs in pregnancy, preparation for labor and delivery, breastfeeding and other feeding options, baby supplies, basic infant care, newborn behaviors and child development. They help to ensure that infants and toddlers are nurtured, live in a safe environment in and around the home and receive proper health care. Included are programs that focus on low income individuals, pregnant teens, women with high risk pregnancies or other special populations as well as those that are more broadly available.

Accreditation that establishes operating standards for educational institutions whose students are younger than compulsory school age, review the extent to which standards are met by applicants, issue or deny accreditation or pre-accreditation status and publicly announce their findings.

Children who are age three to five.

Preschools that are owned and managed by a group of families who hire trained teachers to provide a quality preschool experience for their children. The preschools are administered and maintained by the parents, usually on a nonprofit, non-sectarian basis. The parents assist the professional teachers in the classroom on a rotating schedule and participate in the educational program of all the children. Each family shares in the business operation of the school, often by electing a board of directors that establishes policies and hires qualified staff who run the day-to-day operations. One of the benefits of cooperative preschools is that they are generally within the financial means of most families.

Programs that maintain lists of preschools and help families find a preschool program that meets their needs.

Early education for young children provided in center-based locations generally for less than three hours per day. Programs may choose to be registered with the NYS Education Department (SED), but registration is not required.

Cards that offer discounts on prescriptions at participating network pharmacies including chain and independent retail outlets, generally for an annual enrollment fee. 

Clearinghouses that maintain comprehensive information about prescription drug discount options and link people in need of prescription medication with the discount programs for which they are eligible.

Pharmaceutical companies or pharmacies that make brand name or generic prescription drugs available to patients who are uninsured or underinsured or, for other reasons, cannot afford to pay the market price. Also included are organizations that help qualifying patients complete and file paperwork for submission to drug manufacturers to request such medication or which maintain lists of these types of programs for referral purposes.

Financial assistance to purchase necessary prescription drugs for people who would be in an emergency situation without assistance. Also included are programs that reimburse individuals for their prescription expenses, usually on an annual basis. Prescription expense assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.

Prescription medication monitoring systems refer a wide variety of equipment and services that help patients with cognitive impairments or other problems remember to take their prescription medication per their physician’s instructions.

Programs that provide access to low-cost or difficult to obtain prescription drugs or supportive services that help patients take their medication as prescribed by their physician.

Prevention Resource Centers (PRCs) connect individuals with coalitions in their community. Prevention Resource Centers also provide regional training and assistance to help groups start a coalition and offer continued support for the coalition when it is operational.

Individual and group instruction and/or counseling for individuals with disabilities (including mental health issues) who need to develop physical and emotional tolerance for work demands and pressures; acquire personal-social behaviors that will allow them to get along with employers and co-workers on the job; and develop the basic manual, academic and communications skills that are needed to acquire basic job skills.

School-based early identification and intervention programs that seek to reduce social, emotional and school adjustment difficulties for children in kindergarten through grade three and help them become comfortable within a school setting. Students identified by school personnel participate in special individual and group play activities that are aimed at helping them develop social and problem-solving skills and enhancing their self-esteem. The PSAP supplements the educational experience and promotes the personal development of children so they may become successful learners in the classroom, school, and community. Parental consent is required for participation.

Children who are age six to eight.

Educational institutions that provide formal instruction for students in the first, second and third grades that focuses on developing the children’s understanding and knowledge of the basic skills such as reading, writing and arithmetic.

Postsecondary educational institutions that are privately funded and controlled and offer the highest possible level of formal learning in various fields and disciplines for people who meet entry level requirements and are interested in an advanced education. Included are private colleges and universities that offer a four year, undergraduate course of study, which award a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree to successful graduates; and those that offer postgraduate study at masters or doctorate levels in addition to an undergraduate program.

Insurance that individuals or employers can purchase for themselves and/or their employees which indemnifies covered individuals for wages lost through illness or injury.

Home health care services provided by licensed vocational nurses and/or registered nurses who are not members of a hospital staff but are called upon to take special care of individual patients.

Private organizations that have been appointed by the court to act as legal guardians or conservators (depending on the state) of people who have been judged to be incompetent or gravely disabled due to Alzheimer’s disease, alcoholism, mental illness or other incapacitating conditions and assume responsibility for the care and custody of the individuals and/or for the management of their estates.

Private insurance companies, health plans or individual agents that issues policies or plans that pay the medical expenses of covered individuals. Health insurance policies differ in premium amounts as well as the services they cover, the size of the deductible and/or co-payment, and cost and treatment options. Included are employment-based plans which are offered through an individual’s place of employment or that of a relative and direct purchase health plans that are purchased by an individual from a private company.

24-hour inpatient treatment program that is licensed by the New York State Office of Mental Health and operates in private hospitals that provide behavioral health services exclusively.

Operating standards for educational institutions with students in grades K-12 (or 1-12) that are established, controlled and financially supported by nongovernmental organizations and programs, review the extent to which standards are met by applicants, issue or deny accreditation or pre-accreditation status and publicly announce their findings.

Private preschools, elementary or secondary schools that provide educational services for exceptional learners who attend during a part of the day as distinguished from schools where students are boarded and lodged.

Licensed clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists who, either individually or in partnership with other therapists, offer individual, group, conjoint and family counseling, therapy groups or other mental health services on a private practice basis, i.e., in a setting in which the practice and the therapist(s) are independent of external policy control other than the ethics of the professional and state licensing laws.

Private organizations that provide public transportation services in a community, either independently or on the basis of contract with the public transit authority. Public transportation includes buses, subways, light rail, commuter rail, monorail, passenger ferry boats, trolleys, inclined railways, and people movers.

Assistance for people who are involved in proceedings that deal with the establishment of decedents’ wills, the settlement of decedents’ estates or the appointment of a guardian or conservator for adults or children who are unable to manage their own affairs.

The formal supervision of individuals who have been convicted of a crime, usually a lesser offense, and given a suspended sentence which releases them into the community under specific conditions which may include a reduced term in a correctional facility, fines, restitution to the victim, community work, counseling, “good conduct” and other stipulations.

A clinical condition in which the individual’s level of intellectual functioning is below the IQ level of 20. Individuals who have profound intellectual disabilities are incapable of caring for themselves. However, some can be trained to assist in their own feeding, toileting and basic care. Some individuals can be taught to indicate their needs by gesture, speech or other signaling system.

Programs that provide inpatient and/or outpatient services for people who have been referred by the court for treatment of the mental or emotional disorder that was adjudged to have caused their illegal behavior.

Programs that provide for the evaluation, treatment and social rehabilitation of judicially committed individuals who, by reason of a mental or emotional disorder, defect or disease, are predisposed to commit sexual offenses.

Artificial arms, hands, feet, legs and portions of legs, some of which are battery operated and utilize the movement of remaining muscle groups to control the strength and direction of motion.

Internal devices (such as hip and knee implants) to provide stability to correct problems that currently exist there; external appliances (such as braces or splints) that improve the functioning of individuals with muscle, joint or skeletal weaknesses, deformities or injuries; products that provide mobility impaired individuals with greater body stability, trunk/head support, the ability to maintain an upright posture and reduction in pressure to the skin while seated; and/or artificial limbs or other mechanisms which replace missing extremities or other parts of the body.

Legal advocacy services for individuals with disabilities. These services include federally mandated programs that are part of the formal protection and advocacy system which includes Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PADD), Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI), Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights (PAIR) and the Client Assistance Program (CAP); and independent organizations that provide the same types of services. Protection and advocacy programs provide legal representation and other advocacy services, under federal and state laws, for all people with disabilities and endeavor to ensure full access to inclusive educational programs, financial entitlements, health care, accessible housing and productive employment opportunities. The programs maintain a presence in facilities that care for people with disabilities where they monitor, investigate and attempt to remedy adverse conditions. CAP agencies (many of which are housed within protection and advocacy offices) provide information and assistance for individuals seeking or receiving vocational rehabilitation services under the Rehabilitation Act, including assistance in pursuing administrative, legal and other appropriate remedies.

Investigation and intervention services to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals who are vulnerable to abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation.

Continuing treatment and other supportive services for people who have been discharged from a residential treatment or inpatient psychiatric facility with the objective of maintaining the improvement achieved during inpatient treatment and preventing readmission.

