Adult Day Care – a daytime activities program provided to stimulate person with mental retardation and persons with Alzheimer’s disease.

The Arc – a private-not-for-profit advocacy organization comprised of parents, educators, human services and medical professionals and concerned citizens formed for the expressed purpose of protecting the rights, promoting the general welfare and to uphold the dignity of person of all ages who have mental retardation and to provide support to these individuals and their families.

“At Risk” – a term relating to a child who needs Early Intervention (pre-school) services to the potential for the development of a mental handicap.

Base Allocation – a category of state funds provided to county MH/MR Administrators that may be used for a variety of services as determined by the county.

BSU (Base Service Unit) – an county or private agency that provides a variety of mental retardation support services, e.g., intake, diagnosis, case management, service authorization and utilization, client liability determination, medication clinic and crisis intervention.  The BSU is the initial starting point for the request of mental retardation services funded by the county Mental Health/Mental Retardation monies.  Service Access and Management, Inc. is Berks County’s BSU.

Casemanagement –function of diagnosis and intake, identifying, authorizing, coordinating and reviewing all the services needed and/or received for an individual.  Case manager is an individual who is responsible to see that the specified service functions are fulfilled.   Categorical Funding – funding mechanism to channel Pennsylvania state funds or federal funds to each county for one specific type of service.  The funds may be used for that service only.  There may be several categorical funding allocations each fiscal year, but each is for specific service.

CLA ( Community Living Arrangement) – a community located residential program providing living accommodations for 3-5 residents with staff supervision.  Funding provided through the PA Office of Mental Retardation administered by the county MH/MR Administrator.  Synonymous, group home.  Program designed to train each resident to function as independently as possible.

Client Liability – some state and federal regulations require that an individual, parent or guardian financially participate in the cost of the service utilized – applicable for specific services.  A financial determination is made on each person to the monthly “deductible” amount that must be paid toward the total cost of the services.  Once the deductible amount has been reached, funding will assume the balance of the total cost for that month.  Liability amounts are assessed on a sliding scale based on total individual or family income.

CMS (Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services) - formerly HCFA (Health Care Finances Administration)

CMT (County Transformation Manager) - one person in each county designated to coordinate the implementation of the transformation of the MR service delivery system in that county.

Commitment – a legal proceeding, whereby a petitioner requests an involuntary confinement of another individual in a mental retardation or mental health facility for a period of up to 90 days.  Individual being committed must have legal counsel to represent his/her interests. “406” commitment identifies an involuntary commitment to a mental retardation facility.  A “302, 303, 304 or 305” commitment identifies an involuntary commitment to a mental health treatment facility.  

Community Programs - an educational, vocation, housing or other service that is provided in the community-at-large rather than in an segregated institutional setting.

Confidentiality – right to privacy.  A person does not lose this right because he is receiving services, and people sharing information and records about a person must respect the person’s right to privacy.

Consumer – person with a development disability seeking or receiving specialized mental retardation services.  Synonymous with term “clients.”  Parents and guardians of a person with a developmentally disabled  care also consumers.

Crisis Intervention – services initiated to avoid or lessen the impact of an injurious or life threatening situation, in terms of psychological, medical or environmental support.

Day Program (non-residential) – skill development and training programs that are provided during normal working hours where participants commute on a daily basis.  Types of day programs include:  sheltered employment; partial hospitalization, drop-in center; adult day care; work stations in industry and competitive employment.

Developmental Model – the theory that all individuals learn and acquire new skills in a similar sequence and process that continues throughout life.

Drop in Center –  (see Day Program)

Dual Diagnosis - within the mental health and mental retardation service systems this indicates that a person has both a mental health problem and is affected by mental retardation.

Due Process -  in special education a term defining the system which protects the rights of students to receive fair and equal treatment under the law.  This means, in part, that individuals who may be adversely affected by a decision must be informed of the proposed changes/charges against him and must be granted a hearing conducted somewhat under the rules of the court. 

Early Intervention – programs for children from infancy to approximately age 5 that are diagnosed as having a handicapping condition or considered “at risk” (perceived problems can be eliminated or the situation improved with special training) or exhibiting special needs.  Programs provide appropriate stimulation and structured in areas of sensory, visual, tactile stimulation, cognitive motor skill training.  Parents are usually involved in the teaching process.

Family Aid – services provided in the home that supports both the individual and his/her caretakers that may be provided in the home for short time periods.  Service can be provided through the Family Support Services (FSS) funding.

Family Living Program – a residential program in which an individual resides with a family contracted to provide a home and normative living environment.  Provided with state funds administered by the county MH/MR administrator with program supervision purchased from a service provider agency.

Fee for Service – funding procedure between provider or service and funding source based on a pre-arranged per diem rated or cost for each time service is provided.  Service funded only when used regardless of actual costs being over or under fixed rates.

