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AA Alcoholics Anonymous of the Lehigh Valley

AAA Area Agency on Aging

AAC Augmentative and Alternative Communication

AACAP American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

AACWA Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act –federal law

AAIDD American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, formerly known as the American Association on Mental Retardation. This organization provides supports and recognizes the personal strengths of all individuals with disabilities. They offer trainings, resources, and an online journal.

AAMR America Association on Mental Retardation

AAPD American Association of People with Disabilities This is a National nonprofit cross disability member organization.

AARP American Association of Retired Persons

ABA Applied Behavioral Analysis - behavior tht is rewarded is more likely to be repeated than behavior ignored

ABIN Acquired Brain Injury Network

ABOARD Advisory Board on Autism and Related Disorders - Information and advocacy for families of children, adolescents and adults with autism.

ACE's Adverse Childhood Experiences - For more information you can go to: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; or view information on the Ace Study or the Sanctuary Model or at Calvacade Productions.

ACF Administration for Children and Families

ACT Alternatives to Coercive Techniques - an initiative of DPW (Restraint Reduction)

ACT Assertive Community Treatment - An adult MH & D&A program through ElWYN. ACT team available 12 hours per day

ADA Americans with Disabilities Act Another website provides searches through categories such as employment, public accommodations, transportation, recreation, and enforcement

ADD Attention Deficit Disorder

ADDA National Attention Deficit Disorder Association

ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ADL Activities of Daily Living

ADS Adult Day Services - MR for communication, personal, vocational, socialization, cognitive, motor skills, ADL's, education, recreation

ADT Adult Developmental Training, see ADS

AE  Administrative Entity

AFCARS Adoption and Foster Care Analysis Reporting System

AFDC Aid to Families with Dependent Children

AFSP American Foundation for Suicide Prevention The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is the leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research and education, and to reaching out to people with mood disorders and those impacted by suicide.

AGRE Autism Genetic Resource Genetic Exchange

AHEAD Association on Higher Education and Disability - Information for individuals with disabilities who are interested in higher education (college).

AIDS Acquired Immune deficiency Syndrome

ALANON Family Group Support for family members of an alcoholic

ALAW Autism Living and Working - Information and support for adults wtih autism to live independently

ALD Assistive Lestening Device

ALS Average Length of Stay (service)

ALS Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) ALS Association is a national not-for-profit voluntary health organization

AMA American Medical Association

AMI Alliance for Mentally Ill

AOA Administration on Aging

AOPC Administrative Office Pennsylvania Courts

APE Adaptive Physical Education

APD Advanced Psychiatric Directive

APD Allentown Police Department

APHP Acute Partial Hospitalization Program - 5 days/week, MH Tx program, 1:1, groups, and perhaps family therapy. Psychiatrist available to prescribe medication. MA or insurance required in most cases.

APPLA Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement

APS Approved Private School

APSI Adolescent Problem Severity Index - assessment in D&A

ARC Advocacy and Resources for Citizens with cognitive, intellectual, and developmental disabilities

ARC American Red Cross

ARCH Autism Resource Community Hub of Lehigh Valley

ARM Allentown Rescue Mission

AS Autistic Support

ASA Autism Society of America

ASAM American Society of Addiction Medicine

ASCII American Standard Code for Information Interchange

ASD Allentown School District

ASD Autism Spectrum Disorder

ASFA Adoption and Safe Families Act - youth should be raised in as family-like setting as possible; biological families, adoptive parents, or relatives

ASHA American Speech & Hearing Association

ASL American Sign Language

ASPEN Asperger Syndrome Education Network, Inc.

AT Assistive Technology

ATF Adult Training Facility - MR day supports for adults to develop skills with personal needs

AVTS Area Vocational Technical School

AYP Adequate Yearly Progress (related to education)

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C&Y Children and Youth

CA Cocaine Anonymous

CAA Combating Autism Act

CAAC County Administrators Advisory Committee

CAC Child Advocacy Center

CACLV Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley

CADA Council on Alcohol & Drug Abuse

CADD Cassandra Affective Deprivation Disorder - When a person with Asperger's Syndrome enters a relationship with a neurotypical partner, the NT partner is likely to experience social-emotional deprivation and may suffer serious consequences.

