Acronyms Relative to Developmental Disabilities  Compiled by the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council AAMR             American Association on Mental Retardation an interdisciplinary association of professional and concerned individuals in the field of mental retardation AAPD              American Association of People with Disabilities  ABA                Applied Behavior Analysis A professional field that uses principles of leaning to increase performance of socially desireable behaviors.  It always relies upon the collection of objective data to measure performance and the effectiveness of an intervention. ACB                American Coalition for the Blind ACF                 Administration for Children and Families ACLU              American Civil Liberties Union ACY                 Advocates for Children and Youth, Inc. a statewide nonprofit organization that provides education and advocacy around the needs of Maryland's children and their families; identifies effective programs and services that meet these needs, advocates for funds to implement these programs and services; and provides legal representation to children who are having difficulty in school. ACYF              Administration for Children, Youth and Families the federal agency that provides information and assistance to parents; administers national programs for children and youth (including Head Start); works with states and local communities to develop family support services; and seeks joint ventures with the private sector to enhance the lives of children and their families ADA                American with Disabilities Act a  federal law providing comprehensive civil rights protections for individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, sex, national origin and religion.  It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in employment, public accommodations, transportation, state and local government services and telecommunications ADD                Administration on Developmental Disabilities the federal agency responsible for overseeing activities under the Developmental Disabilities  Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 1990.  Located in the Administration on Children and Families in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the ADD serves as focal point in the Department for supporting and encouraging the provision of quality services to persons with developmental disabilities ADHD             Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADI-R              Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised  a tool used for diagnosing autism ALU                 Alternative Living Unit  a home where three or fewer people with disabilities reside APSE              Association for Persons in Supported Employment a national membership organization that promotes the concept of paid integrated employment and full community participation for all individuals. Arc                  known as The Arc a statewide non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to the welfare of children and adults (with mental retardation), family members, educators, professionals, and  the public.  Its activities include program development, technical assistance; information, referral and counseling; prevention activities and systems advocacy. ARD                Admission, Review, Dismissal the part of the IEP process to determine placement in the least restrictive environment and discuss any additional services, supports, and/or modifications needed for IEP implementation ASA                 Autism Society of America National nonprofit organization that promotes lifelong access and opportunities for persons within the autism spectrum. AT                    Assistive Technology Special itmes or equipment used to increase, maintain or improve one's functioning abilities.  The term covers items such as computers, pencil holders, pecialized switches and calculators. AUCD             Association of University Centers on Disabilities BCPS             Baltimore County Public Schools BIP                  Behavior Intervention Plan CAP                Client Assistance Program provides information and intervention services to clients and applicants of DORS   regarding benefits and services available under the Rehabilitation Act CAP                Corrective Action Plan The document setting out the means by which an education agency shall correct its deficiencies as determined by its monitoring agency. CCA                Child Care Administration the state's lead agency for child care located in the Maryland Department of Human Resources. The mission of the office is to  ensure the protection of children in nonresidential out-of-home care.  CCA licenses and regulates all family day care homes and child care centers. CCD                Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities   a national coalition comprised of over 75 consumers, service providers, and professional organizations which advocates on behalf of persons with disabilities and their families CDDC             Consortium for Developmental Disability Councils a national membership organization of state Developmental Disabilities Councils CDF                Children's Defense Fund a national organization that educates about children's needs and encourages preventive investment in children.  It works for improved public policies at the federal, state and local level on behalf of  children.  