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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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BARJ Balanced Apporach to Restorative Justice
BAS Bureau of Autism ServicesBBA Balanced Budget Act - Federal
BCBA Board Certified Behavioral Analyst
BCM Blended Case Management BCU Benefits CheckUP BDAP Bureau of Drug and Alcohol ProgramsBDAP CIS Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs' Client Information System
BEC Basic Education CircularBFFSP Bureau of Fee for Service Programs - OMAP
BH-MCO Behavioral Health Managed Care Organization - an entity, which manages the purchase and provision of Behavioral Services
BHRS/Provider 50 Behavioral Health Rehabilitation - Short-term intensive in-home, community-based MH Tx. Weekly tx by a Mobile Therapist (MT), Behavioral Specialist Consultant (BSC), and Therapeutic Staff Support (TSS). Available up to age 21, MA insurance is required.
BICS Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills
BIP Behavioral Intervention Plan - Information from FBA used to create a positive behavior plan and supportive environment. Used in Education and with autistic children.
BNDD Bureau of Narcotic Drugs and Devices
BPI Bureau of Program Integrity - under federal mandate in OMAP to help protect the MA program from provider fraud, abuse & waste, and that recipients don't abuse services.
BPPD Bureau of Policy and Program Development
BS Brief Service
BSC Behavior Specialist Consultant
BSE Bureau of Special Education
BSP Behavior Support Program
BSU Base Service Unit - Outpatient clinic. Serves adults 18+ years of age and no longer in high school. Accepts Medical Assistance insurance. BSU 391 - Lehigh Valley Hospital, 17th & Chew St. BSU 392 - Muhlenberg Hospital -Bethlehem
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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
CWEL Child Welfare Education for Leadership
CWLA Child Welfare League of America - the nation's oldest & largest membership based child welfare organiztion committed to engaging people everywhere in promoting the well-being of children, youth & their families and protecting every child from harm
CWTP PA Child Welfare Training Program - through the University of Pittsburgh - training for child welfare workers
CYS Children and Youth Services
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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.
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FA Fiscal Agent
FAAAS Families of Adults Affected by Asperger's Syndrome - This site offers practical advice and resources for a partner or family member of someone with AS.
FACE Fathers and Children's Equality Child custody issues
FACYF Federal Administration for Children, Youth and Families
FAPE Free Appropriate Public Education - guaranteed by
Public Law 94-142, at no expense to parents & family
FASD Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Development
FBMHS Family-Based Mental Health Services
FBA Functional Behavrioal Assessment - school evaluation analyzes function of behavior & manipulates antecedent & consequence factory to effect behavioral change
FBS Family Based Services - intensive 6-8 months in-home MH treatment program; individual and family therapy with 2 therapists - for children and adolescents
FBMHS Family Based Mental Health Services - 8 month in-home treatment program, individual & family therapy to prevent out of home placement
FBVR Facility Based Vocational Rehabilitation
FC Facilitated Communication
FCIA Foster Care Independence Act - to help youth who age out of foster care; education, employment, homeless, dependent on public assistance
FD/FSS Family Driven Family Support Services - in the MR system, the family choooses the services they want to receive
FDA Food and Drug Administration
FERPA Family Education Rights and Privacy Act
FFS Fee-For-Services
- Payment by the Department to Providers on a per-service basis for health care services provided to Medical Assistance recipients.
FFSBS Family Focused Solution Based Service
FFT Functional Family Therapy - a research based prevention & intervention program for at-risk adolescents & their families. It targets youth 11-18. For violence, drug abuse, conduct disorder & family conflict. It can be used as an alternative to detention for first time misdemeanors.
FGDM Family Group Decision Making Lehigh County Office of Children and Youth has a FGDM unit
FIP Family Intervention Program
FL Family Living - MR individual matched with a family to share lives
FS Formal Supports - Services & supports provided by professionals (or other individuals who are "paid to care")
FSP Family Service Plan
FSS Family Support Services - Funding in MR; financial help for respite care, in-home therapy, aides, equipment, family education, recreation, diapers, camp ($600, 900, or 1,900)
FSSR Family Services System Reform
FST Family Satisfaction TeamFTAC Family Training and Advocacy Center for Mental Health
FTS Forensic Treatment Services
FUP Family Unification Program - FUP provides homeless and poorly housed families involved with the child welfare system with decent and affordable housing and supportive services in order to safely reunite them with their children. FUP vouchers are also available to prevent homelessness among former foster youth.