Psychiatric case management is to develop case plans for the evaluation, treatment and/or care of individuals who have mental, emotional or social problems and need assistance in arranging for services; which assess the individual’s needs; coordinate the delivery of needed services; ensure that services are obtained in accordance with the case plan; and follow up and monitor progress to ensure that services are having a beneficial impact on the problem.

Programs that provide a therapeutic environment for individuals who have acute or chronic mental or emotional disturbances, who do not require full-time hospital care but who can benefit from a structured environment for some portion of the day or week. Services may include individual, group and/or family therapy; social and recreational activities; and a range of adjunctive therapies. Psychiatric day treatment programs may be offered by freestanding day treatment facilities, by psychiatric hospitals or by psychiatric units in general acute care hospitals.

Psychiatric and health care facilities that are capable, on a 24-hour basis, of treating people who are in acute emotional distress.

Psychiatric home health care services that are provided by registered nurses who may have advanced training in the mental health field and who specialize in the care of people who have emotional problems.

Institutions whose primary function is to provide diagnostic and long or short-term treatment services for children, adolescents, adults and/or older adults who have acute psychiatric disorders, require hospitalization for maximum benefit, and who may be a threat to themselves, to their families or to others if left in the community or placed in a less restrictive treatment setting. Services may include a comprehensive evaluation; 24-hour care in a supportive, therapeutic environment; counseling for the patient and family; adjunctive therapies, as needed; medication, if required; and an aftercare program following discharge. Psychiatric hospitals may also offer a range of outpatient mental health services.

Psychiatric inpatient units are special units of general acute care hospitals that provide diagnostic and treatment services for children, adolescents, adults and/or older adults who have acute or chronic mental or emotional disturbances, require hospitalization for maximum benefit, and who might be a threat to themselves, to their families or to others if left in the community or placed in a less restrictive treatment setting. Services may include a comprehensive evaluation; 24-hour care in a supportive, therapeutic environment; counseling for the patient and family; adjunctive therapies as needed; medication, if required; and an aftercare program following discharge.

Medication monitoring services include periodic follow-up to evaluate the effectiveness of the medication in modifying the individual’s behavior, provide for early recognition and minimization of undesirable side effects, make necessary dosage adjustments, provide educational interventions, as needed, and ensure that medication is, in fact, being taken as prescribed. Some programs may conduct special outreach to help homeless mentally ill individuals or other groups initiate and follow through with treatment.

Mobile psychiatric emergency teams composed of designated mental health workers (psychiatrists, RN’s, MSW’s, psychologists, psychiatric technicians) in any combination which intervene in situations where an individual’s mental or emotional condition results in behavior which constitutes an imminent danger to him or herself or to another and is unwilling to seek voluntary treatment. These teams are generally operated by county mental health agencies and have the authority to issue an order which authorizes involuntary inpatient hospitalization for up to 72 hours.

Psychiatric occupational therapy is for people who have mental, emotional or social problems in selected age and interest-appropriate activities which are aimed at increasing their self-awareness, self-esteem, personal effectiveness, decision-making ability and overall self-sufficiency as individuals and as group members. Activities are structured to accomplish individual goals which have been established by the therapist or treatment team and may include crafts, cooking, self-care skills, work performance skills, task groups, relaxation groups and other therapeutic components.

Psychiatric referrals link people who are in need of evaluation, assessment, counseling, medication, and, in some instances, mental health hospitalization services with individuals who have the education and experience required for psychiatrists, who have their licenses and who are qualified in the desired area of specialization.

Rehabilitation that integrate treatment strategies associated with psychiatry, occupational therapy and psychiatric case management to help severely mentally ill individuals stabilize their clinical status, increase their ability to function within their environment with as little ongoing professional intervention as possible, and improve their overall quality of life. Services are provided within an intensive case management system and may include medication and supportive psychotherapy to alleviate symptoms; training in interpersonal and independent living skills with a focus on personal care and management, leisure skills, social interaction skills and vocational preferences and aptitudes; cognitive retraining; family psychoeducation; peer support; and assistance in gaining access to the resources and benefits to which they are entitled. The individual is actively involved in developing the treatment plan and selecting the types of training that will be relevant to his or her ongoing roles and relationships.

Psychiatric service dogs are taught to work with and respond to individuals disabled by mental illness. The dogs may remind the individual to take medication at a specific time; turn on lights and search a room for intruders; warm the person’s body during a panic attack; interrupt checking and other repetitive behaviors; stay with the person during acute emotional stress; alert to mania, panic attacks or dissociative episodes; interrupt dissociative episodes or flashbacks; assist the individual in distinguishing “reality” from auditory or visual hallucinations; provide a constant grounding presence; and serve as a trustworthy companion when the person is negotiating paranoia.

Psychiatric services are provided by physicians who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional and behavior disorders. Psychiatrists have specialized training, knowledge and skills which enable them to explore the biologic, psychological and social components of illnesses; and are licensed to prescribe medication, conduct physical examinations, order and interpret laboratory tests and EEGs and order brain imaging studies such as CT, CAT, MRI and PET scans as well as evaluate and treat psychological and interpersonal problems and provide continuing psychiatric care.

Psychological assessment means evaluation and identifying the best mode of treatment for individuals who have developmental deficits, learning disabilities, neurological impairments, loss of memory, behavioral problems, personality disorders or adjustment problems. Diagnostic techniques may include observation of the person’s behavior, interviews with the individual and significant others, psychological testing as indicated, and neuropsychological assessment in situations where organic involvement such as brain injury is suspected. Ongoing assessment may be provided as a means of evaluating the effectiveness of treatment.

Psychological testing offers a variety of standardized tests including personality inventories, aptitude tests, intelligence tests, attitude tests, projective measures and affective tests to evaluate the psychosocial functioning of people who may be experiencing mental, emotional or social difficulties. Psychological testing may also be used in differential diagnosis to substantiate that a particular diagnosis is correct.

Psychosocial evaluation assesses the emotional and social functioning of an individual or group including a family in the context of all of the factors that affect functioning for the purpose of identifying strengths and problem areas and developing a plan to support identified strengths and resolve or minimize identified difficulties. The process may include an evaluation of communication and coping skills on a personal and interpersonal basis; the impact of the environment on functioning; and the deficits in knowledge, support, skills and ability which must be considered to understand current functioning and to develop a treatment program that addresses the person or group in context. This process may be utilized with people who are experiencing minor or time-limited situational problems and as a component of a comprehensive evaluation of someone whose difficulties are severe and/or chronic.

Psychosomatic medicine is staffed by licensed physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders and symptoms in complex medically ill patients. The subspecialty includes treatment of patients with acute or chronic medical, neurological, obstetrical or surgical illness in which psychiatric illness is affecting their medical care and/or quality of life such as HIV infection, organ transplantation, heart disease, renal failure, cancer, stroke, traumatic brain injury, high-risk pregnancy and COPD, among others. The patient population also includes people who have a psychiatric disorder that is the direct consequence of a primary medical condition, or a somatoform disorder or psychological factors affecting a general medical condition. Psychiatrists specializing in psychosomatic medicine provide consultation-liaison services in general medical hospitals, attend on medical psychiatry inpatient units, and provide collaborative care in primary care and other outpatient settings.

Disorders that are characterized by psychogenic disturbances including delusions and/or hallucinations that are of such magnitude that there is personality disintegration and loss of contact with reality.

Financial assistance in the form of cash grants or purchase of services for eligible low-income and indigent individuals and families to ensure that they have a basic income and access to essential medical, nutritional and supportive services.

Postsecondary educational institutions supported by public funds that offer the highest possible level of formal learning in various fields and disciplines for people who meet entry level requirements and are interested in an advanced education. Included are public colleges and universities that offer a four year, undergraduate course of study, which award a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree to successful graduates; and those that offer postgraduate study at masters or doctorate levels in addition to an undergraduate program.

Programs operated by a county, city, state or other public entities that are responsible for investigating the need for a guardian or conservator for all people who have been referred as allegedly incompetent or gravely disabled by mental illness or incapacity and which, upon appointment as guardian or conservator, are responsible for the care and custody of the individuals and/or the management of their estates.