It also provide information and technical assistance. CEC                Council for Exceptional Children  a national organization including professionals and parents who work to improve the quality of education for exceptional children CHAMPIONS      Children Having a Major Part in Our Neighborhood                                Schools:  Frederick County CIL                  Centers for Independent Living CMS                Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services  the federal agency responsible for Social Security and Medicaid (located in the Department of Health and Human Services) CNS                Central Nervous System The  structure that consists of the brain, the spinal cord and related systems that control all aspects of learning, thinking and movement. COMAR          Code of Maryland Administrative Regulations CSLA              Community Supported Living Arrangements a federal  program developed through the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) which assists individuals with developmental disabilities to live in homes of their choosing, regardless of the nature or severity of their  disability, with people with whom they choose to live, and receive services from the providers of their choice. CSLA is also established in Maryland state law. CTA                Community Transportation Association CTE                Center for Technology and Education DD                   Developmental Disability DDA                Developmental Disabilities Administration the principal state agency providing funding for services to persons with developmental disabilities DDC                Councils on Developmental Disabilities the federally funded state organization authorized in the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 to provide advocacy, policy analysis and planning, and ensure comprehensive services  for persons with developmental disabilities. Also has the responsibility of establishing a Five-Year State Plan which must outline the major unmet needs of persons with developmental disabilities and identify  services to be provided DEED             Department of Economic and Employment                          Development the state agency that attracts new business, encourages expansion and retention of existing facilities, and  provides financial assistance and training.  For persons seeking employment - job match services, training and unemployment insurance are provided.Reorganized as the Department of Business and Economic Development in 1995. DHCD             Department of Housing and Community Development DHHS             Department of Health and Human Services the Cabinet level of the Federal Executive Branch concerned with people and involved with the nation's human concerns (location of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities) DHMH             Department of Health and Mental Hygiene the state agency concerned with the physical, mental and social health of Marylanders.  Contains the Developmental Disabilities Administration, Mental Hygiene Administration, Local and Family Health, Medical Care Policy and Medicare Compliance agencies. DHR                Department of Human Resources the state agency serving Maryland's citizens in economic and social matters.  Includes the Child Care Administration, Social Services Administration, Income Maintenance Administration and Community  Services Administration. DORS             Department of Rehabilitation Services the state agency implementing the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 provides rehabilitation services to eligible persons with disabilities to prepare for and find work (located in the Maryland State Department of  Education) including supported employment. DSM-IV-TR    Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders  The fourth edition of the reference manual published by the American Psychiatric Association, for which the text was revised in 2000. EAC                Education Advocacy Coalition EDGAR          Education Department General Admissions                          Regulations (Federal education regulations) EEEP              Extended Elementary Education Program a state  funded pre-kindergarten education program for four year old children from low-income neighborhoods.  The goal of EEEP is to provide initial learning experiences which will help children develop basic skills necessary for successful school performance. EEOC             Equal Employment Opportunity Commission  EI                     Early Intervention Indivisualized services for infants and toddlers who are at risk for or are showing signs of developmental delay. EPSDT           Early & Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment ESY                 Extended School Year  Special education and related services provided beyond the normal school year, in accordance the the child's IEP and at no cost to the parents. ETA                 Employment and Training Administration Provides specialized employment and  training services for individuals with disabilities.    FAPE              Free and Appropriate Public Education FBA                 Functional Behavioral Assessment   FSS                 Family Support Services FTA                 Federal Transit Administration FPL                 Federal Poverty Level GOID               Governor's Office for Individuals with Disabilities the state agency that identifies and evaluates programs and services for Maryland's citizens with disabilities (located in the Executive Department) HCBS             Home and Community Based Services HCFA              Health Care Financing Administration  now called the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). HUD                Housing and Urban Development the federal agency responsible for programs concerned with housing and community development, fair housing opportunities and improving programs to  help families become homeowners, rental subsidies for lower income families and programs that aid neighborhood revitalization and preservation of urban centers IAEP                Interim Alternative Education Placement ICC                  Interagency Coordinating Council advising body to cabinet secretaries from the departments of Education, Health and Human Services, Agriculture, Defense, and the Interior, and the commissioner of the SSA. It makes recommendations to the federal agencies working to improve opportunities to children with disabilities, including suggestions to eliminate barriers to interagency programs. The FICC serves as the mechanism to facilitate coordination of federal resources to ensure that young children (birth to age 5) with, or at risk for, disabilities and their families get the early intervention and preschool services and supports that they need. ICF/MR           Intermediate Care Facility IDEA               Individuals with Disabilities Education Act  originally P.L. 94-142 Education for all Handicapped Children Act mandating that state and local education agencies provide a free, appropriate public  education and related services to all 'handicapped' children.  