CADDRE Center for Autism & Developmental Disabilities Research & Epidemiology

CAFAS Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale - degree of impairment in ADLs due to emotional, behavioral, psychological, psychiatric, or substance abuse problems.

CALM Counseling Awareness to be Legally Mandated

CALP Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency

CAN Child Abuse & Neglect

CAN Cure Autism Now

CANS Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths assessment - pts can complete self-assessments in the provider's office. Can be used to assess outcomes for pts.

CAO Chief Administrative Officer

CAO County Assistance Office - the county offices of the Department which administer the Medical Assistance program at the local level. Department staff in these offices perform necessary Medical Assistance functions such as determining recipient eligibility.

CAP Customer Assistance Program. Monthly payment based on gross income, household size, and usage at the property. Household income must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty income guidelines. Must have active residential heating or no-heating UGI account. Contact 1-800-UGI-WARM.

CAPTA Child Abuse Prevention Treatment Act

CAPTA Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act - federal law, guidance for CPS

CARF Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities

CART Computer Aided Realtime Translation

CASA Court Appointed Special Advocate - a volunteer who works with families, a set of objective eyes

CASSP Child & Adolescent Service System Program

CATS Commonwealth Approved Training System

CAU County Administrative Unit

CAVP Corrective Action Verification Plan

CBA Curriculum Based Assessment

CBHU Children's Behavioral Health Unit

CBS Community Based Services

CC Cultural Competence

CCBH Community Care Behavioral Health

CCI Community Commitment Incorporated

CCRS Consolidated Community Reporting System

CCYA Lehigh County Children and Youth Agency

CDC Center for Disease Control and Prevention

CDR Council for Disability Rights - Advancing rights and enhancing lives of people with disabilities

CDS College of Direct Support

CER Comprehensive Evlauation Report (or ER)

CERC Corrections Education Records Center

CFO Chief Financial Officer

CFR Code of Federal Regualations

C/FST Consumer & Family Satisfaction Team

C-GAS Children's Global Assessment Scale

CHADD Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Chapter 14 Regulations of PA Board of Education - implementing IDEA

Chapter 15 Regulations of PA Board of Education - implementing 504

Chapter 342 Standards of PA Secretary of Education - implementing, no longer in effect

CHIP Children's Health Insurance Program - If parents make too much for MA, this costs little to nothing. Child is not eligible for Medicaid or have other health insurance, under age 19, family income of 19,600 for family of 1 to 67,200 for a family of 8 for the free program.

CHIPP Community Hospital Integrated Program Project - assisting pts with the movement out of the state hospital.

CHOE Children's Home of Easton

CHOP Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

CHOR Children's Home of Reading

CI Community Integration

CI Crisis Intervention

CIS Client Information System - the department's automated file of Medical Assistance eligible recipients

CISC Children in Substitute Care - children and adolescents living outside their homes in the legal custody of a public agency, in any of the following settings: shelter homes, foster family homes, group homes, supervised independent living, residential treatment facilities, residential placement (other than youth development centers) for children and adolescents who have been adjudicated dependent or delinquent.

CJAB Criminal Justice Advisory Board

CLA Community Living Arrangement - a group home, also called a CH (Community Home)

CLD Cultural and Linguistic Diversity

CLIU-21 Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21

CM Casemanager

CMHPSR The Center for Mental Health Policy and Services Research at the University of PA

CMHS Center for Mental Health Services, also known as Community Mental Health Centers

CMS Case Management Services

CMS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services - an agency of the Federal Department of Health & Human Services which provides guidance to the states regarding Federal regulation of the Medicare & Medicaid programs

COA Council on Accreditaion of Services for Families and Children Service, Inc

COB Coordiantion of Benefits

COBPD Childhood - Onset Bipolar Disorder

COC Conference of Churches

COD Co-Occurring Disorders - mental health & substance abuse disorders

COE Center of Excellence

COG Change of Goal

COLA Cost of Living Adjustment

COMPASS Commonwealth of PA Access to Social Services

COP Communities of Practice

CP Cerebral Palsy

CPARC Cumberland-Perry Association for Retarded Citizens -

CPEA Collaborative Program of Excellence in Autism

CPS Certified Peer Specialist

CPS Child Protective Services - at CAC, abuse

CPSL Child Protective Services Law, also known as Act 179

CQI Continuous Quality Improvement

CRF Code of Federal Regulations

CRF Community Residential Facility

CRNP Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner

CRP Community Rehabilitation Program

CRR Community Residential Rehabilitation - short-term living arrangement for adults ages 18+ identified with a serious & persistent mental illness & require support in a group home/community-living setting

CRR GH Community Rehabilitative Residence Group Home - an intensive & structured group-living program for children & adolescents who are unable to live within family environment but do not require intensity of an RTF. MA insurance is required

CRR HH Community Rehabilitative Residence Host Home - an intensive & structured family-living home with highly trained "therapeutic parents" for children & adilescents. MA insureance is required.

