Laws/Definitions

Chapter 15 Children
These are children who may need special accommodations in school, but not formal special education. These include children with: persitant asthma; seizure disorders; diabetes; mental illnesses; or other health impairments that affects activities of daily living.
CPS
Child Protective Service- all abuse categories (physical, sexual, emotional, neglect. Protective services will respond immediately or within 24 hours.
DHR
Department of Human Resources - goverment organization that provides oversite to many social service programs.
DSS
Department of Social Services - local departments that provide social services to needy families.
EPSDT
Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment - Works in conjunction with Medicaid to screen for conditions that interfere with normal childhood development and learning- 1-800-543-7633.
EUSP
Electric Universal Service Program - provides assistance with electric bills to low-income families.
FIB
Family Investment Bureau - administrative unit within Department of Social Services responsible for programs that provide families and individuals with temporary and emergency financial assistance
GPS
General Protective Service- involves neglect, lack of supervision, lack of daily basic needs. Protective service will respond in one to six days.
ICM-Intensive Case Management
Intensive Case Management services provide direct services to children ages 3 through 18 years who display serious emotional disturbances. ICM works to ensure that children and their families utilize natural supports, as well as traditional and non-traditional community resources to develop appropriate relationships with family and caregivers
IDEA
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act - passed Congress in 1975 to ensure all children with disabilities in the U.S. receive free and appropriate public education (FAPE)
IEP
Individualized Education Plan - for 3-21 year olds- more Education Focused
IFSP
Individual Family Service Plan - written plan for children 0-3 years old with developmental delays and the services they will receive- Family Focused
ITP (Individualized Transition Plan)
This written plan start when a special needs child turns 16 years old. The IEP team meets with the student to discuss and plan for future goals including: post-secondary education, vocational training, independent employment, adult services, independent living, and community participation.
LIHEAP
Low-Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program - federal program that helps pay the winter heating bills or summer cooling bills of low-income and elderly people.
MCHIP
Maryland Child Health Insurance Program - Insurance program for children under the age of 18 and low-income pregnant women.
MCO
Managed Care Organization - organizations people enroll in to manage medical care. Providers submit bills to the MCO, which will make the initial determination on whether or not to pay the bill.
MEAP
Maryland Energy Assistance Program - Provides heating assistance grants to fuel suppliers and utility companies on behalf of eligible applicants.
MHIP
Maryland Health Insurance Program - state administered health insurance program for residents who do not have access to health insurance
Mobile Therapist
A person who provides psychological, behavioral, and family therapy to children in their own home
OHEP
Office of Home Energy Programs - The main office that provides assistance in paying heating and electric bills.
PAC
Primary Adult Care - offers health services to people 19 and over who make limited amounts of money each year
PCP
Primary Care Physician - physician employed by or contracted to a managed care organization that coordinates all the members medical care.
Public Housing
Federally funded, government-run housing. Must apply at Dept. of Public Housing
RAP
Rental Assistance Program - state-funded program for assisting very low-income families to afford housing in the private market
SCOH Services
Services to Children in their own Homes - a SCOH worker works individually with a special needs child (mental health needs or medically challenged) in their home and school- through DHS
Section 504 Accommodations
Similar to Chapter 15 - is a part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It is not a special education program. Any student with a disability that interferes with a major life activity is qualified for educational services and accommodations. Student does not get an IEP. Conditions include: ADHD; Dyslexia: Severe Asthma; and others.
Section 8
Federally funded vouchers used to subsidize rent in privately owned apartments
SSDI
Social Security Disability Insurance - benefits are paid to people who are unable to work for a year or more because of their disability
SSI
Supplemental Security Income - A federal program that makes monthly payments to disabled children/adults who have limited income and resources. 1-800-772-1213.
Subsidized Housing
Federally funded, privately owned developments; must apply to each development individually
TANF
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is the monthly cash assistance program for poor families with children under age 18.
TCA
Temporary Cash Assitance - time limited cash assistance program designed to promote self-sufficiency.
TDAP
Temporary Disability Assistance Program - state-funded cash assistance program the provides services to disabled adults.
TSS
Therapeutic staff support services - part of WRAP around service-one-on-one support
USPP
Utility Service Protection Program - reduces and evens out monthly utility payments by subtracting the amount of the benefit from a customer’s yearly bill and dividing the remainder by twelve months. Those who keep on payment plans are eligible for credits from some utilities
WAP
Weatherization Assistance Program - Helps eligible low-income households through the installation of energy conservation materials in their dwelling units
WIC
Women, Infants, and Children - supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children under 5.
WRAP Around Services
Multidisciplinary behavioral and therapeutic supports for children ages 0-21 that places supports in the child's community, school, and home.