Subsequent amendments provide for secondary education and transition services and for funds on research, training and demonstration in transition from school to adult life.  IDEA also includes Part H (Early Intervention Programs for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities) IEP                  Individualized Education Program a written statement for a child with a disability that is developed and implemented in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act IFC                  Individual Family Care IFSP                Individualized Family Service Plan  a written plan describing the infant's current level of development; the family's strengths and needs related to enhancement of the infant's development; goals  for the infant and the other family members; and the specific early intervention services needed to meet the goals. IHP                  Individualized Habilitation Plan a written plan developed by an interdisciplinary team explaining a person's goals and services in accordance with the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 IMAP               Independence Mastery Assessment Program Marylands alternative assessment for students with severe disabilities covering four domains:  communication, decision making, behavior, academics. IRWE              Impairment Related Work Expense  (a Social Security Administration work incentive) services or equipment, needed for a person to work because of a disability, which are paid for by the worker, such as wheelchair transportation, vehicle modifications,             adaptive equipment, attendant care, medications and job coaching ISP                   Individualized Service Plan the document which becomes the basis for services coordination for the consumer.  It is developed by an interdisciplinary team with the input and  approval of the consumer, and focuses upon the broad service areas needed by the consumer.  It is recorded and managed by the services coordinator. ISS                   Individual Support Services IWRP               Individualized Written Rehabilitation Program the primary tool used by the vocational rehabilitation counselor and the prospective supported employee to identify the goal, content, cost, duration and sponsor(s) of substantial services LEA                 Local Education Agency  a political subdivision of the state responsible for providing education to children with disabilities LSS                 Local School Systems LRE                 Least Restrictive Environment  ensurance that, to the maximum extent possible, children with disabilities, including children in public or private institutions or other care facilities, are educated with children who are nondisabled (in accordance with IDEA) with supplementary aids and services. MA                   Medical Assistance MACS             Maryland Association of Community Services for                         Persons with Developmental Disabilities, Inc. a professional association whose membership is comprised of agencies that provide community-based services to individuals with developmental disabilities in Maryland MAPC             Medical Assistance Personal Care Program MCC                Maryland Committee for Children, Inc. a nonprofit organization that works to expand early educational opportunities; increase the availability of child care; help parents find child care; train child care workers; assist employers with work/family policy development; and advocate for policies that benefit children and families.  MCCD             Maryland Center for Community Development            MCIE               Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education, Inc. a nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure that all students with disabilities have maximum opportunities to be educated in their home schools,  to interact with peers without disabilities, and to be provided with a meaningful individualized education and supports that lead to participation in home, school, work and everyday community life MCIL               Maryland Center for Independent Living  a federal grant funded private non-profit agency that provides community education and outreach, advocacy and resource development, and service delivery MDLC             Maryland Disability Law Center the organization designated as the State Protection and Advocacy System for protecting and advocating for the rights of children and adults with disabilities.   MDLC provides legal representation to individuals who have legal problems related to their disabling condition. MDOT             Maryland Department of Transportation MDREA          Maryland Rehabilitation and Employment Association,                          Inc.  a non-profit membership association dedicated to promoting quality employment      opportunities for people who have disabilities MDTAP           Maryland Technology Assistance Program MHLP             Mental Health Law Project  a national public interest group that works to assure appropriate and humane care for mentally disabled children and adults in institutions and to improve the scope and quality of services provided to mentally disabled people.  It undertakes test case litigation, public policy advocacy, and educational  outreach.  (Now known as the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law) MiCASSA       Medicaid Community-Based Attendent Service                          & Supports Act MITP               Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program the state agency that has the overall planning and supervision responsibilities  for Part C (Early Intervention Programs for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities) of the 1986 Amendments to the Education of the Handicapped Act (located in MSDE) MSDE              Maryland State Department of Education State agency responsible for ensuring that all children with disabilities residing in the State are identified, assessed and provided with a free, appropriate public education consistent with state and federal laws MSPAP An assessment given each May to Maryland's 3rd, 5th, and 8th graders to test   their mastery of the basics and how well they can apply that knowledge in  authentic problem-solving situations. The MSPAP measures the performance of  Maryland schools by illustrating:1. How well students solve problems  cooperatively and individually.  