CSA Catholic Social Agency

CSAT Center for Substance Abuse Treatment

CSC Community Services for Children - provides child & family development services to low-income families

CSI Consumer Satisfaction Instruments

CSP Community Support Program

CST Consumer Satisfaction Team

CTC Career and Technical Education Center

CTT Community Treatment Team - to assist/divert clients from state hospital admissions. All inclusive; ICM, nursing, psychiatry, crisis care. The most intense outpatient level of care for adults

CTTOPP Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing

CVC Crime Victims Council

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EAHCA Education for All Handicapped Children's Act - a federal law

EAP Employee Assistance Program

EBP Evidence-Based Practice

ECMHS Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Project

ED Emotional Disturbance

EEAP Emergency Energy Assistance Program

EEOC Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - Government agency that handles complaints about employment discrimination based on age, sex, race, ethnicity, and disability. Information for young workers about their equal employment opportunity rights and responsibilities.

EI Early Intervention - birth to 3 years, funded by DPW after the age of 3 PDE funds

EIBE Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention

EIOP Early Intervention and Outreach Programs

EIPA Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment

EITA Early Intervention Technical Assistance

ELC-PA Education Law Center of Pennsylvania

ELL English Language Learners

ELP Essential Life Style Planning

EMR Educable Mentally Retarded

ENHT Enhanced Nursing Home Transition

EPSDT Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis & Treatment - a federal Medicaid program, a comprehensive and preventive child health program

ER Emergency Room

ER Evaluation Report (formerly CER)

ES Emotional Support

ESL English as a Second Language

ESOL English for Speakers of Other Languages

ESY Extended School Year - special education services are extended beyond the normal school year

EVS Eligibility Verification System - An automated system available to MA Providers and other specified organizations for on-line verification of MA eligibility, MCO enrollment, third party resources, and scope of benefits.

GA Gamblers Anonymous

GAF Global Assessment of Functioning

GLBT Gay, Lesbian, bisexual, and questioning

GPS General Protective Services (neglect, poverty, medical care)

GRASP The Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership An educational and advocational organization for individuals with an Asperger diagnosis.

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JABG Juvenile Accountability Block Grant - Interagency information sharing for early identification, supervision, and treatment including mental heatlh screening & treatment

JCAHO Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations

JCJC Juvenile Court Judges' Commission

JDC Juvenile Detention Center - A publicly or privately administered, secure resitential placement for:
- Children and adolescents alleged to have committed delinquent acts who are awaiting a court hearing;

- Children and adolescents who have been adjudicated delinquent and are awaiting disposition or awaiting placement; and

- Children and adolescents who have been returned from some other form of disposition and are awaiting a new disposition (e.g., court order regarding custody of child, placement of child, or services to be provided to the child upon discharge from the Juvenile Detention Center).

JDCAP Juvenile Detention Centers Association of PA

JIFF Juvenile Inventory For Functioning - A screening instrument for case managers, juvenile probation officers, detention center staff, residential facility staff, school nurses, child protection and welfare, and others. The JIFF can be used to; determine the need for evaluation by a mental healthe professional, identify problems early in youth, facilitate access to prevention and community-based programs that divert youth from more intensive programs.

JIS Juvenile Information Sharing

JJDP Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act - provisions that allow for the use of funds to support mental health treatment to delinquent youth or at risk of delinquency.

JLC Juvenile Law Center

JCJC Juvenile Court Judges Commission

JPO Juvenile Probation Officer

MA Medical Assistance

MAID Medical Assistance Identification Number

MAPS Making Action Plans - in MR a planning process, lifestyle planning

MARC Montgomery County Association of Retarded Citizens

MATP Medical Assistance Transportation Program - a program in counties

MAWA Mutually Agreed UPON Written Arrangement - with education agency providing EI on behalf of PDE for ages 3 to 5

MAYSI-2 Massachussets Youth Screening Instrument - Second Version - a screening tool to assist juvenile justice facilities in identifying youths (ages 12-17) who may have special mental health needs. Takes 15 minutes to administer & doesn't require expertise of a mental health professional for scoring & interpretation.