Housing developments or scattered single family dwellings that are owned and managed by local housing authorities and rented to income and program eligible individuals and families, including older adults and people with disabilities. The units are governed by federal regulations which determine the application process, eligibility requirements, and tenant payment and lease obligations. Eligible households pay approximately 30% of their adjusted gross income for rent.

Public inebriate transportation is for identifying and picking up individuals who are intoxicated in public places and transport them to facilities which can provide a safe place to stay until the person is sober enough to resume responsibility for him or herself. The program may also include linkage with detoxification resources and other services the individual may need.

Chronic alcoholics who are habitually in a state of intoxication in public places.

Preschool programs that are a part of the local public school system and are typically open to all children age three to four who are living in the community. There are generally no other eligibility criteria.

Programs that establish operating standards for educational institutions with students in grades K-12 (or 1-12) that are established, controlled and financially supported by local government, review the extent to which standards are met by applicants, issue or deny accreditation or pre-accreditation status and publicly announce their findings.

Public school services include maintaining lists of magnet schools and/or public schools in alternative locations and providing assistance for prospective students who need help in selecting an educational facility that is appropriate for their individual needs and interests. Included are services that provide lists of available public schools as well as those that help parents and students evaluate their options and make a choice.

Educational institutions for students in grades K-12 (or 1-12) supported by public funds that provide a formal education through a graded system of instruction that focuses initially on basic skills such as reading, writing, and mathematics and later on a broader curriculum of study which terminates in preparation for specific employment opportunities or undergraduate study at the postsecondary level.

Separately organized district, county or state schools at preschool, elementary or secondary levels that are established for the purpose of providing educational services for children with disabilities whose needs cannot be met in special classes or centers in a regular educational facility.

Programs that provide legal assistance (including advice and representation in administrative hearings) for individuals whose application for public or subsidized housing has been denied or whose rent subsidy benefits have been terminated in situations where they believe that their rights under applicable housing laws have been violated.

The Pyramid Model is a comprehensive framework to provide teachers, caregivers, and families the tools and strategies needed to promote and support positive behavior, prevent challenging behavior, and address the social needs of all young children. The core work in the model focuses on building adults’ skills so that they can support children’s social and emotional health.

A disorder that is characterized by the consistent inability to resist the impulse to set fires coupled with an intense fascination with setting fires and seeing them burn. The pyromaniac experiences a buildup of tension before setting the fire and an intense sense of pleasure or release once the fire is underway.

Raise the Age New York is a public awareness campaign that includes national and local advocates, youth, parents, law enforcement and legal representative groups, faith leaders, and unions that have come together to increase public awareness of the need to implement a comprehensive approach to raise the age of criminal responsibility in NYS so that the legal process responds to all children as children and services and placement options better meet the rehabilitative needs of all children and youth.

New York is one of only two states in the country that have failed to recognize what research and science have confirmed – adolescents are children, and prosecuting and placing them in the adult criminal justice system doesn’t work for them and doesn’t work for public safety.

But New York continues to be the only state other than North Carolina that prosecutes ALL youth as adults when they turn 16 years of age.

Assistance in the form of labor and supplies for people with disabilities who need to modify multilevel homes or homes that have entrances preceded by steps in order to make them accessible by installing sloping walkways which transcend the levels.

A disorder seen in children before they reach the age of five that is characterized by markedly disturbed and developmentally inappropriate social relatedness in most contexts that is associated with grossly pathological care, e.g., persistent disregard for the child’s basic emotional needs for comfort, stimulation and affection; persistent disregard for the child’s physical needs; and/or repeated changes of primary caregivers that prevent formation of stable attachments. The disorder may take two forms: disturbances in social relationships that are characterized by the persistent failure to initiate and respond to most social interactions in a developmentally appropriate way (inhibited type); and disturbances in social relationships that are marked by indiscriminate sociability or a lack of selectivity in the choice of attachment figures (disinhibited type).

Reader services are textbook reading services for students who are blind or who have visual impairments.

The Readers Aid Program provides funding assistance for college students who are deaf, deaf blind or blind by helping to meet the costs of note-taker, reader and/or interpreter services.

The Readers Aid Program provides funding assistance for college students who are deaf, deaf blind or blind by helping to meet the costs of note-taker, reader and/or interpreter services.

A learning disability that is characterized by difficulty translating written images into meaningful language. There are two types of learning disabilities in reading. Basic reading problems occur when there is difficulty understanding the relationship between sounds, letters and words. Reading comprehension problems occur when there is an inability to grasp the meaning of words, phrases and paragraphs. Signs of reading difficulty include problems with letter and word recognition, understanding words and ideas, reading speed and fluency, and general vocabulary skills.

Services that provide people with visual impairments or other disabilities that limit their ability to read print material with access to recorded tapes or readings from current popular publications. Included are radio reading services which offer programming that features highlights from national newspapers, articles from periodicals, or novels and other special interest reading material; and telephone reading services which provide access to prerecorded material via touch-tone telephone.

Individuals who are currently participating in or have completed an alcoholism treatment program or are involved in a recovery program and are endeavoring to remain sober.

Individuals who are currently participating in or have completed a drug abuse treatment program or are involved in a recovery program and are endeavoring to remain drug-free.

Community-based, peer-group-oriented, residential facilities that provide food, shelter and recovery services in a supportive, non-drinking, drug-free environment for people who have completed a hospital or residential primary substance abuse rehabilitation program and need continued support in a residential setting to sustain their recovery. Services may include case management, relapse prevention counseling, 12-step meetings, educational and vocational planning, recreational activities and assistance in obtaining health, social, vocational and other services available in the community. Residents are expected to abide by house rules which vary from facility to facility. The objective is to help people who are recovering from substance abuse bridge the gap between intensive treatment and independent sober living.

Activities that provide opportunities for people of all ages to learn, become competitive in and enjoy the organized recreational activity, sport or game of their choice. These programs may be offered by local clubs devoted to a particular activity or sport; may provide individual or team coaching assistance or instruction, access to equipment and facilities, and uniforms, if necessary; and may sponsor or make arrangements for athletes to participate in amateur competitions, usually at the local, regional or state level, and provide officials for games. These events are generally for the enjoyment of the athletes and are not at a high enough competitive level to be considered spectator sports.

Recreational aids are equipment or other products which have been modified to enhance the manner in which people with disabilities can take part in the leisure time pursuits of their choice. Included are modified dog leashes, craft making items, sewing accessories, games, puzzles, cards, video equipment, sports equipment, cycling equipment, toys and other similar products.

Recreational therapy helps individuals with mental, physical or developmental disabilities, substance abuse disorders, chronic health conditions or other problems develop new interests, sharpen their social skills and gain a sense of self-achievement through a structured series of leisure-time activities which may include arts and crafts, dance, drama, music, sports, games, social gatherings and community outings. Therapy goals may differ for different populations, e.g., improved hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills may be desired outcomes for people with physical disabilities.

Programs that enable older adults, people with disabilities and others who meet established criteria to register their automobiles or other vehicles and obtain valid license plates at a reduced rate.

Regional Technical Assistance Teams are comprised of representatives from different systems and ensure optimal regional communication and coordination of various New York State agency initiatives which are designed to address the health and well being of children and their families in the Central New York Region. Currently there are five regional technical assistance teams in New York State. The primary functions of teams are:

• act as liaisons between the Council on Children and Families and county teams;
• identify regional barriers and address creative solutions;
• provide cross-systems training and technical assistance on local and regional levels; and
• promote services that are family-driven, youth guided and culturally and linguistically competent.

Regional occupational education centers for high school students and adults that provide specialized training in the occupational skills that are required for work in a particular industry. Course availability varies according to job vacancy levels in the community. Courses are offered during evenings and weekends for students who cannot attend during the school or work week.

Programs offered by participating high schools which provide training in specific occupational skills that is more specialized than that provided in basic vocational courses, but less specialized and varied than that available through the regional occupational centers. The program is regionalized in that specialized training offered at one high school is available to students in neighboring schools.

Regional Partnership Centers (RPCs) promote meaningful change within the educational system; build collaborative school/community relationships; as well as provide information and training in the areas of literacy, behavior, transition, specially designed instruction, and equity. Regional Partnership Centers use an intensive team approach to support schools, families and communities to improve equity, access, opportunities and outcomes for all students with disabilities in New York State.