2. How well students apply what they  have  learned to real world problems.3. How well students can relate and  use knowledge from different subject areas. MTA                Mass Transit Administration NACDD          National Association of Councils on Developmental                                Disabilities  the new organization that was formed as a result of the merger of NADDC (National Association of Developmental Disabilities) and CDDC (Consortium of  Developmental Disabilities Councils)                      NAPAS           National Assocation of Protection and Advocacy Systems NADDC          National Association of Developmental Disabilities                          Councils a national membership organization of state Developmental Disabilities Councils NARIC            National Rehabilitation Information Center library and information center on disability and rehabilitation (funded by NIDRR) NCIL               National Council on Independent Living NCD               National Council on Disability NCPIE            National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education NDSS             National Down Syndrome Society NDSU             National Disabled Student Union NICHCY         National Information Center for Children & Youth with                          Disabilities  a national organization that provides information service to help parents, educators, caregivers, and advocates to improve the lives of children and youth with disabilities NIDRR            National Institute on Disability & Rehabilitation                          Research a federal agency that provides support for a wide variety of research and related activities that contribute to the rehabilitation, vocational success and integration of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream of society:  sponsors applied, non-medical, community based research for both children  and adults who have emotional disorders, chronic illnesses, mental retardation and/or a range of other disabilities (located in OSERS) NIH                 National Institutes of Health the steward of medical and behavioral research for the Nation. It is an Agency under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH headquarters are located in Bethesda, Maryland, and the surrounding area. NIH funds  scientific studies at universities and research institutions across the Nation and also sponsors public events around the Nation. NOD                National Organization on Disability OCR                Office of Civil Rights (U.S.)  promotes and ensures that people have equal access to and opportunity to participate in and receive services through the prevention and elimination of unlawful discrimination. OCYF              Office for Children, Youth and Families the state agency that examines and evaluates programs, services and plans for children, youth and families;  provides public information and educational  resources; develops and coordinates state policies related to children and youth; and coordinates the state's involvement in child care programs and services (located in the Executive Department) ODEP             Office of Disability Employment Policy ODEP's mission is to provide leadership to increase employment opportunities for  adults and youth with disabilities. ODEP is a federal agency in the Department  of Labor. OSEP              Office of Special Education Programs (U.S.) OSERS           Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services the federal agency responsible for special education programs and services designed to meet the needs and develop the full potential of children with  disabilities.  OSERS provides support for training of teachers and other professional persons and grants for research.   OT                   Occupational Therapy PACER          Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights                         Center PAS                Personal Assitance Services PBS                Positive Behavioral Supports PCA                Personal Care Assistant PIP                  Partners in Policymaking P.L.                  Public Law P.L. 94-142     Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)                          (Formerly known as the Education for All Handicapped                          Children Act, signed into law in 1975)(U.S.) P.L. 99-457    Early childhood special education law (U.S.) Part C             Section of P.L. 99-457  Early Intervention Programs for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities of the 1986 Amendments to the Education of the Handicapped Act.  Used to be referred to as Part H. P&A                 Protection and Advocacy System an independent system to protect and advocate for the rights of persons with developmental disabilities.  The P&A functions include the pursuit of legal,  administrative, and other remedies, provision of information on and referral to programs and services, and investigations of incidents of abuse and neglect (in accordance with the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000); (MDLC is the Maryland P&A) PASS             Plan to Achieve Self- Support (a Social Security Administration work incentive) a way in which a person with a disability or blindness uses or sets aside income or resources to reach a work goal.  