Family Focus Glossary

#

Subject

Definition

1

Adoption

Adoption is a service provided for children who cannot be reared by their birth parents and who need and can benefit from new and permanent family ties established through legal adoption.

2

Adult Education

Programs that offer adult education encompassing everything from basic skills/GED training to community and continuing education to workforce training.

3

After School Programs

The provision of recreational and rehabilitative activities for school-aged children during the summer months when the schools are not in operation, or immediately before or after the school day when schools are in operation. {Health PLC}

4

AIDS HIV

Programs that provide resources and services for people who are HIV positive.

5

Assistive Technology Devices and Services

Programs that provide a variety of devices that can help people function and live independently.   {NC Caregiver’s Handbook}

6

Autism

Program that offer support and direct services for families of individuals with autism.

7

Car Seats

Programs that loan out child safety seats

8

Case Management

Programs that provides professional assistance for families in accessing, arranging and coordinating a package of services needed.   Assesses, plans, implements, coordinates, monitors and evaluates the options and services required to meet an individual’s needs. {NC Caregiver’s Handbook}

9

Child Abuse and Neglect

Program that provides prevention, intervention, and treatment services to physically and sexually abused children and their families.

10

Child Care

The provision of regularly scheduled protection, care and developmental experiences to children birth to 18 years, for a portion of the day for more than 4 but less than 24 hours, in the child’s own home, in the home of a caregiver, or in a child care facility. {Health PLC}

11

Child Care Subsidy

Programs that underwrite the costs of child care in public and private child care centers or private family child care homes for low-income families in situations where the parent(s) are working, in school or in a training program. {Based on the AIRS Taxonomy}

12

Child Service Coordination

A program offered by North Carolina which is a free service for families of eligible children with or at risk for special needs, ages birth to five, that assists them with identifying, using, and coordinating services they need. {Health PLC}

13

Child Support

Programs that provide resource   and support for parents dealing with child   support issues.

14

Clothing

Programs that pay for or provide new or secondhand clothing for people who cannot afford to purchase these items at retail prices. {Based on the AIRS Taxonomy}

15

Community Planning

A unified body of individuals actively work to improve the health and quality of life of all their residents.

16

Conduct Problems

Programs that target children exhibiting behavioral problems. {Communities That Care}

17

Counseling

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

18

Cultural Programs

Program that provide cultural and sports programs for children and their families.

19

Death and Dying

Programs that assist terminally ill patients and their families in the home.

20

Dental Care

Programs that offer screening and/or in-depth diagnostic procures that establish the presence of a targeted disease, condition or disorder and/or which provide a logical foundation for ongoing treatment. {Based on the AIRS Taxonomy}

21

Developmental Disabilities

Programs that assist children whose growth or skill development is slower than that of most other children of the same age.   {Health PLC}

22

Domestic Violence

Programs that provide services to assist individual or families experiencing problems and living in a home with domestic violence.

23

Early Childhood Education

Programs that promote success in school by preparing pre-schoolers   (ages two to five) and their families for the critical transition into elementary school. {Communities That Care}

24

Early Identification and Screening

Programs that provide activities to find individuals who are in need of special services, such as health care, rehabilitative care, vision or hearing aids or services, etc.

25

Emergency Funds

Programs that provide immediate cash or loans for people in emergency situations who have insufficient resources to meet their needs, that provide checks or vouchers to pay delinquent bills for essential services which would otherwise be terminated or that offer special services which support people's ability to make essential payments.

26

Emergency Services

Programs that furnish survival level resources including food, housing, material goods, transportation and temporary financial assistance for low and fixed-income, indigent, elderly or disabled people who are otherwise unable to adequately provide for themselves and their families.

27

Employment Preparation

Programs that provide assistance for people who need information, advice and guidance and/or training to specific job-related skills in order to make appropriate occupational choices and to secure and retain positions that effectively utilize their abilities. {Based on the AIRS Taxonomy}

28

Faith-Based Program

Community of faith programs that provide services to children and families.