FSS (Family Support Services) – services provided to individuals and their families, including parent relief, respite care, social activities, day camp and in-home counseling.  

Group Home – (see CLA)

Guardian, Legal – an individual appointed by a court of law to be responsible for another individual who has been adjudicated incompetent to handle his/her own affairs or specific areas of his/her life, such as managing finances or authorizing acute medical treatment.

Guardian of the Estate - an individual appointed by a court of law to be responsible only for the financial matters of an individual who has been adjudicated incompetent to handle his or her own financial affairs.

HCSIS (Home and Community Services Information System) - PA Department of Public Welfare internet-based record-keeping system.  Information is maintained for each person receiving Mental Retardation services and the specific services received.

ICF/MR (Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally Retarded) – Medical Assistance (MA) funded residential program based on medical model.  Residence will provide support and supervision for 5 or more individuals.

IER (Individual Estimate of Resources) - process of evaluating an individual's needs and establishing a financial budget based on the identified needs. IEP (Individual Education Plan) – an education plan written for each exceptional child as required by the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, P.L. 94-142.  

IHP (Individual Habilitation Plan) – plan used to identify and assess goals established for an individual residing in a residential program.  To include health, financial, vocational, recreational, social, daily living skill information and staff goal assignments.  Established annually with a review every six months.

IM4Q (Individual Monitoring for Quality) - statewide project begun in 1999 whereby a team of two to three individuals interview consumers who receive MR services to complete a satisfactory survey.  The survey quantifies the quality of the services received and how well the services meet their needs.

ISO (Intermediary Service Organization) - an entity or entities that can provide administrative and financial record keeping support services to individuals and families relating direct purchasing for services from an individual.  Services might include hiring, training, payroll and employee-related requirements, billing, payment of invoices.

ISP (Individual Support Plan) - see IHP

Inclusion - a philosophy whereby individuals with a handicap are fully served in a setting with others who do not have a disability.

Incompetent – legal term indicating that in a court of law an individual has been determined to be incapable of making decisions regarding his/her life or property.   

Intake – initial gathering of family, developmental, educational, vocational and medical history required to establish an individual record for county MH/MR office files.  Initial data is collected at the Service Access and Management office.  

Itinerant (teacher) – teacher who travels from location to location to provide direct instructional services to students, e.g. speech therapist, vision or hearing consultant, prescriptive motor trainer.  Also an actual special education job title, Itinerant Teacher Consultant – serves as resource person to other teachers for support services and assists in IEP development.  

IU (Intermediate Unit) – educational service agencies established by the PA Department of Education to provide consultation, administrative, regular and special educational program services and supports to school districts situated in one county or a geographic area.   

IWPP (Individual Written Program Plan) – plan used to define and assess goals for each individual in a workshop setting.  Concentrates on vocational skill development and work related behavior.    

Job Placement – employment locator and referral service for persons with a disability.  Many times includes the use of a job coach.   

Job Coach – individual who provides on-the-job support of a person with a disability at the employment site.  The job coach will perform the same functions as the employee in order to train the him/her.   

LEA (Local Educational Agency) – term used in special education to identify the school district as the agency responsible for providing direct services to children requiring special education services.  

Least Restrictive Setting – the most natural and appropriate placement in which an individual’s educational, developmental or vocational program can be provided.  Setting should be one where there is the most freedom.  

Life Management Plan - a written individual plan used in the MH/MR service delivery system which is created by the casemanager to include an in depth summary of the individual’s social, treatment and programmatic history, as well as plans for service and needs for one year.  Plans updated at least annually.  

MA (Medical Assistance) – medical benefits provided by Federal/State funding to adults who qualify based on amount of assets and income.

Mainstreaming – a special education term meaning to maintain exceptional students in a regular classroom or a classroom located within a regular school building.  Keep students with their peers whether exceptional or not.  

MH/MR – term used to identify the Mental Health/Mental Retardation service delivery system at the state or county level. 

Normalization – philosophy that developmentally disabled persons would have available to them in the least restrictive environment those routines and conditions of daily life which are as close as possible to the normal daily routines and  life styles of society in general.  

OMR (Office of Mental Retardation) – a division of the PA Department of Public Welfare having responsibility for services to persons with mental retardation.  

On-Site Training – supervised vocational training provided at the location where actual work is performed.

OVR (Office of Vocational Rehabilitation) - a division of the PA Department of Labor and Industry that provides persons with disabilities, of employable age, with medical, psychological and vocational evaluations to determine eligibility for specialized services.  Services include vocational counseling and guidance, medical or psychiatric treatment, personal and/or work adjustment training, vocational training (post secondary), job readiness and job placement assistance.  There is a financial means standard for cost of services.  

PA Protection & Advocacy, Inc. (PP&A) – is Pennsylvania’s private, non-profit corporation designated by the Governor as the Commonwealth’s protection and advocacy” system for persons with disabilities.