For example, a person could set aside money for an education or a training program or to start a business PA                   Personal Assistant PCA                Personal Care Attendent PDD                Pervasive Developmental Disorder  PIE                   Parents of Integrated Education:  Baltimore County PISCES          Parents for integrated School and Community                          Education Services: Montgomery County PNS                Project of National Significance PT                    Physical Therapy  PTI                   Parent Training & Information Center                           Parents Place of Maryland serves as the PTI in this state RAF                 Rolling Access Funds RFP                 Request for Proposals RRTC             Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers  centers that receive federal funding to conduct research and provide professional      training in such diverse areas as sensory disorders, traumatic  brain injury, and the   rehabilitation needs of our aging disabled population (supported by NIDRR) RSA                Rehabilitation Services Administration  the federal agency that provides funding to state rehabilitation programs for people with disabilities to enter competitive employment  SCC               State Coordinating Council for the Residential                          Placement of Handicapped Children  the state agency that oversees the placement of children into nonpublic residential centers (located in GOCYF) SEA                 State Education Agency SECAC           Special Education Citizen's Advisory Committee  a local group comprised of parents, students, comunity participants, educators, and administratiors who work to strengthen partnerships SESAC           Special Education State Advisory Committee SGA                Substantiall Gainful Activity SIB                  Self-Injurious Behavior Behaviors that are harmful to oneself, such as head-banging or scratching or biting oneself. SICC               State Interagency Coordinating Council SLP                 Speech Language Pathologist SRC                State Residential Centers  Public facilities for persons with mental retardation administered by the Developmental Disabilities Administration SRI                  Services Reform Initiative  an activity needs-based family preservation program for children ages 0 - 18 whose goal is to create a model service delivery system and implement that system throughout the State to return children from out of state placements and prevent their placement out of Maryland SSA                 Social Security Administration a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that administers both Social Security and SSI programs SSDI                Social Security Disability Insurance  an insurance program for former workers who have become disabled, and for disabled adult children of workers who are retired, disabled or deceased SSI                   Supplemental Security Income A Social Security Administration program that provides monthly payments to aged, blind and disabled people with limited income and resources (assets) STAART         Studies to Advance Autism Research and Treatment a federal grant awarded to Kennedy Krieger Institute from NIH that will help  researchers and clinicians learn more about the causes of autism as well as ways to deterct the disorder early and treat it. Other STAART centers are Boston University, Moint Sinai School of Medicine NY, University of California Los Angeles, University of Rochester, and University of Washington. TA                    Technical Assistance TASH              TASH: Equity, Opportunity and Inclusion for People with                          Disabilities  a national membership organization consisting of people with disabilities, families, professionals and community members.  TASH is dedicated to people  perceived as having severe intellectual disabilities and seeks to build an inclusive society that values all people. TWWIIA          Ticket to Work and Workforce Investment Improvement Act a federal program that allows states to ecpand Medicaid health care coverage so that people with disabilities who work can "buy-in" to health insurance.  It  enables people with disabilities to go to work (or to work more hours) without risking the loss of necessary health care services available through the Medicaid program. UAP                 University Affiliated Program                          (renamed University Centers for Excellence in Developmental                          Disabilities Education, Research, and Service) a program, operated by a public or nonprofit private entity, including parents of persons with developmental disabilities, professionals, paraprofessionals,  students and volunteers, which is associated with, or is an integral part of, a college or university and which provides for interdisciplinary training,  demonstration of exemplary services, technical assistance and dissemination of findings (in accordance with the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 1990).  The Kennedy Krieger Institute is the Maryland UAP  UCD                University Center on Disability and Developmental                          Education and Research UCEDD          University Center for Excellence in Developmental                          Disabilities USDE             United States Department of Education WIA                 Workforce Investment Act  Ensures that employees with disabilities have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to that of other employees.  This also applies to  members of the public seeking information or services from a Federal department or agency. WINS               Working for Integrated Neighborhood Schools:                           Harford and Howard Counties WLI                  Waiting List Initiative   Maryland provider agencies (This is not an exhaustive list) ALI                   Alternative Living, Inc. BARC             The Baltimore Arc CSAAC           Community Services for Autistic Adults and Children EAM                Epilepsy Association of Maryland HCARC          The Arc of Howard County LINC                Learning Independence Through Computers, Inc. PGARC          The Arc of Prince George's County SEEC              Supported Employment Enterprise Corporation SMARC          The Arc of Southern Maryland UCP                United Cerebral Palsy BRN                Benefits Resource Network                          The Arc of Anne Arundel County                          The Arc of Carroll County                          The Arc of Frederick County                          The Arc of Northern Chesapeake Region                          The Arc of Montgomery County                          The Arc of Talbot County                          The Arc of Washington County                          The Arc of Worcester County