29

Family Counseling

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

30

Family Support

Programs that provide parent education, provision of information, individual and peer group activities, and sibling training and support activities. {Health PLC}

31

Financial Assistance for Housing Payment

Programs that pay current housing bills or finance new living accommodations for people who cannot afford to make the payments themselves and who qualify for this service on the basis of income or need. {Based on the AIRS Taxonomy}

32

Financial Assistance for Medical Expense

Programs that handle the medical expenses of people who cannot afford to make the payments themselves and who qualify for this service on the basis of income or need. {Based on the AIRS Taxonomy}

33

Financial Assistance for Prescription Expense

Programs that purchase necessary prescription drugs for people who cannot afford to pay for the drugs themselves, who would be in an emergency situation without assistance and who qualify on the basis of income or need.   Also included are programs that reimburse individuals for their prescriptions expenses, usually on an annual basis, and organizations other than pharmacies through which eligible people can obtain prescriptions at reduced rates. {Based on the AIRS Taxonomy}

34

Financial Assistance for Utility Bill Payment

Programs that provide gas, electricity, water and telephone services including the hook-up of services and the installation, maintenance and repair of necessary equipment. {Based on the AIRS Taxonomy}

35

Food

Programs that seek to meet the basic nutritional needs of a community by providing improved access to free or low-cost food products.   Include food banks, emergency food, vouchers, food pantries. {Based on the AIRS Taxonomy}

36

Foster Care

Temporary care for children by families who are licensed by the Division of Child and Family Services or other private agency.

37

Grandparents Support

Programs that provide services such as support groups, formal case management, advocacy, information and referral, and linkage with support to other providers and community agencies that work with grandparents.

38

Grief and Loss

Programs that provide professional care and support for grieving individuals in an effort to enhance coping skills, emotional healing and positive growth.

39

Health Care Services

Programs whose primary purpose is to help people in the community achieve and maintain physical well-being through the study, prevention, screening, evaluation and treatment of people who have illnesses, injuries or disabilities; and the provision of family planning, maternity and other services that relate to human production.   {Based on the AIRS Taxonomy}

40

Health Insurance

Health insurance program for children who qualify on the basis of income or need.

41

Hearing Services

Services related to a person’s ability to hear. Such services provided by an audiologist may include a hearing evaluation as well as special equipment (hearing aid, etc.). {Health PLC}

42

Hispanic & Latino Services

Programs that provide services to Cumberland County’s Spanish-speaking families.

43

Holiday Assistance

Programs that provide holiday assistance to people who qualify for this service on the basis of income or need.

44

Home Health Services

Programs that provide skilled health care prescribed by a physician. Various levels of care may include:   skilled nurse, certified nurses aide, licensed practical nurse, various types of therapists, medical social worker and nutrition care. {NC Caregiver’s Handbook}

45

Home Rehabilitation/Repair

Programs that provide assistance for people who need to make essential repairs to their homes in order to eliminate health or safety hazards. {Based on the AIRS Taxonomy}

46

Home Visiting

Programs that provide in-home support and education.

47

Homeless Resource

Programs that provide services or resource supports to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

48

Homeowner/Home Purchase Program

Programs that provide assistance for people who want to rent or purchase housing including information and advice about buying and rental cost; how to select affordable housing that meets individual needs; and how to provide for insurance, maintenance and other requirements related to acquiring and paying for housing. {Based on the AIRS Taxonomy}

49

Hospice Care

Programs that offers a range of medical, social and psychological services for persons who are terminally ill.   Hospice patients may be served at home, in a hospital or at a facility, such as a nursing home.   Often an interdisciplinary team including a nurse, social worker, physician, chaplain and volunteers provide patient/family comfort in the last phases of an incurable disease and bereavement following death ..   {NC Caregiver’s Handbook}

50

Immunization

Programs that provide counseling about and provision of vaccines to protect children and adults from preventable diseases. {Health PLC}

51

Independent Living Skills

Programs that provide support systems and training which can help people to acquire the necessary skills.

52

Information Resource and Referral

Programs that provide access to comprehensive high-quality human service information to assist families to obtain appropriate services to meet their needs.

53

Interpreter Services

Programs that provide interpreter services.