The Justice Center supports 12 Regional Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities (TRAID) Centers (RTCs), where staff provides information, training, device demonstration, device reuse, device exchange, and device loans. TRAID staff also provides technical assistance and advocacy on how to obtain and use assistive technology services and devices. 

Registered home nursing are home health care services that provided by individuals who have graduated from a state approved nursing school, have passed the professional nursing state board examination, and have been granted a license to practice within a particular state.

Rehabilitation services involve a combination of treatment and education services which are designed to restore maximum functioning, a sense of well-being and a personally satisfying level of independence for individuals who have temporary or permanent disabilities. Habilitation services involve a combination of treatment and education services which are designed to either increase or maintain the physical, intellectual, emotional, and social functioning of individuals who have not reached age-appropriate developmental milestones.

Rehabilitation/restorative home nursing refers to home health care services that are provided by registered nurses with specialized training in the rehabilitative and restorative aspects of patient care who provide basic nursing services, patient and family education, therapy practice and support to help people with chronic and disabling conditions realize their rehabilitation goals and return to an optimum level of functioning.

Programs that provide structured therapy groups or other interventions which help recovering substance abusers make the cognitive, behavioral and attitudinal changes that are necessary to prevent them from returning to their previous patterns of alcohol or other drug abuse. The program helps participants deal in a very focused way with a wide variety of issues that have an impact on their commitment to sobriety and may include topics like exercise, nutrition, boredom, addictive behavior, looking forward, work and recovery, guilt and shame, the role of 12-step programs, staying busy, truthfulness, trust, repairing relationships, anger management, money management and dealing with feelings.

Programs that offer RDI, a trademarked, proprietary, parent-based clinical treatment program that focuses on the social problems at the heart of autism such as friendship skills, empathy and the desire to share personal experiences with others. The program’s core philosophy is that individuals with autism can participate in authentic emotional relationships if they are exposed to them in a gradual, systematic way. RDI seeks to cultivate the building blocks of social connection – such as referencing, emotion sharing, coregulation and experience sharing – that normally develop in infancy and early childhood. It is a family-based program in which trained consultants support families to alter their interaction and communication styles. There is a period of parent education, followed by an assessment of both the child and the child-parent relationship. After that, consultants support the family through a set of specific objectives to build a “guided participation” relationship between parents and child that will allow the child to once again become a “cognitive apprentice” to the parents. Once the cognitive apprenticeship is in place, the family can move on to specific cognitive remediation objectives for the child. These are developmentally staged objectives designed to restore optimal neural connectivity through a series of “discoveries” and “elaborations”.

Assistance for rental payments for people who are at risk of eviction without assistance. Rent payment assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.

Assistance in form of cash grants or loans to people who are in the process of acquiring rental housing and who can handle the monthly rental payments, but who do not have the assets to pay the first month’s rent, in some cases, the last month’s rent, and any security deposits required to move in.

Programs that gather and disseminate to the public, government agencies, the media and other organizations information about reporting requirements for convicted, supervised criminal offenders who have been displaced due to the effects of a disaster or other emergency and have relocated, either permanently or temporarily, to another jurisdiction. Displaced individuals on probation or parole may be given a number to call or asked to report to the nearest parole or probation office in their current location for intake and supervision instructions.

Section 1115 of the Social Security Act provides the Secretary of Health and Human Services broad authority to authorize experimental, pilot, or demonstration projects likely to assist in promoting the objectives of the Medicaid statute. Flexibility under Section 1115 is sufficiently broad to allow states to test substantially new ideas of policy merit. These projects are intended to demonstrate and evaluate a policy or approach that has not been demonstrated on a widespread basis. Some states expand eligibility to individuals not otherwise eligible under the Medicaid program, provide services that are not typically covered, or use innovative service delivery systems such as public/private partnerships.

Permanent accommodation for chronic alcoholics or drug abusers who have no expectation of recovery. In most cases, there are no requirements for abstinence as a condition for housing. Included are “damp” housing for those people who are able to live in a setting where abstinence is encouraged but substance use is permitted on the premises in moderation; and “wet” housing for people who are unwilling and/or unable to make a commitment to consumption limitations and are actively using substances addictively. In most cases, alcohol consumption is permitted at the residence, either in a person’s room or in common areas, while drug use is not tolerated on-site but residents can use drugs away from the building. Both are contrasted to “dry” housing where residences are alcohol and drug-free. In most cases, residents in these facilities are formerly homeless and have undergone numerous failed attempts at treatment for alcoholism or drug abuse. Without this harm reduction alternative, homeless people with chronic substance abuse issues sleep on the street and are at increased risk for exposure to adulterated or harmful substances, or depend on costly detoxification and scarce emergency shelter beds for housing.

Community-based residential facilities that provide a long or short-term (usually one to nine month) alcohol and drug-free supportive environment in which individuals who abuse alcohol can achieve and/or maintain sobriety. Residential alcoholism programs are usually staffed by recovering alcoholics and offer services that differ widely among facilities, but which may include personal recovery planning services, 12-step or other mutual support groups, alcoholism education, family support, recreation and social activities and assistance in obtaining vocational and social services.

Community-based facilities that provide a 24-hour, supervised, supportive, drug-free environment in which people who abuse drugs can learn to deal with their lives and remain drug-free upon return to the community. Services may include individual and group counseling and 12-step and other mutual support groups, drug education and structured social activities which may be available to family members or significant others as well as to residents.

Temporary or long-term residential options for individuals and families who are looking for housing. Included are market rate and subsidized rental and purchase options; facilities for people who do not want to establish independent households or cannot afford to do so; and housing for older adults and people with disabilities who are capable of maintaining independent living in a communal environment without any form of supervision, care or support. Structures may include single family dwellings, apartment buildings, duplexes, triplexes, congregate living facilities, mobile home parks, single room occupancy (SRO) housing and other shared housing facilities.

Services that maintain information about residential living options for people with disabilities including group homes, foster care, intermediate care, or semi-independent living residences, and link people who are looking for alternative living options with appropriate residential facilities.

Residential Services are provided to maximize access to housing opportunities, particularly for persons with histories of repeated psychiatric hospitalizations, homelessness, involvement with the criminal justice system, and co-occurring substance abuse. They are also provided to persons leaving adult homes and to persons receiving court-ordered Assisted Outpatient Treatment. Residential services are also offered to children to provide short-term residential assessment, treatment, and aftercare planning.

Educational institutions at elementary and secondary levels that provide special education services for children with disabilities who are in residence while enrolled in the instructional program.

Community-based residential facilities that provide treatment services in the context of a 24-hour, supervised drug and alcohol-free environment for people who have problems related to substance abuse.

Licensed residential treatment programs in congregate, apartment and single room residences where on-site interventions are goal-oriented, intensive, and usually of limited duration.

Residential treatment facilities provide a therapeutic living environment in community-based facilities for individuals who have emotional and/or behavioral problems and require a structured, supervised treatment program which may include individual, group, family and other treatment modalities as appropriate, but who do not require inpatient psychiatric hospitalization.

Programs that employ special education teachers with advanced training to provide instructional planning, special instruction, tutorial services or other instructional services for students in special programs and/or in regular classrooms. Students receive assistance with specific learning problems in their regular or special classroom setting or are pulled out for a portion of the day for instruction in special learning centers.

Equipment which enables people who have ongoing respiratory disorders to breathe comfortably. Included are programs that loan respiratory equipment and those that provide equipment that people can keep.

Respite care provides a brief period of relief or rest for family members, guardians or other people who are regular caregivers for dependent adults or children by offering temporary or intermittent care in the home or in community settings/facilities.

Respite care registries maintain lists of individuals or organizations which provide respite care services and link individuals or families who are in need of this service with appropriate resources.

Subsidies that cover all or a portion of the cost of respite care in the home or in community settings/facilities in situations where family members, guardians or others who are the regular caregivers for dependent adults or children with disabilities need a brief period of rest or relief from their care giving responsibilities. Families generally select their own provider, negotiate their own rates and set their own schedules.

Driver permits which allow people with special needs to operate an automobile under certain predefined circumstances such as during daylight hours, to and from work or school or off the highway. People whose driving privileges may be restricted include minors under the legal driving age who have demonstrated family hardship, individuals with certain disabilities or illnesses and people who have failed in the past to drive safely.

