Laws & Definitions

Below are helpful definitions for terms, laws, and acronyms families may encounter when seeking services. This list is not all-inclusive but is meant as a guide. Click the links provided for additional information.

Benefits

Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis & Treatment (EPSDT): A Medicaid benefit providing preventive health care services for children under age 21. EPSDT is designed to ensure children’s access to early and comprehensive preventive care and treatment. The state Medicaid agency is required to pay for and make sure that health care providers deliver EPSDT services.
Medicaid.gov/Medicaid/Benefits/Early-and-Periodic-Screening-Diagnostic-and-Treatment

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Helps those at or below 130% of the federal poverty guidelines access healthy food. Participants receive an Ohio Direction Card (also known as Ohio EBT card) to use at grocery stores like a debit card. SNAP funds may be used to purchase fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, seafood, non-alcoholic beverages, canned foods, and other cold grocery items at major retailers or online.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI): A federal program funded through taxes. They provide monthly cash payments for the elderly or disabled to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. Apply through the Social Security Adminisration.
SSA.gov/Apply/SSI

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): A federally funded, state-run program. The program provides employment help and temporary cash assistance to help pay for food, housing, home energy, or childcare. Families must meet income and eligibility requirements. In Ohio, these benefits are administered through the Ohio Works First (OWF) program.
CAP4Kids.org/Columbus/Benefits

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Free program for income-eligible pregnant and breastfeeding women, women who recently had a baby, infants, and children up to 5 years of age regardless of citizenship status. Provides nutrition education, breastfeeding education and support, formula, and food vouchers. They provide a WIC Nutrition (EBT) Card to use at grocery stores.
CAP4Kids.org/Columbus/WIC

Glossary of Social Security Terms | Social Security Administration: SSA.gov/Agency/Glossary

Child Development & Education

Developmental Delay: A condition that negatively affects a person’s physical or mental abilities, including learning, language skills, and behavior. The condition must start before age 22 and limit a person’s ability to learn, live independently, use and understand language, earn a living, or be in charge of their own actions and care.
A delay in one or more areas of a child’s development, such as communication, social, emotional or physical development.

Intellectual Disability/Intellectual Disability Disorder: A disability that limits a person’s mental capacity (learning, problem solving, reasoning) and adaptive behavior (language, social skills, daily activities). An intellectual disability starts before age 18.

Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP): A written plan for children 0-3 years old with developmental delays. The plan states the family’s desired outcomes for their child and lists the early intervention services and supports they will receive. The plan describes when, where, and how services will be delivered. The IFSP is developed by a team including the family, educators, and caregivers, and specialists who offer supports identified in the plan.
HeadStart.gov/Publication/Individualized-Family-Service-Plans-IFSPS-Tips

Individualized Education Plan (IEP): A formal plan that details the special education instruction, supports, and services that a student with a disability needs to make progress in school. An IEP can be used for kids as young as 3 years old up through 12th grade. An IEP is intended to help children reach educational goals and must be tailored to the individual student’s needs. Students go through a school evaluation process with teachers.

504 Plan: A tailored plan that removes barriers to learning for a student with a disability. Often includes tools, services, and changes called accommodations.
CAP4Kids IEP vs 504 Plan Fact Sheet
The Difference Between IEPs and 504 Plans from Understood

Individualized Transition Plan (ITP): A legally required, written plan included within a student’s IEP to support the transition from school to adulthood. This plan starts when a child with special needs 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.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): A law that ensures all children with disabilities receive free and appropriate public education, since 1975.
ED.gov/Laws-and-Policy/Individuals-Disabilities/Individuals-Disabilities-Education-Act-IDEA

College Glossary Terms | Gaddis Foundation: Gaddis4Kids.org/College-Glossary-Terms

Learning Disability & ADHD Glossary | Understood: Understood.org/En/Glossary

Housing

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): The federal agency responsible for national housing policy and community development. HUD provides rental assistance programs for low-income families, such as Section 8. They also enforce the Fair Housing Act, administer grants for urban development, and provide homeownership support.
CAP4Kids.org/Columbus/HUD

Public Housing: Federally funded rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly and persons with disabilities. Tenants pay a subsidized rent based on percentage of income. Participants must apply through their local public housing agency (PHA).

Public Housing Agency (PHA): Local or state agency that administers federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rental assistance programs.

Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher: HUD’s main rental assistance program for low-income families, the elderly, or disabled. Voucher holders pay roughly 30% of their income towards rent with the PHA paying the remaining balance directly to the landlord. Participants must apply through their local PHA.

HUD User Glossary | HUD: HUDUser.gov/Archives/Portal/Glossary/Glossary_a.html

Legal Terms

Lindsay’s Law: An Ohio law meant to prevent sudden cardiac arrest in youth athletes age 19 years or younger. Students who have shown specific risk factors or who have fainted during or after athletic activity are required to get written clearance from an authorized health care provider before returning to physical activity.
ODH.Ohio.gov/Know-Our-Programs/Lindsays-Law/Resources/Lindsays-Law-FAQs

Glossary of Legal Terms | Franklin County Municipal Court: FranklinCountyMuniCourt.org/Self-Help-Center/Court-Basics

Medical Terms & Disabilities

Accessibility Alphabet | Ohio Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities: OOD.Ohio.gov/Information-for-Employers/Employer-Resources/Accessibility-A-to-Z

Alphabet Soup: Disability Related Acronyms | Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council: DDC.Ohio.gov/Resources-and-Publications/Clear-Language/Alphabet-Soup

Autism Glossary | Reframing Autism: ReframingAutism.org.au/Service/Glossary-Terms

Child Health & Data Terms | Data Resource Center for Child & Adolescent Health: ChildHealthData.org/About-Us/Glossary

Medical Dictionary of Health Terms | Harvard Medical School: Health.Harvard.edu/A-Through-C

Private Health Insurance Glossary | Health Policy Institute of Ohio: Health-Policy-Ohio.B-CDN.net/Files/Publications/PrivateInsuranceBasicsGlossary10.07.2026.PDF

Words to Know (Special Health Care Needs Glossary) | Children’s Health Network: KidsHealth.org/ChildrensHealthNetwork/En/Parents/Special-Needs-Glossary.html#d

Vaccine Dictionary | Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia: CHOP.edu/Parents-Pack/Vaccine-Dictionary

Parent Resources