54

Job Training

Programs that prepare people for specific types of employment opportunities by providing instruction or experience in utilizing the skills required for the performance of specific job-related tasks and the assumption of specific job-related responsibilities. {Based on the AIRS Taxonomy}

55

Legal Services

Programs that provide assistance services in the form of advocacy, arbitration, certificates/forms assistance, class action litigation, legal counseling, legal representation, mediation, paralegal counseling, self-representation assistance and/or court watching focus on a particular area of law. {Based on the AIRS Taxonomy}

56

Lending Library

Programs that offer books, developmentally appropriate toys and materials for check out to families and child care providers of young children at no cost.

57

Life Skills Training

Programs that enhance the development of basic life skills, personal competence, and skills relevant to dealing with situations. {Communities That Care}

58

Literacy

Programs that provide services that are of sufficient intensity in terms of hours, and of sufficient duration, to make sustainable changes in a family and that integrate all of the following activities: (A) Interactive literacy activities between parents and their children. (B) Training for parents regarding how to be the primary teacher for their children and full partners in the education of their children. (C) Parent literacy training that leads to economic self-sufficiency. D) An age-appropriate education to prepare children for success in school and life experiences."   {Federal Definition as appears in Head Start Act”

59

Medical Services

Programs whose primary purpose is to help people in the community achieve and maintain physical well-being through the study, prevention, screening, evaluation and treatment of people who have illnesses, injuries or disabilities; and the provision of family planning, maternity and other services that relate to human production.   {Based on the AIRS Taxonomy}

60

Mental Health Services

Programs that provide preventative, diagnostic and treatment services in a variety of community and hospital-based settings to help people to achieve, maintain and enhance a state of emotional well-being, personal empowerment and the skills to cope with everyday demands without excessive stress.   Treatment may include emotional support, introspection and problem-solving assistance utilizing in a variety of modalities and approaches, and medication, as needed, for individuals who range from the severely chronically mentally ill through those who are experiencing difficult life transitions or who are having problems in coping with daily living. {Based on the AIRS Taxonomy}

61

Mentoring

Programs that matches adult mentors with children. {Communities That Care}

62

Military Family Services

Programs that provide support and services to active military personnel and their families.

63

Money Management

Programs that provide advice and counseling to individuals and families on budge/money management.   Also assist people with large debts in developing a plan to overcome their financial problems.   These agencies do not provide money for paying debts.   {NC Caregiver’s Handbook}

64

Multidisciplinary Evaluation & Assessment Service

A type of team approach for providing evaluation and intervention. Professionals from several disciplines (e.g., speech and language pathology, psychology, special education) work independently of each other to evaluate and serve individuals or children and families. After their independent work is completed, these professionals (with the parent whenever possible) share their results to develop a "whole picture" of the individual or family. {Health PLC}

65

Nutrition Services

Services provided by a nutritionist to address an individual’s need for an adequate diet of food and drink that promotes good growth and development and prevention of disease.

{Health PLC}

66

Occupational Therapy Services

Service provided by a certified occupational therapist, who helps individuals including children to: develop fine motor skills, such as writing, using buttons and zippers, and holding small objects with the fingers and hands; develop self-help skills such as eating, dressing, and toileting; and achieve sensory integration (putting the information from all the senses, such as seeing, hearing, and touching, into something that makes sense or is logical based upon what is seen, heard and/or touched).   {Health PLC}

67

Parenting Education

Programs that provide information and skills to help parents be more effective in raising their children. {Communities That Care}

68

Personal Financial Management Counseling

Programs that offer economic literacy training with a planned curriculum to break the cycle of poverty.

69

Physical Therapy Services

Services provided by a licensed physical therapist , who helps individuals to develop or remember gross motor skills, such as walking, running and sitting, and helps individuals improve the use of muscles, joints, bones and nerves. {Health PLC}

70

Prenatal and Infancy

Programs that provide a variety of intervention and activities ranging from maternal/child health care to parent education and child cognitive development. {Communities That Care}

71

Prepared Meals

Programs that seek to meet the basic nutritional needs of a community by providing prepared meals.