MBH Magellan Behavioral Health

MCI Master Client Index

MCO Managed Care Organization - An entity which manages the purchase and provision of physical or Behavioral Health Services under the Health Choices Program.

MD Multiple Disabilities

MDD Major Depressive Disorder

MDE Multi-Disciplinary Evaluation

MDR Manifestation Determination Review

MDT Multi-Disciplinary Team

M4Q Monitoring for Quality

MH Mental Health

MHAPA Mental Health Association in PA

MHSIP Mental Health Statistics Improvement Program

MH/MR Mental Health/Mental Retardation

MHMRA Mental Health and Mental Retardation Act of 1966

MHPA Mental Health Procedures Act of 1976

MHPC Mental Health Planning Council

MISA Mental Illness and Substance Abuse

MMHT Mobile Mental Health Treatment

MOE Method of Evaluation

MOU Memorandum of Understanding

MOW Meals on Wheels

MPI Master Provider Index

MR Mental Retardation Intellectual disability is characterized both by a significantly below-average score on a test of mental ability or intelligence and by limitations in the ability to function in areas of daily life, such as communication, self-care, and getting along in social situations and school activities. Intellectual disability is sometimes referred to as a cognitive disability or mental retardation.

MSF Multiple Sclerosis Foundation - Multiple Sclerosis Foundation provides support services free of charge throughout the country for all people with an interest in or diagnosed with

MST Multi System Therapy - in home (4-6 months, 24 hour availability) intensive family & community based therapy. It targets violent or substance abusing juvenile offenders at risk for out-of-home placement. Goal: to enable parents to address issues of the child & empower youth to cope with family, peer, school & neighborhood problems, reduce criminal activity & other antisocial behaviors.

MT Mobile Therapist

MT Music Therapist

MYP Multi-Year Plan

NAAPA National Autism Association of Pennsylvania - A variety of resources can be found at their website.

NAAR National Alliance for Autism Research

NACDD National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities

NADD The National Association for the Dually Diagnosed - Education, training and information on mental health issues relating to persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

NAMI National Allianace for the Mentally Ill NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots organization for people with mental illness and their families. Founded in 1979, NAMI has affiliates in every state and in more than 1,100 local communities across the country.

NAPS National Association of Peer Spcialists

NAR-Anon Family members or friends of someone abusing drugs. Narcotics Anonymous.

NATTAP The Network of Autism Training and Technical Assistance Programs

Natural Supports Individuals and organizations in the family's own community, kinship, social, or spiritual networks, such as friends, extended family members, ministers, neighbors, and so forth.

NCCP National Center for Children in Poverty

NCD National Council on Disability - Information and links to state and federal resources and Individual rights.

NCIL National Council on Independent Living - advocates for the human rights of, and services for, people with disabilities to further their full integration and participation in society.

NCLB No Child Left Behind

NCLD National Center for Learning Disabilities

NCOA National Council on Aging

NCQA National Council/Committee on Quality Assurance

NCSET National Center on Secondary Education and Transition - Creating opportunities for youth with disabilities to achieve successful futures.

NCWD National Center on Workforce and Disability - Information on assisting adults and youth with disabilities find jobs.

NDC National Drug Code

NDSS National Down Syndrome Society This is a not-for -profit organization supporting research in the United States. It includes details of education and advocacy programs.

NFI New Freedom Initiative - annual funding to support continued activities of coalitions to promote community-based care.

NFXF National Fragile X Foundation - A comprehensive site dedicated to information and resources pertainining to Fragile X Syndrome.

NH Nursing Home

NHS Northwestern Human Services

NICHCY National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities - Information on disabilities with focus on transition, vocational assessments, options after high school, transition services, state resources, fact sheets, etc.

NICHD National Institute of Child Health & Human Development

NIDCD National Institute on Deafness & other Communication Disorders

NIEHS National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

NIH National Institutes of Health

NIMH National Institute of Mental Health - Fact sheets and information regarding mental health.