Services that allow job seekers to post their resumes online. Some programs upload the resumes to specific job sites such as Monster, CareerBuilder, and Yahoo! HotJobs. Job seekers get login information for each site enabling them to update their resume and apply directly to job postings available on the site. Other programs “blast” the resumes, i.e., send them via email to thousands of employers and recruiters. Some resume blasting services allow people to target only recruiters who have requested resumes in a particular industry or geographic area and provide a list of the recruiters to whom the resume was sent. The objective of resume posting/blasting services is to help job seekers get broad exposure for their resumes.

Training for people who want to learn to present their skills, education and previous work experience effectively in a written resume or vita.

A condition that is characterized by autistic-like withdrawal, deceleration of head growth, deterioration of higher brain functions leading to severe retardation and loss of purposeful use of the hands which is replaced by a constant hand washing movement in front of the face or chest. The disorder is diagnosed primarily in female children and is typically seen in youngsters age six to 18 months following apparently normal prenatal and perinatal development and apparently normal psychomotor development in the first five months following birth.

Rochester method teaches individuals with hearing impairments to communicate using a simultaneous combination of finger spelling and speech. Although the method is based on standard English, it can mirror any language that uses the Roman alphabet.

A low-cost housing option, usually but not necessarily short-term, that offers individual or shared rooms for men or women and may include communal meals. Residents rent bedrooms (rather than self-contained units) and have the use of common facilities such as bathrooms, lounges, kitchens, dining areas and laundry facilities. Boarding houses generally provide at least one meal for tenants whereas rooming houses do not. Also included are hotels and motels that have very low weekly or monthly rates that are geared to meet the needs of homeless individuals who are not able to find emergency or transitional housing and have some money.

Programs that attempt to reduce the number of children who run away from home each year through a variety of educational interventions which may focus on troubled children and youth, parents, professionals who work with children and families, law enforcement personnel and/or the community at large. The programs may provide information that will help people understand the difference between a runaway child and a missing child, the motivations of a runaway, the types of problems that increase the risk of a runaway (e.g., child abuse, divorce, alcohol or drug use, oppositional or defiant behavior, antisocial peer groups), warning signs of a potential runaway, communication tips and other steps a parent can take to prevent a child from running away, and community resource options for troubled children and youth and their families.

Document which certifies that a civil union between two people of the same sex has taken place. In most jurisdictions, parties to a civil union have all the same benefits, protections and responsibilities, whether they derive from statute, policy, administrative or court rule, common law or any other source of civil law, as are granted to spouses in a marriage.

Permits which enable couples of the same sex to be joined in a civil union. In most jurisdictions, parties to a civil union have all the same benefits, protections and responsibilities, whether they derive from statute, policy, administrative or court rule, common law or any other source of civil law, as are granted to spouses in a marriage.

A disorder of childhood and adolescence that is characterized by social isolation, an apparent lack of interest in making friends, the general avoidance of nonfamilial social contacts, especially with peers, and the lack of pleasure in usual peer interactions.

A personality disorder that is characterized by detachment from social relationships and interactions; avoidance of close relationships; lack of warm, tender feelings for others and apparent indifference to praise, criticism and the feelings of others. Individuals who have this disorder appear reserved, withdrawn and seclusive; usually pursue solitary interests or hobbies; and may be viewed as eccentric.

Any of a group of disorders that are characterized by onset before age 45, deterioration from a previous level of functioning in areas such as work, social relations or self-care, and at least one of the following during a phase of the illness: bizarre delusions such as delusions of being controlled, thought broadcasting, thought insertion or thought withdrawal; somatic, grandiose, religious or nihilistic delusions; delusions with jealous or persecutory content accompanied by hallucinations of any type; auditory hallucinations; or incoherence associated with a blunted, flat or inappropriate affect, delusions or hallucinations, or catatonic or other grossly disorganized behavior.

Scholarship are awards which usually involve money and/or reduced tuition. Included are both needs-based scholarships which are awarded to outstanding students who are in financial need and honorary scholarships which are awarded on the basis of merit alone and normally carry a nominal monetary award. Scholarship funds come from many sources including private endowments, alumni contributions, college or university funds, individual departments or outside organizations.

A college admission test that lets you show colleges what you know and how well you can apply that knowledge. It is a standardized test that is an aptitude test, testing reasoning and verbal abilities in the areas of reading, writing and math.

Support for adjusting, adapting or redesigning furniture or equipment or structural elements of school and college/university environments in order to make them accessible to students with disabilities.

Operating standards for educational or professional institutions and programs, review the extent to which standards are met by applicants, issue or deny accreditation or pre-accreditation status and publicly announce their findings.

Services that create audiotape, Braille, electronic and/or large print versions of textbooks and other materials required by students, faculty and staff who have visual impairments or other disabilities which prevent them from using standard print materials.

School based integrated services offered directly by schools and they develop collaborative partnerships with public and private community agencies to meet the mental health, juvenile justice, social service and academic needs of school children whose struggles with multiple problems including poor physical or mental health, inadequate nutrition, substance abuse, family dysfunction or insufficient community support are affecting their educational performance. The purpose of these programs is to develop an integrated services delivery system through which existing resources are coordinated and made available to children and youth, their parents and family members at or near the school site.

Programs that provide interpreters who accompany deaf and hard of hearing students to their classes in order to convey the instructor’s lecture material by silently forming the words on their lips for speech reading or by utilizing sign language. School based interpreters may also voice for deaf students, upon request; may be available to accompany students to conferences along with teachers or advisors, to public meetings or to other school-related events; and may be utilized by faculty and staff who, themselves, are deaf or hard of hearing.

Local administrative units that operate schools or contract for school services in specific geographical areas.

Students who have left school without completing their course of study and earning their diploma, degree or other certificate of graduation.

Services, usually within the formal education system, that operate school cafeterias or dining halls which provide lunches and other meals for students. Included are student dining services at elementary and secondary schools and those offered by colleges and universities.

Offices within the formal school system at elementary, secondary and postsecondary levels that review, investigate and respond to complaints lodged against the school district or college/university by students, parents and others who may question specific personnel actions, policies or procedures. The offices function as an independent, impartial third party to help students and their families find a solution to problems which may range from discipline issues to concerns about teaching staff acting inappropriately. School ombudsman services do not replace the school district’s or college/university’s grievance procedure or other appeal processes.

A persistent condition primarily experienced by children which is characterized by excessive anxiety about and/or refusal to go to school. The condition may stem from factors like anxiety about being separated from significant others who are at home, an irrational fear of school, or feeling powerful and in control at home but not elsewhere. The child and family may require counseling to resolve the problem.

School placement services maintain lists of elementary and secondary schools and provide assistance for prospective students who need help in selecting an educational facility that is appropriate for their individual needs and interests. Included are programs that provide lists of available schools as well as those that help parents and students evaluate their options and make a choice.

Programs sponsored by states, local municipalities or local nonprofits that prepare children, usually age three to five, to succeed in school. The programs are modeled on Head Start/Better Beginnings/Brighter Futures programs and are compensatory in nature targeting children from low income families or those who have or are at risk for a disability and who may have special needs. Services may include comprehensive development screenings, active learning, parent education programs, family activities, early literacy exercises, home visits and healthy snacks during the school day. In some instances, the programs are entirely home-based and focus on providing materials, instruction and support that enable the parent to prepare their child for entering school. Occasionally, the programs refer to short acclimatization sessions to make new pupils familiar with the school and classroom environment before the formal start of the school year.

School social work services provide a variety of services that address the problems students may be having at home or in the broader community that adversely affect their performance in school. Services may include preparing a social or developmental history; providing group or individual counseling for the student and family; working with problems in the student’s living environment (home, school and community) that are affecting the student’s functioning in school; consulting with staff regarding enhancement of the educational program for a particular student; and mobilizing school and community resources to enable the student to benefit from his or her educational program.

School system advocacy assist families in their interactions with the school system which may include help with school registration, enrollment of children in special programs, intervention on behalf of students facing disciplinary action or expulsion and other activities which facilitate communication between families and school staff.

Services within the formal education system that prepare students with disabilities age 16 and older (and younger students, where appropriate) to make a successful transition to adult life. Transition services are provided while students are still in school, consist of coordinated activities, include both classroom instruction and related community experiences, where appropriate, and teach students the knowledge and skills they will need for postschool activities such as employment, postsecondary education, vocational training, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living and community participation.