Parent Relief – in-home support services to individuals and their families.  Services can be designed to give supervision to the individual while providing a break for the family caregivers.

Partial Hospitalization Program – a psychiatric oriented day program available to individuals with a diagnosis of mental retardation who also have a mental health disorder.  Components of the program may include counseling, group discussions, crafts, recreational activities, and management of psychiatric medications.  

P.E.N. (Parent Education network) – a federally funded organization of parents and professionals established to provide information and to train parents of special needs children to effectively advocate for their child’s entitlements and their rights granted under the federal and state special education laws.

PFDS (Person and Family Directed Support) - federal waiver program providing funds for direct support to families to assist in keeping the individual with a disability in the home.

PLF (Private Licensed Facility) – a private facility that provides long-term care and supervision for usually over 15 individuals with mental retardation who have severe or multiple physical and mental disabilities.    

Preschool program – (see Early Intervention)  

Program Funded – funding mechanism between a provider of service agency and the funding source based on a prearranged budget that is paid in monthly increments.   A constant amount of income is received monthly irregardless of the amount of expenses paid during that period.  Reconciliation of income and expenses is made at the end of the agreement period.  

Provider (of service)– an agency, organization, usually privately operated, that provides direct program services to individuals with mental retardation.  

Public Law 94-142 – Federal legislation, “Education for All Handicapped Children Act ,” of 1974, mandating that a free and appropriate public education be provided to all children with a handicapping condition. 

PUNS (Prioritization of Urgent Needs for Services) - process whereby the needs of an individual are included in a standardized format for requesting state funding.  All requests are based on the same criteria and in the same manner.  

Residential – (see CLA; ICF/MR; State Center; PFL)  

Respite Care – temporary residential program that provides a supervised environment for a period of time not less than 24 hours nor more than a total of 30 days annually.  Supervision may be performed in own home, the home of another or in a respite care center.  

Right to Treatment – term describing the legal right of persons with mental retardation to habilitation.  Pennsylvania State law guarantees persons with mentally retardation the right to treatment in the least restrictive environment.  This means that prior to committing a person to an institution, a court must determine whether a less restrictive setting is available or can be developed in the county in which the person lives.

Risk Management - function under the HCSIS for reporting and collecting data on all critical incidents occurring in specialized service programs, i.e., hospitalizations; deaths; physical injury and/or abuse; involvement with fire or police departments.  

School Age –the earliest admission age in which a child may enroll in a school district’s kindergarten program or, when no kindergarten program is provided, the districts earliest age for beginners.  

Self-Determination – the guiding principle for changing Pennsylvania's mental retardation service delivery system.  Principle is based that all persons should control as much of their life choices as possible.  Each individual has different wants and needs and should have the opportunity to make choices for themselves.  Services should be created by and for each individual.  

Sheltered Employment (Workshop) – a specialized daytime work setting for persons with mental retardation designed to provide vocational, as well as, prevocational skills with the ultimate goal being competitive employment.   

Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) – state-licensed private medically oriented facility that provides 24 hour a day care and supervision.  Nursing homes are equipped to provide medical care and may be an appropriate residential placement for a person with mental retardation with on-going, complicated medical problems.  

Slot – term that represents funding for one program participant in a particular service program.  

SSI (Supplemental Security Income) – a program under the Social Security Administration directing additional income to aged, blind or disabled persons.  Eligibility based on projected duration of disability and personal assets and income.  

State Center – a segregated residential complex usually serving over 100 persons with mental retardation providing all programmatic and medical needs.  The PA Department of Public Welfare, Office of Mental Retardation operates facility.  Operating funds primarily state revenues and Medical Assistance payments.

Supports Coordinator - see CASE MANAGEMENT  

Supported Employment – a vocational program that enables persons with a disability to attain and maintain competitive employment, through a system of supports ranging from on-site job training to case management.  

Title XX – a federal program of the Social Security Administration providing funding for services such as day care, special living arrangements, employment programs, counseling and information and referral.  Administered in Pennsylvania by the Office of Social Programs.

Transformation - a PA Office of Mental Retardation initiative to revise the entire mental retardation service delivery system to base the services and the delivery process on the needs of and at the direction by each individual.  

Transition – the move from one level of service to another, e.g. from early intervention program to school; from school to adult life.  

Transition Plan – a multi-year special education document that establishes classes and programs that will be provided during the remaining years a student has in school until the end of their educational eligibility.  The focus of all course work depends upon what the student plans to do following graduation.  Planning usually begins when student is 14 years of age.

Waiver (funding) - federal programs providing funds for specific purposes such as residential services or in-home services.  Funds are disseminated through the state and the county MH/MR offices.  

Work Stations in Industry – vocational training that takes place in an employer’s work facility supervised by trainers from a provider agency.  The purpose of the program is provide training is a true work environment with the hope that some of the trainees will be hired as employees as a direct result of their performance in that workplace.