NINDS National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

NISH Creating Employment Opportunities for People with Developmental Disabilities

NLCDD National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities

NMHA National Mental Health Association - A noprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness.

NOP Non Offending Parent

NORA Notice of Recommended Assignment

NORD National Organization for Rare Disorders

NOREP Notice of Recommended Educational Placement

NOS Not Otherwise Specified- This designation abbreviated NOS can be used when the mental disorder appears to fall within the larger category but does not meet the criteria of any specific disorder within that category.

NPND National Parent Network on Disabilities - This organization provides a presence and national voice for All families and children, youth and adults with disabilities. A variety of information is offered.

NSCIA National Spinal Cord Injury Association - This is a civilian organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of Americans living with the results of spinal cord injury and disease (SCI/D) and their families. This number grows by thirty newly-injured people each day.

NT Neurotypical - so-called 'normal' individuals. Neurotypical (or NT) people have neurological development and state that are consistent with what most people would perceive as normal in their ability to process linguistic information and social cues. [1] While originally coined among the autistic community as a label for non-autistic persons, [2] the concept was later adopted by both the neurodiversity movement and the scientific community.

PABS PA Positive Behavior Support

PAC Planning and Advisory Committee

PACE Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly

PACER Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights - Information and links to topics affecting families of young adults with disabilities such as transition to work, employment strategies for young adults with disabilities, health, etc.

PACHSA PA Association of County Human Services Administrators

PACSES PA's Child Support Enforcement System

PACT Pennsylvania Community on Transition

PA Mentor Services to Youth in Lehigh Pennsylvania include COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION SERVICES (CRR), THERAPEUTIC FOSTER CARE (TFC), FOSTER FAMILY CARE (FFC) and RESPITE SERVICES in a Host Home setting. The Lehigh Office serves: Berks, Lehigh, Northampton, Schuylkill Counties.

PAP Patient Assistance Program

PAR PA Association of Resources for Persons with Mental Retardation

PARC PA Association for Retarded Children

PARF PA Association of Rehabilitation Facilities

PASA Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment

PASSABCO The PA Social Security Administration Benefits Counseling and Assistance Project

PATH Parent Advocate in The Home program - Serves young families with newborns or toddlers, at-risk for child neglect & abuse. VNA sponsers this program.

PATH Planning Alternative Tommorows with Hope - lifestyle planning in MR

PATH Projects to Assist in Transition from Homelessness

PATHS Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies - A community-based drug prevention program in Phila. that promotes the "emotional intelligence" of children. It is an evidence-based prevention curriculum, focusing on self-control, positive self-esteem, emotional awareness, and interpersonal problem-solving.

PaTTAN Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network

PAWL PA Waiting List Campaign

PBIS  Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports

PBS Positive Behavioral Support - behavioral systems are used to design effective schools

PCAP Pennsylvania Customer Assistance Program - Alternative payment energy plan for low-income, payment troubled residential customers. Individual must apply for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Energy Conservation and Education Program (WARM) Contact 1-800-545-7741

PCBH Personal Care Boarding Home

PCCD The PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency - Organized to improve the criminal and juvenile justice systems by promoting interagency coordination and cooperation. Grants made available for juvenile justice and delinquency prevention projects with a mental health component. It funds MST, and FFT, Mutidimensional Treatment, Foster Care, and Brief Strategic Family Therapy.

PCCJPO Pa Council of Chief Juvenile Probation Officers

PCH Personal Care Homes - An MR home for 4 or more individuals who need help with ADLs, medications, and money management.

PCP Person Centered Planning

PCP Primary Care Provider - Specific medical services provider responsible for providing care services and locating, coordinating and monitoring medical care and rehabilitation services on behalf of an MA recipient. A specific physician, physician group, or a certified registered nurse practitioner.

PCPA PA Community Providers Association PCPA promotes a community-based, responsive and viable system of agencies providing quality services for individuals receiving mental health, intellectual disabilities, addictive disease and other related human services.

PCPC Pennsylvania Client Placement Criteria - these are a set of guidelines designed to provide clinicians with a basis for determining the most appropriate care for clients with drug and alcohol problems.

PDA PA Department of Aging

PDD Pervasive Developmental Disorder

PDD-NOS Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified

PDE Pennsylvania Department of Education

PE Physical Education

PEAC PA Education for All Coalition - A parent consultant network promoting education for all children.