Programs, usually within the formal education system, that bring educators, students, business and industry together to prepare students to obtain first jobs in high-skill, high-wage careers. School-to-work programs integrate academic and occupational learning and utilize the workplace, in addition to the classroom, as an active learning environment by making employers joint partners with educators in providing opportunities for all students to participate in high-quality, work-based learning experiences.

Administrative offices in high schools, colleges, universities and technical schools that maintain and, where appropriate, provide official copies of student academic records upon request.

Mental depression that is related to certain seasons of the year, especially winter. Symptoms, which begin during adulthood, include daytime drowsiness, fatigue and diminished concentration. The condition is four times more common in women than in men.

Employment arrangements that are available at a predictable time during a portion of the year based on fluctuations in demand. Construction and agriculture are examples of occupational areas that are typically seasonal in nature.

Seating/positioning aids include: seat supports, back supports, pelvic supports, head and neck supports, trunk supports, arm supports, leg supports, foot supports, cushions or therapeutic seats for individuals with disabilities who need special equipment to sit comfortably and in a desired position. Also included are programs that provide car seats that have been adapted for use by children with disabilities.

Programs that focus on development of proficiency in reading, writing and speaking a language or languages other than the mother tongue, that are needed to perform day-to-day tasks. Instruction in the use of basic communication skills is generally included.

Secondary/high schools provide a graded system of learning in a formal school setting from grades nine or 10 through 12 for adolescents who usually range in age from 13 or 14 to 18. High schools provide formal instruction for students who want to prepare themselves for further education at the college/university level as well as those who prefer to seek employment immediately after high school graduation. The curriculum for students who are planning to terminate their formal education focuses on vocational preparation whereas that for college/university-bound students focuses on providing the required number of hours of instruction in targeted subjects to enable them to meet college/university entrance requirements.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Section 504 also ensures that the child with a disability has equal access to an education. The child may receive accommodations and modifications to facilitate their equal access to education.

Unlike the Individuals With Disabilities Act (IDEA), Section 504 does not require the school to provide an individualized educational program (IEP) that is designed to meet the child’s unique needs and provides the child with educational benefit. Under Section 504, fewer procedural safeguards are available to children with disabilities and their parents than under IDEA.

A federally-supported, tenant-based housing program administered by local housing authorities that provides assistance in the form of vouchers that enable income-eligible families to find and lease approved privately owned housing where the landlord has agreed to enter into a contract with the housing authority and/or finance agency. Tenant-based assistance provides rental subsidies that move with a household into any qualifying housing within a certain area. The housing can be (and often is) private housing that may not have been built with the intention of accepting solely low-income tenants, but if the quality and cost of the unit fall within a specified range, it may qualify. Eligible households pay approximately 30% to 40% of their adjusted gross income for rent and the housing authority subsidizes the balance.

Psychiatric hospitals, inpatient psychiatric units and other inpatient psychiatric facilities that specialize in assisting people whose behavior problems require that they be confined.

Specialized units within supportive housing facilities that provide additional security to assure the safety and well being of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other conditions who may wander away from the facility or exhibit other problematic behaviors.

Programs that provide and train recipients in the use of animals who have been taught to alert individuals who have epilepsy when a seizure is about to occur and/or to respond to a seizure when one is in progress. The dogs carry required medications in their packs, brace their owners during a fall, retrieve the phone, and can activate an emergency call-button if necessary. They also know how to try to revive their owners by licking their faces and gently pawing their forearms, and when and how to leave and get help.

A disorder in which children exhibit a persistent refusal to speak in almost all social situations, including at school, despite the ability to comprehend spoken language and to speak. These children may communicate via gestures, by nodding or shaking the head, or, in some cases, by monosyllabic or short, monotonous utterances.

Self-advocacy support include: teaching people who are affected by an issue the skills that are necessary to stand up for themselves; obtaining the information, opportunities, respect and recognition to which they are entitled and the services for which they are eligible; and helping them integrate into and become valued members of their communities.

Set help instruction instruction teaches children and/or adults with developmental or other disabilities fundamental self-care skills including bowel and bladder control, the use of utensils and drinking cups for eating and drinking, personal hygiene and dressing skills.

A condition in which individuals engage in self-destructive behaviors such as cutting, burning or purposeful self-battery that are undertaken to damage or harm themselves, but not to intentionally end life.

Simple tests that people can use to evaluate their capacity for self-destructive behaviors such as cutting, burning or purposeful self-battery that are undertaken to damage or harm oneself, but not to intentionally end life. People who test positively are encouraged to seek further evaluation and, potentially, treatment.

The Self-Advocacy Association of New York State, Inc. (SANYS) is a not-for profit, grassroots organization run by and for people with developmental disabilities. SANYS works to help create a person-centered and person-directed system of supports. To further this goal, the SANYS executive board supports self-advocates and self-advocacy groups regionally and statewide. SANYS encourages them to speak for themselves individually and collectively.

Self-directed Medicaid services means that participants, or their representatives if applicable, have decision-making authority over certain services and take direct responsibility to manage their services with the assistance of a system of available supports. The self-directed service delivery model is an alternative to traditionally delivered and managed services, such as an agency delivery model. Self-direction of services allows participants to have the responsibility for managing all aspects of service delivery in a person-centered planning process.

Self-direction promotes personal choice and control over the delivery of Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver and state plan services, including who provides the services and how services are provided. For example, participants are afforded the decision-making authority to recruit, hire, train and supervise the individuals who furnish their services. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) calls this “employer authority.” Participants may also have decision-making authority over how the Medicaid funds in a budget are spent. CMS refers to this as “budget authority.”

Housing in a group setting for adults with developmental disabilities, sensory impairments, physical disabilities, emotional disabilities or multiple disabilities in facilities like small homes, apartment buildings, condominiums or agency-owned complexes which may be staffed to provide functional skills training and on-site supportive services. Residents generally have basic self-help skills or take responsibility for employing and supervising aides to assist them in meeting their personal needs. Staff may be available on a 24-hour basis or only occasionally depending on the specific needs of residents. Included are short-term transitional programs for people who are preparing for supported or totally independent living as well as long-term programs for people who may want to be permanent residents.

Therapeutic sessions which treat individuals, usually children, who have sensory processing disorder (also known as sensory integrative dysfunction), a condition in which the brain has difficulty organizing information about one’s own body and the world that is gained through the five senses (sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch). Difficulties may also affect the proprioceptive system which provides a sense of the position of the body in space and the vestibular system which provides a sense of how the body is moving even when the eyes are closed. Sensory integration is practiced by occupational therapists who design individual programs or a “sensory diet” to help individuals process and use sensory information.

A disorder of childhood that is characterized by excessive anxiety on separation from major attachment figures or from home or other familiar surroundings. When separation occurs, the child may experience anxiety to the point of panic. Associated behaviors are unrealistic fear regarding harm to attachment figures; persistent reluctance to go to school, to sleep alone, or be alone in the home or otherwise be separated from major attachment figures; repeated nightmares involving the theme of separation; complaints of physical symptoms on school days; and social withdrawal, sadness, apathy or signs of excessive distress upon separation.

Financial assistance to help people with disabilities purchase an autism service animal, dog guide, mobility assistance service animal, psychiatric service dog, seizure dog, signal dog or other type of animal who has been trained to provide specific forms of support as well as necessary accessories such as backpacks and harnesses.

Animals who have been taught to help individuals who have disabilities increase their mobility and independence and/or maximize their ability to communicate effectively.

A clinical condition in which the individual’s level of intellectual functioning is within the IQ range of 20-34. Individuals with severe intellectual disabilities are capable of basic nonacademic skills which focus on self-care and self-preservation including basic communication skills. Some can learn to perform simple tasks in the home or work in a sheltered, prevocational setting, but require supervision throughout their lives.

Programs that help people who may be vulnerable to rape, molestation or other forms of sexual assault become aware of the general precautions that can be taken to reduce the risk of becoming a victim, and the alternatives for handling the situation should they be approached or attacked.

Specialized medical care for adults and/or children who have been sexually assaulted. Treatment includes an examination for internal and external injuries, collection of physical evidence of the assault, and preventive care and/or treatment in case of venereal disease or pregnancy. Treatment is generally confidential and physical evidence of the assault is not shared with investigating authorities without the consent of the patient. Services are often provided by emergency room staff at a hospital or other health care facility and may include other crisis advocates/representatives.