FXS Fragile X Syndrome
FYI Family & Youth Intervention
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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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HAO Hispanic American Organization
HAP Homeless Assistance Program - State funds provided to their counties to address needs of the homeless. This is for young adults leaving the substitute care system.
HALA Hispanic American League of Artists
HC HealthChoices - the name of PA program that provides mandatory managed health care to Medical Assistance recipients
HCBS Home and Community Based Services
HC-L/C Health Choices Lehigh/Capital - Mandatory
MA managed care program for Lehigh County
HCBW Home and Community Based Waiver
HCM Housing Case Management
HCQUs Health Care Quality Units - professionals help county MR programs to monitor & improve health status of individuals
HCSIS Home & Community Services Information System - statewide MR computer system (for ISP, case notes, demographics, incidents, hospitalizations, providers, etc.)
HC Zone Health Choices Zone - County groupings designated by the Deaprtment for participation in the Hehlth Choices-Behavioral Health Program.
HHS U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Administration on Developmental Disabilities, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
HI Hearing Impaired
HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
HIPP Health Insurance Premium Payment Program
HIV/AIDS Human Immuno Deficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
HMO Health Maintenance Organization - a public or private organization organized under state law that is a federally qualified health maintenance organization or meets the State Plan's definition of a health maintenance organization
HO Hearing Officer
HRD Human Resource Development
HRP Health Risk Profile
HRSA Health Resources & Services Administration
HRTW Healthy and Ready To Work - Assessment tools and information for children with special health care needs who are approaching adulthood and require assistance in transitioning into adult health care and secondary education or employment.
HUD Housing & Urban Development - Administration on federal subsidized housing, people with disabilities, etc.
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I&R Information and Referral Unit - in Lehigh County
IACC Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee
IAES Interim Alternative Educational Setting
ICAN Involved Consumers Action Network in PA
ICC Interagency Coordinating Council - an advisory group of parents, professionals to advise the Governor & Departments about Early Intervention issues in PA
ICCD International Center For Clubhouse Development
ICD International Classification of Diseases
ICDL Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental Learning Disorders
ICF Intermediate Care Facility
ICF/MR Intermediate Care Facility for MR - some small homes serve 4 to 8 people, larger facilities serve more individuals
ICI Institute for Community Inclusion - Information on transition planning and preparing for adulthood such as; From Stress to Success
: Making Social Security Work for Your Young Asult; Transition Planning for Adolescents wtih Special Health Care Needs and Disabilities - Information for Parents and Teens, etc
ICM Intensive Case Management - sees clients every 13 days. ICM assists in accessing MH treatment programs & community resources. Offers crisis intervention 24/7. MA is required for this level of care.
ICRR Intensive Community Rehabilitative Residence
ICSI Integrated Children's Service Initiative - MA Realignment. To implement financing changes to support integration of behavioral health services for dependent or delinquent children into the MA program. Coordinated planning between behavioral health, child welfare, and juvenile justice systems.
ICSP Integrated Children's Services Plans
ID Intellectual Disability - formerly referred to as mental retardation.
IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Education ACT - A federal program. Early legislation signed in 1997. It requires public schools to offer all eligible children with disabilities a free, appropriate, public education in the least restrictive environment. Inclusive to the age of 21.
IEAP Independent Enrollment Assistance Program - The program responsible to assist MA recipients in enrolling in the Health Choices Program, including the selection of a Physical Health - Managed Care Organization and Primary Care Practitioner, and obtaining information regarding the Health Choices physical and behavioral health programs.
IEE Independent Educational Evaluation
IEP Individualized Education Program/Plan - age 3 to 21. Funding is through PDE
IESF Individual Emergency Services Form - a form in the MR office
IFSP Individualized Family Service Plan (birth to 3 years of age) It needs to be developed 45 days of referral to EI system and reviewed every 180 days.