PECS Picture Exchange Communication System - Click on the link and search "PECS" A form of alternative communication that uses pictures instead of words to help children to communicate. It is designed especially for children with autism who have delays in speech development.

PEN Parent Education Network PEN is Pennsylvania's statewide Parent Training and Information Center.

PEP Psyco Educational Profile

PFA Protection From Abuse

P/FDSW Person/Family directed Support Waiver - in the MR system

PFI PA Families Inc. - through NAMI, common concerns about children are shared

PFLAG Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays

PH Physical Health

PHA Psychiatric Hospital Association

PHC Prehearing Conference

PHEAA Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency

PHI Protected Health Information

PHLP Pennsylvania Health Law Project PHLP is a nationally recognized expert and consultant on access to health care for low-income consumers, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. For more than two decades, PHLP has engaged in direct advocacy on behalf of individual consumers while working on the kinds of health policy changes that promise the most to the Pennsylvanians in greatest need.

PH-MCO Physical Health Managed Care Organization - Commonwealth licensed risk-bearing entity contracted with DPW to manage purchase and provision of physical health services to MA recipients

PHP Partial Hospitalization Program - 2 to 5 days per week for 3 or more hours per day; mental health treatment program. There is individual and group therapy

PIAT-R Peabody Individual Achievement Test - Revised

PIC Private Industry Council PA CareerLink Lehigh Valley is an employment center that connects employers and job opportunities with qualified job seekers. PA CareerLink Centers are funded primarily by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and chartered by the Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board, Inc.

PIHP Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan - An entity that provides medical services to enrolled recipients, under contract with the Midicaid agency and on the basis of prepaid capitation fees.

PILCOP Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia

PIN Parents Involved Network Parents Involved Network of Pennsylvania ( PIN ) is an organization that assists parents or caregivers of children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders. PIN provides information, helps parents find services and will advocate on their behalf with any of the public systems that serve children. These include the mental health system, education, and other state and local child-serving agencies.

PIRC Pennsylvania Parent Information and Resource Center If you are a parent or guardian — and want your child to do well in every grade and get the best education possible — the PIRC in your state can help you.

PLF Private Licensed Facility (Interim Care)

PMHCA PA Mental Health Consumers Association

PMPM Per Member Per Month

PNSAS PA Network for Student Assistance Services

PO Probation Officer

POM Performance Outcome Measures

POMS Performance Outcome Management System

POSNET PA Open Systems Network - DPW's computer system to send and receive files from the department's contractors

PP&A PA Protection & Advocacy - for persons with disabilities

PPCRN PA Parents Caregivers Resource Network and the POWER Network

PPLC PA Psychiatry Leadership Council

PPO Preferred Provider Organization - A Commonwealth licensed person, partnership, association or corporation which establishes, operates, maintains or underwrites in whole or in part a preferred Provider arrangement.

PPRT Positive Practice Resource Team - ODP and OMHSAS help counties/providers for dual MH and MR individuals to develop a life skills assessment, develop a plan and resolve problems. They monitor and help the provider by giving direction.

PPVT Peabody Picture Vocabulary

PR Permanency Review

PROMISe Provider Reimbursement and Operations Management Information System - an Internet service for providers to process claims.

PROVIDER 23 When a family has a child with medical issues, they can ask their doctor to make a recomendation for provider 23 (home health aide). The doctor should be making a recommendation with specific hours (which usually depends on the number of hours the parent works, as well as medical issues). This recommendation is submitted to the insurance company whether it be Magellan, HIPP or other MCO. It is up to the MCO to accept or deny the recommendation. A diagnosis of Autism is enough for a child to be eligible for a home health aide.

PRS Psychiatric Rehabilitative Services

PRTF Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (commonly referred to as RTF)

PS Protective Services

PSAA Peer Specialist Alliance of America

PSCOA Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association

PSI Problem Severity Index - An assessment used by JPO, they may change to the INCA.

PSRU Psychological Rehabilitation Unit

PSSA PA System of School Assessment

PT Physical Therapy

PUNS Priority of Urgency of Need for Services - in the MR system - waiver enrollment based on available funding, "emergency need" receives preference, there is a waiting list.