Sexual harassment prevention attempts to reduce the incidence of sexual harassment in the workplace, in educational institutions or other settings by helping employers understand the law and their responsibilities regarding the issue, developing sound sexual harassment policies, preparing and implementing awareness and prevention training for administrators and staff, providing confidential and secure reporting procedures for victims and witnesses, conducting appropriate investigations of reported incidents and offering crisis intervention services, when warranted. The program may also provide tips that employees can use to resolve harassment situations themselves and intervention suggestions for employers.

Behavior that is characterized by a compulsive need to engage in a repetitive series of sexual encounters and/or romantic attachments which interfere with the person’s ability to develop positive intimate relationships and to learn to cope with life stresses in a healthy manner.

Individuals younger than age 18 who have been sexually assaulted by a family member, acquaintance or stranger or who have been subjected to sexual exploitation in the form of child prostitution or child pornography.

Individuals younger than age 18 who have been persuaded or coerced to perform sexual acts in a film or photograph or who have been introduced to juvenile prostitution and forced or persuaded to perform sexual acts in exchange for money.

A co-teaching strategy in which an aide is assigned to work with specific special education students rephrasing or explaining, as appropriate, material taught by the individual with primary instructional responsibility. Aides may also be assigned to “shadow” a student with emotional disabilities and help with behavioral issues, accompany a particular student to and from school, observe during lessons and assist with homework and after school activities.

Apartments or other living spaces that are designed to be shared by two or more unrelated individuals each of whom pays a portion of the cost. Residents generally have their own private space such as a bedroom and share common areas.

Stools, benches, chairs and other seating equipment that allow people who have difficulty standing to sit while taking a shower or a bath. Included are portable devices that can be moved into and out of a shower stall or bathtub and folding seats that can be affixed to a shower wall.

Techniques for assisting blind individuals to move about in an unfamiliar environment. The training focuses on how to make contact with a blind person, if a stranger; the appropriate grasp and stance; how to help him or her take a seat; and specific procedures for guiding the individual up and down stairs, through doorways and aisles, into or through areas in which there is narrow seating, and around obstacles.

Instruction in visual/manual communication systems that use hand shapes, facial expressions, and other body movements as alternatives to oral and written communication, particularly within the deaf community. Included are programs that teach preverbal infants and toddlers to use sign language as a way of communicating their needs.

Services of people who are proficient in sign language, one of a variety of communication systems in which hand and body movements represent words, ideas, objects, actions and other concepts, to help people who are deaf or have hearing impairments and hearing individuals communicate with one another. Included are programs for individuals who are proficient in American Sign Language (ASL), Quebec Sign Language (LSQ) as well as those who use systems like Signed Exact English (SEE), Conceptually Accurate Signed English (CASE) which involve manually coded English, signed French which involve manually coded French, cued speech in which words spoken by lips are supplemented by cues which aid speech reading, and oral transliteration in which words spoken by an individual are silently mouthed to the deaf person accompanied by appropriate facial expressions and gestures to facilitate conveyance of the information. Sign language interpreters interpret in two ways: voice-to-sign and sign-to-voice. Voice-to-sign means the interpreter is signing to the deaf person what the speaker is saying. Sign-to-voice means the interpreter is voicing to the hearing person what the deaf person is signing. Some individuals want an interpreter who can perform both roles. Others prefer to speak for themselves and limit the interpreter’s role to signing to them.

Dogs who have been taught to help people who are deaf increase their independence and ability to communicate in a hearing world. The dogs obey sign language commands and are taught to respond to a variety of sounds including ambulance sirens, doorbells, alarm clocks, smoke alarms, crying babies and teakettles.

Single room occupancy housing, which may include shared bath or kitchen facilities, that is owned and maintained by nonprofit and/or public organizations and is made available to eligible individuals at low rates. Also included are hotels that have been converted for use as single room occupancy housing.

People who live in single room occupancy housing which may include shared kitchen and bath space.

Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential is a certificate available to graduating students with severe disabilities who take the New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA) and do not meet the requirements for a Regents or Local diploma.  

Programs mandated by the Affordable Care Act and operated by health insurance marketplaces that facilitate the ability of qualified employers to provide their employees and their dependents with access to qualified health plans (QHPs). States may elect to create an independent governance and administrative structure for the SHOP so long as the SHOP coordinates and shares relevant information with the marketplace operating in the same service area; and in some jurisdictions, the SHOP functions are being handled by separately organized navigator and/or assister programs that specialize in working with small businesses.

Individuals who have a physical dependency on nicotine or whose use of tobacco, snuff or other substances containing nicotine has impaired their health. The general physical effects of nicotine use include irritation of lung tissues, constriction of blood vessels, and increased blood pressure and heart rate.Generally it produces central nervous system stimulation, but in high doses, it can also have depressant effects.

Opportunities for individuals of all ages to participate in a variety of group activities that are personally satisfying and/or designed to transmit social values and customs, to facilitate learning of social skills and self-expression in a group setting, and to otherwise promote the social growth and development of participants.

Public social insurance programs that provide benefits to cover all or a portion of the health care costs of covered individuals and their eligible dependents.

Programs that have been established by law and are generally compulsory in nature which provide cash income on a regular basis or payments to meet a designated need for people who are entitled to benefits based on their own or their employer’s contributions to the program and their service to the country. Although there may be assessment procedures to confirm eligibility, there are no financial means or assets tests associated with these benefits.

Programs that specialize in providing therapeutic interventions that are based on the theory developed primarily by Alfred Bandura that the development, maintenance and modification of behavior can be explained in terms of operant and classical conditioning in combination with cognitive mediational processes including vicarious learning. Therapy techniques to reduce or eliminate maladaptive behavior include role modeling, role playing and behavioral rehearsal.

Social model drug detoxification is supervised by medical personnel and often staffed by peer counselors and chemical dependency specialists, that provide a safe and comfortable environment in which individuals who are physically dependent on drugs of any kind go through the withdrawal period. Staff are trained to administer first aid and to recognize danger signals which indicate the need for medical intervention.

A disorder that is characterized by a persistent, irrational fear of and compelling desire to avoid situations in which the individual may be exposed to scrutiny by others coupled with the fear that they may behave in a manner that is embarrassing or humiliating. The marked anxiety the individual feels is a significant source of distress and is recognized by the individual as unreasonable or excessive. Examples of social phobias are fears of speaking or performing in public, using public lavatories, eating in public and writing in the presence of others.

A federal program administered by the Social Security Administration that provides monthly cash benefits for disabled workers who are fully insured under the program, who are not capable of substantial gainful work and who have completed a five month waiting period.

Applications that determine eligibility for the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program; and reinstate individuals who have lost their SSDI benefits due to incarceration, institutionalization, noncompliance or other reasons. 

Applications that determine eligibility for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program; and reinstate individuals who have lost their SSI benefits due to incarceration, institutionalization, noncompliance or other reasons. Also included are other programs that help people prepare and file SSI applications and/or are authorized to do eligibility determinations for the program.

Individuals who are receiving cash grants through the Supplemental Security Income program, a federal income maintenance program with supplemental state funds which is administered by the Social Security Administration for people who are age 65 and older, are blind or have a disability, and have little or no income and assets.

Social Security cards for people who need to register for employment, report their taxes and track their Social Security benefits. Also included are programs that replace Social Security cards when they are lost or stolen.

Training in social interaction skills for young children, youth and/or adults with the objective of helping them overcome shyness or aggressiveness, engage in constructive play or other group activities, develop positive peer relationships and feel comfortable in both business and social situations. Sessions may focus on politeness, cooperation, negotiation, problem solving, taking turns, sharing, winning and losing, sportsmanship, body language, eye contact, using appropriate language, telephone manners, peer situations, consequences of actions and initiating, conducting and concluding conversations.

A tool for teaching social skills to children with autism spectrum disorders developed by Carol Gray in 1991. Through a story developed about a particular situation or event, the child is provided with as much information as possible to help him or her understand the expected or appropriate response. The stories typically have three sentence types: descriptive sentences addressing the where, who, what and why of the situation; perspective sentences that provide some understanding of the thoughts and emotions of others; and directive sentences that suggest a response. The stories can be developed by anyone, are specific to the child’s needs, and are written in the first person, present tense. They frequently incorporate the use of pictures, photographs or music.