IFSP Integrated Family Service Plan
IGDI Individual Growth and Development Indicators
IHP (or IPP) Individual Habilitation Plan
ILP Independent Living Program
ILS Independent Living Services - FCIA requires IL services to youth ages16-21 transitioning out of foster care to independent living; funds for education, training, room & board. Medicaid coverage until 21. State IL Coordinator - 717-772-7012. There is a county IL coordinator & has Chafee plan for these funds, under the office of OCYS.
IL Plan or ILSP Independent Living Plan or Independent Living Service Plan- defines services a person is receiving & helps them to become self sufficient, productive, healthy adults.
IM Incident Management
IM4Q Independent Monitoring for Quality
IMD Institutions for Mental Diseases
IMT Independent Monitoring Teams - in the MR office- a county team visits service providers to see how well providers are doing their job and complying with regulations
IOP Intensive Outpatient treatment
IOTA Intensive Outpatient Treatment for Addictions
IPP Individual Program Plan
IQ Intelligence Quotient
IRETA Institute for Research, Education and Training in Addictions - This resource focuses on integrating research findings into practice. Workshops, distance learning, online pamphlets and handouts.
IRI Informal Reading Inventory
IRSF International Rett Syndrome Foundation - Fact sheets, information and support
IS Itinerant Support
ISO Intermediate Service Organization
ISP Individual Service Plan
ISP Individual Support Plan - in the MR office
ISPT Interagency Service Planning Team - an individualized team established to assist in the development & review of the treatment progress & ISP for every child in an RTF
ISR Information Service Referral
ISSP Instructional Support System of Pennsylvania
IST Instructional Support Team/Teacher
IT Itinerant Teacher
ITM Interagency Team Meeting
IU Intermediate Unit - local education agency
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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
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KCMH Keystone Color Me Healthy - from DPW - a program for kids that is fun, interactive learning about physical activity and healthy eating.
KP KidsPeace
KTEA Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement
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LANTA Lehigh And Northampton Transportation Authority LANTA's Metro system is a network of 35 fixed bus routes throughout the Lehigh Valley , providing daily, later evening, and weekend services. More than 380,000 people live within walking distance of a Metro route.
LC Lehigh County
LCCC Lehigh Carbon Community College
LCD Last Covered Date (referring to health insurance coverage when an individual is in placement)
LCP Lehigh County Prison
LCTI Lehigh Career and Technical Institute
LD Learning Disability
LEA Local Educational Agency
LEP Limited English Proficiency
LICC Local Interagency Coordinating Council- parents & professionals to coordinate & plan for EI services in the community
LIHEAP Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
LIURP Low Income Usage Reduction Program. Provide installed energy saving measures that help to reduce energy consumption and increase energy efficiency. Household income must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty income guidelines. Contact 1-800-UGI-WARM.
LLAS Lehigh Learning and Adjustment School - a partial program in the schools, IU can offer medication monitoring, individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy
LMS Learning Management System
LRE Least Restrictive Environment
LS Learning Support
LSS Live Skills Support
LTC Long-Term Care
LTCC Local Transition Coordinating Council
LTF Local Task Force
LVCFST Lehigh Valley Consumer Family Satisfaction Team
LVH Lehigh Valley Hospital
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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
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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.
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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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QA Quality Assurance
QARI Quality Assurance Reform Initiative
QI Quality Initiative
QM Quality Management - A formal methodology and set of activities designed to assess the quality of services provided and which includes a formal review of care, problem identification, and corrective action to remedy any deficiencies and evaluation of actions taken.
QMB Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries
QMR Quality Monitoring Report
QMRP Qualified MR Professional
QSF Quarterly Status File
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
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 HealthSBMH School-Based Mental HealthSBS 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 CommissionSDI 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 HospitalSHO 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 NetworkSMH 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 programWIAT 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
1:1 One to One, face to face contact/treatment
2176 Waiver Consolidated Waiver