72

Psychological Services

Services provided by a qualified psychologist, who helps to identify and work with children who need help in developing thinking, learning, and remembering skills. {Health PLC}

73

Recreational Program

Programs that offer opportunities for children to interact with pro-social adults and peers and learn new skills in a safe, supportive environment. {Communities That Care}

74

Residential Program

Programs that provide a therapeutic living environment in community-based facilities for individuals who have emotional and/or behavioral problems and who require a structured supervised treatment program which may include individual, group, family and other treatment modalities as appropriate. {Based on the AIRS Taxonomy}

75

Resource Center

Programs that provide family education and connections to community resources.

76

Respite Services

Programs which provide short-term relief for the caregiver. {NC Caregiver’s Handbook}

77

School Readiness

Programs that ensure prepare children to be healthy and ready to succeed in school.

78

Shelter - Emergency

Programs that provide a temporary place to stay for newcomers, travelers, people who are in crisis, or homeless individuals in the community.   Includes battered women’s shelter, family crisis shelter, safe houses, crisis nurseries, runaway shelter, and sexual assault shelter. {Based on the AIRS Taxonomy}

79

Shelter - Permanent

Permanent Housing is long-term housing.   Basically, it is community-based housing and supportive services designed to enable homeless persons to live as independently as possible in a permanent setting.   Permanent housing can be provided in one structure or several structures at one site or in multiple structures at scattered sites. {HUD Definition}

80

Shelter - Transitional

Programs that provide extended shelter (longer than two weeks but typically sixty days or more) for homeless people who indicate a willingness to participate in developing and implementing a case plan which has as a goal eventual independent living. {Based on the AIRS Taxonomy}

81

Social Work Services

Services provided by a qualified social worker to a child and family which enable the family to achieve their optimum potential. Such services may include coordination of services needed, advocacy, counseling, information about and referral to needed resources, and intervention. {Health PLC}

82

Socio-Emotional Problems

Programs that target children exhibiting behavioral problems.

83

Special Needs

Program that serve children with developmental delays, or who are at risk of delays in their development. In the school system, a child with disabilities is enrolled in the exceptional children’s program so another term would be an "exceptional child."   {Health PLC}

84

Speech Language Therapy Services

Services provided by a certified speech-language therapist or pathologist who helps individuals to develop communication skills such as improving word sounds (clearer speech), quality of voice (correcting for pitch, nasality, etc.), and being able to express and/or understand verbal communication (talking back and forth). {Health PLC}

85

Substance Abuse Services

Programs whose primary purpose is to help people with substance abuse issue to achieve and maintain physical well-being through the study, prevention, screening, evaluation and treatment.  

86

Support Groups

Programs that offer support group to discuss common problems or issues.

87

Teen Pregnancy & Parenting

Programs that provide ongoing case management, health education, and support services to teen parents.

88

Terminal Illness

Programs that offer support and services to the terminally ill.

89

Transitional Housing

Transitional Housing facilitates the movement of homeless individuals and families to permanent housing within 24 months.   This temporary housing is combined with supportive services to enable homeless individuals and families to live as independently as possible.   Supportive services—which help promote residential stability, increased skill level and/or income, and greater self-determination—may be provided by the organization managing the housing or coordinated by that organization and provided by other public or private agencies.   Transitional housing can be provided in one structure or several structures at one site or in multiple structures at scattered sites. {HUD Definition}

90

Translation Services

Programs that provide translation services.

91

Transportation

Programs that provide for the basic transport needs of the community including the local and long-distance conveyance of people and goods, and special arrangements for elderly and disabled individuals and other community residents who have no personal transportation and are unable to utilize public transportation. {Based on the AIRS Taxonomy}

92

Tutoring

Programs that assist children through a supportive, interactive learning experience.

93

Vision Services

Programs that offer screening procedures that identify people who have targeted eye diseases or vision deficiencies. {Based on the AIRS Taxonomy}

94

Well-Child Health Services

Regular, periodic checks by a qualified health care professional to monitor a child’s development and health status, provide immunizations, etc., with the goal of preventing illness and discovering problems early to decrease the treatment time or severity of the problem.   {Health PLC}