Non-Spanish-speaking and limited-Spanish-speaking adults to learn listening, speaking, reading and writing skills with an emphasis on developing the level of communication competence that is essential for adults who are living in a setting in which Spanish is the primary language. Also included are programs that provide Spanish language instruction for younger people.

Special Act School Districts, which are considered public schools, were created by special action of the legislature for the purpose of providing education services to students who reside in child care institutions. Child care agencies affiliated with the Special Act School Districts primarily serve students placed there under Article 81 of NYS Education Law by family court, local social services districts, the Office of Children and Family Services and Office of Mental Health. Local public school districts, based on the recommendations of their CSE, may also place students with disabilities in Special Act School Districts for day or residential services.

Educational services including special placement and individualized programming, instruction and/or support services for exceptional children, youth and/or adults, including those who have hearing impairments, visual impairments, physical disabilities, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities and/or other developmental disabilities, emotional disturbance, multiple disabilities or speech or language impairments and who need appropriately modified curricula, teaching methodologies and instructional materials in order to learn. Services may include the development, in partnership with the child’s parents, of an individualized educational plan to meet the child’s needs and the implementation and review at least annually of each child’s plan to determine progress and future needs.

Programs that work to ensure that children and youth with disabilities receive a free, appropriate, public education often by providing assistance for parents who need support in seeking and obtaining needed early intervention, educational, medical or therapeutic services for their children.

Programs offered by the schools or available through public or private agencies that assess children who have been referred for the presence of a disability in order to determine their eligibility for special education and related services, and to make an informed decision about their educational placement and instruction. Information about a student’s skills and needs is drawn from many sources including parents, teachers and specialists, and by using a variety of assessment approaches such as observations, interviews and testing, and methods such as dynamic assessment or ecological assessment. Included are evaluations which measure the student’s social-emotional growth; independent living skills; sensorimotor, language and intellectual functioning; hearing and visual acuity; articulation and fluency; and other factors which have an effect on the student’s ability to learn.

Classes or centers who teach exceptional learners for the majority of the school day that are located on regular school sites and which group pupils who have similar instructional needs. Special classes and centers serve pupils who have intensive needs that cannot be met in a less restrictive learning environment.

Information, technical assistance and support which relates to the development, implementation, review and revision of Individual Education Programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities and/or Individual Family Service Plans (IFSPs) for infants and toddlers with disabilities who are eligible for early intervention services. IEPs are written documents developed by a team that includes a child’s parents and school staff which lists, among other things, the special education services (including transition services) the child will receive. IFSPs document family involvement and early intervention services provided to infants and toddlers with disabilities. The programs may target special education professionals and or parents; and help parents participate more effectively in the process.

Arrangements for permanent homes under new legal parentage for older children, children from minority communities, children with disabilities, sibling groups and other children who are difficult to place because of their special needs.

Job opportunities in various fields for individuals with special needs, limitations and abilities. Activities may include development of jobs that can be done in a home setting; development of markets for crafts and other items produced in the home; and identification of other work projects of benefit to the community that individuals with special needs, limitations and abilities are uniquely qualified to pursue.

Shelters for people who are frail elderly, people with disabilities, medically dependent people, institutionalized populations, unaccompanied minors and other individuals who require a level of personal support or attention not available in most mass care shelter facilities that are activated during times of disaster. Special needs shelters generally have auxiliary power to support heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and electrical power for necessary medical equipment. Special needs shelter clients include people with stable medical conditions that require periodic observation, assessment and maintenance (e.g., glucose readings, vital signs, ostomy care); people requiring periodic wound care; people with limitations which require assistance with activities of daily living; people who require assistance with their medication; people who require oxygen or are medically dependent on uninterrupted electricity for other therapies such as nebulizers or feeding tubes; and people who require full-time care and are accompanied by a full-time caregiver for the duration of their shelter stay.

An international program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities which features a variety of sports and games. Children must be age eight or older to compete. Special Olympics events include alpine skiing, aquatics (swimming, diving, flotation races), athletics (running and track and field), badminton, basketball, bocce, bowling, cross country skiing, cycling, equestrian, figure skating, floor hockey, golf, gymnastics, powerlifting, roller skating, sailing, soccer, softball, speedskating, table tennis, team handball, tennis and volleyball. Included are organizations that sponsor, organize, hold, promote, sell tickets to and publicize the events; provide information about competition schedules; and/or maintain information about current standings.

Special preschools provide educational experiences and activities that are especially designed to meet the needs of young children who are at risk for disabilities or who have been identified as having a disability and who would benefit from a structured preschool setting which focuses on social, emotional and physical development in addition to pre-academic skills. Services generally include an assessment of the child’s strengths and weaknesses and the development and implementation of an individualized plan to help the child develop confidence, self-esteem and appropriate social skills.

Psychiatric services for individuals who have serious mental, emotional and behavioral disorders in a variety of specialized inpatient and outpatient settings which range from home-based services to institutional settings and which reflect varying theoretical approaches to treatment.

Programs that specialize in handling adoptions for specific populations (e.g., children with special needs, foreign-born infants/children, or adoptions in which the race/cultural background of the child and the adopting parents are different); and/or adoptions in which there are arrangements for exchange of information and contact between birth families and adoptive families prior to the adoption and/or after the adoption has been finalized (in contrast to traditional or closed adoptions in which no information is shared and adoption information is confidential).

Treatment services which may include emotional support, problem-solving assistance, information and guidance in a variety of counseling settings for individuals who are having difficulty in coping with a traumatic experience or a personal relationship or in making the adjustments that are required by their particular stage in life.

Public elementary or secondary schools that have a curriculum which provides in depth instruction in a particular field or discipline such as the humanities, math and science, performing arts, communication, business, visual arts, medical/health professions or animal and biological sciences.

Information about community resources that are appropriate for a specific target group or human services sector (for example, youth programs or addiction services) and which link individuals who are in need of specialized services with appropriate resources and/or which provide information about community agencies and organizations that offer specialized services.

Trial-level courts of limited jurisdiction that hear only cases that deal with specific types of legal issues or disputes. Although these courts vary from state to state, many states have specialized courts for traffic matters, family law matters, probate for the administration of decedents’ estates, and small claims (for cases involving less than a specific sum of money). Rulings of these specialized courts are subject to appeal and review by state courts of general jurisdiction.

Medical or surgical procedures or behavior management interventions that have been especially developed to ameliorate or cure a specific disease, disability or condition or which modify the circumstances under which health care is provided based on the condition and mobility of the patient.

Disorders that are characterized by intense and sometimes disabling fear reactions to a specific object or situation that poses little or no actual danger. The level of fear is usually recognized by the individual as being irrational. The most common phobias in the general population involve fear of animals (particularly dogs, snakes, insects and mice), fear of heights (acrophobia) and fear of closed spaces (claustrophobia).

Equipment or other products which enhance the ability of people who are nonvocal or have speech impairments to communicate.

Comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services for individuals who have speech and/or language problems, neurological disorders or diseases or disorders of the middle, inner and outer ear; larynx; tongue; mouth; or other structures whose coordination and appropriate functioning are necessary for speech and/or hearing.

Evaluations that establish the nature and extent of an individual’s language and/or speech deficits in order to devise an appropriate treatment plan.

Comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services for individuals who have language disorders or speech impairments including people who have neurological disorders; articulation, fluency or voice disorders; delayed language; cleft palate; tongue thrust problems; stuttering; or aphasia.

Any of a number of conditions that interfere with the individual’s ability to produce audible utterances to such a degree that the resultant sounds do not serve satisfactorily as the basic tool for oral expression. Speech difficulties fall into several categories: articulation problems in which speech sounds are omitted, replaced by substitute sounds or distorted; voice problems in which pitch, loudness or quality of voice are affected; and fluency problems including stuttering.

Individuals who have hearing impairments are taught to understand what is being said by observing the speakers’ lips as well as other behavioral clues such as gestures and facial expressions.

Individual or group therapy sessions which focus on the remediation of specific articulation problems in which speech sounds are omitted, replaced by substitute sounds or distorted; voice problems in which pitch, loudness or quality of voice is affected; or stuttering.