PVAAS Pennsylvania Value Added Assessment System

PYLN Pennsylvania Youth Leadership Network - The PYLN is a team of youth leaders with disabilities from across Pennsylvania with a purpose to develop the self-determination, empowerment, and leadership of youth that promotes successful post school outcomes in the areas of education, employment, independent living, and health and wellness among youth and young adults throughout Pennsylvania.

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RA Risk Assessment

RAD Reactive Attachment Disorder

RAST Regional Assessment and Support Team

RBUC Recieved But Unpaid Claims

RC Regional Coordinator

RC Resource Coordination (with ICM) they see clients every 30 days

RCM Resource Case Management - A case manager that assists in accessing MH treatment programs and community resources. RCM is required to meet face-to-face at a minimun of 1 time per month. MA insurance is required.

RFA Request for Application

RFP Request for Proposal

RHC Rural Health Clinic

RHD Resources for Human Development

RHY Runaway and Homeless Youth Act - this is part of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974

RN Registered Nurse

RTF Residential Treatment Facility

RtL Response to Intervention

RO Rule Out

ROI Release of Information

ROSI Recovery Oriented Systems Indicators

RSVP Retired Senior Volunteer Program

RTF Residential Treatment Facility

 

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SA Salvation Army

SACWIS Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System - the Omnibus Reconcilation Act of 1993 provided states with federal financial support for the development of statewide systems that automates the collection of federally mandated child welfare data and provides support for the delivery and management of child welfare services

SAMHSA Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

SAP Student Assistance Program - they identify, interview and refer students for assistance if they are at risk for suicide, drug and alcohol abuse or mental illness

SAS Supplementary Aids and Services

SASSI Susbstance Abuse Screening Systems, Inc - they have a lab for urine testing, DUI, outpatient counseling

SBBH School-Based Behavioral Health

SBMH School-Based Mental Health

SBS Step-By-Step - Adult CRR

SC Supports Coordinator - a case manager in MR

SCA Single County Authority

SCI State Correctional Institution

 

SCO  Supports Coordination Organization - An Intellectual Disabilities provider agency.

SCSC State Civil Service Commission

SDI Specially Designed Instruction

SEA State Educational Agency

SEAS Support and Education for Asperger's Syndrome

SEAP Special Education Advisory Panel

SECTION 504 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

SED Serious Emotional Disturbance

SEP Supported Employment Program

SHAPE Schools, Hospitals, Abuse Prevention Effort

SHH Sacred Heart Hospital

SHO CAP Serious Habitual Offender Comprehensive Action Plan

SHVN Sacred Heart Visiting Nurses

SI Sensory Integration

SI Suicidal Ideation

SICC State Interagency Coordinating Council

SID Sensory Integration Dysfunction

SIP Summer Intervention Program - a non-therapeutic, 7 week program which provides activities for those at risk for serious mental health condition, substance abuse, criminal delinquency or school truancy.

SIS Support Intensity Scale - a statewide assessment for MR

S/L Speech and Language

SLD Specific Learning Disability

SLH St. Luke's Hosipatal and Health Network

SMH State Mental Hospital

SMI Serious Mental Illness

SMM State Medicaid Manual

SNF Skilled Nursing Facility

SNU Special Needs Unit

SOC Systems of Care Project - a 5 year federal grant (began in 3/08) in PA from the Federal Administration for Children & Families ( the federal counterpart to the state's Office of Children, Youth & Families) designed to change structure and management of county systems of care so that children and families are better able to access necessary services. Families are involved even when their children end up in the child welfare system due to neglect or abuse. It builds on the existing county CASSP infrastructure.

SOS Special Offenders Services - services to persons in the criminal justice system who have MH/MR issues/problems.

SOS Survivors of Suicide. Support for family member or close friends of a suicide victim.

SP Surrogate Parent.

SPARK Supportive Parental Assistance Raising Kids. Offers support to families. 610-559-1004

SPBP Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program - for individuals diagnosed with HIV/AIDS or Schizphrenia. Drugs are provided and atypical antipsychotic drugs for those with low to moderate income

SPORE Special Offenders in Rehabilitation and Education - Identify those persons with serious mental illness and/or mental retardation involved in the criminal justice system. Provides specialized services to them that include advocacy, accountability, and assistance. Leading the person and their family to a greater degree of health, responsibility, proficiency, and quality of life.

SSA Social Security Administration

SSD Services and Supports Directory

SSDI Social Security Disability Income - cash benefits and medicare coverage to people unable to work for a year or more due to a disability

SSI Supplemental Security Income - for persons permanently disabled (at least 12 months). The disability very seriously limits activities, or the condition is expected to last at lease one year or result in death, eligibility is determined by SSA.

SSN Social Security Number

ST Speech Therapy

STAART Studies to Advance Autism Research and Treatment

STL Short-Term Loan

STOP Short Term Options to Prevent Placement - a Lehigh County OCYS grant funded program, the most intensive service for high risk individuals, available 24/7. Masters level workers go in the home as needed and connect with evaluations and services

SUD Substance Use Disorder

SVORI Serious and Violent Offender Re-entry Initiative -a federal grant from the department of justice

SWAN Statewide Adoption Network - can also help older youth with permanency plans other than adoption

SW PBIS School Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports

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TANF Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

TBI Traumatic Brain Injury

TCM Targeted Case Management

TDD Telecommunication Device for the Deaf

TEACCH Treatment and Educaton of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children

TFC Therapeutic Foster Care

TIP Truancy Intervention Program

TLC Transitional Living Center

TLP Transitional Living Program

TMR Trainable Mentally Retarded

TOPS Take Off Pounds Sensibly

TOT Training of Trainers

TPL Third Party Liability - Any individual, entity, (e.g., insurance company) or program (e.g., Medicare) that may be liable for all or part of a Member's health care expenses.

TSM Targeted Service Management

TSS Therapeutic Support Staff

TSSA Therapeutic Staff Support Assistant

TTI Treatment Trends, Inc. - provides a comprehensive continuum of services designed to increase the likelihood of success for the individual engaging the process of recovery from addiction.

TTY Text Telephone Typewriter/Teletypewriter

Tx Treatment

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UB-92 Unified Billing 1992 (form) - used for billing PA MA for inpatient services

UDL Universal Design for Learning

UDS United Disabilities Services

UPIN Unique Physician Identification Number

USC United States Code

USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture - Information regarding food stamp program and rural development.

UTAP Universal Telecommunications Assistance Program

UW United Way

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VAST Valley Association for Specialized Transportation 430 Allentown Dr., Allentown, PA 18109 610-821-1061 or 610-433-7334

Assists in providing transportation for elderly and disabled people. You must register first with LANTA-METRO at 610-432-3200.

VAWA Violence Against Women Act

VI Visual Impairment

VIA Housing supports for individuals with mental retardation: community living arrangements, family or companion living, respite services.

VIP Victim Intervention Program

VM Voicemai

VNA Visiting Nurse Association

VNAC Visiting Nurse Advocate for the County - through St. Luke's visiting nurse

VWH Valley Wide Help A search engine for human services. You can designate what service you are looking for as well as the geographical location.

VYH Valley Youth House

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WAC Work Activities Center - MR program focusing on work to help attain vocational, personal, social, and independent living skills to progress to higher level vocation programs

WAIS-III Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Third Edition

WARM Low Income Usage Reduction Program - Free weatherization and energy education program for residential customer with usage in excess of an average of 600 kWh per month. Household income must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty income guidelines or 200% of the federal poverty where special needs exist. Contact 1-800-207-9276

WDR White Deer Run - available at all times to assist you and your loved ones in obtaining rehabilitation services and guidance for drug addiction and alcoholism.

WIC Women, Infants, and Children program

WIAT Wechsler Individual Achievement Test

WIPA Work Incentives Planning and Assistance

WISC-III Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Third Edition

WJ Witness Justice This is a national nonprofit organization committed to directly serving survivors of violent crime in the U.S. Our goal is to provide trauma victims and their loved ones ...

WRAP Winter Relief Assistance Program. A free weatherization program for income-qualified homeowners and renters that includes a home energy audit, installation of materials and energy conservation education. Visit PPL on the internet.

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YAP Youth Advocate Program. Independent living program: fro individuals ages 16-20, who have been in foster care placement. Assists individuals in acquiring independent living skills.

YDC/YFC Youth Development Center/Youth Forestry Camp system - provides secure residential programs

YFC Youth for Christ. Positive role models, supervised activities, leadership shills development, for high school or middle school students, meets weekly.

YMCA/YWCA Physical fitness and wellness programs, sports opportunities

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