Acronyms
The disability world is full of acronyms and it can be hard to keep them straight. Support for Families has developed this list of acronyms and their meanings to help decode documents, forms, and the written language of disability.
Local Education Agency (school district)
LPA
Local Planning Area
LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse
LRE
Least Restrictive Environment (provision of IDEA)
MCH
Maternal and Child Health
MCO
Managed Care Organization
MCP
Managed Care Plan
MA
Masters of Arts degree
MD
Medical Doctor
MFT
Marriage and Family Therapist
MS
Master’s degree in Science
MSW
Master’s degree in Social Work
MTU
Medical Therapy Unit
NAMI
National Association for the Mentally Ill
NCLB
No Child Left Behind
NICHCY
National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities
NG TUBE
Neo-gastric Tube
NICU
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
NIMH
National Institute of Mental Health
NPS
Non-Public School
NUSD
Novato Unified School District
OCR
Office of Civil Rights (Federal)
OHI
Other Health Impaired
OSEP
Office of Special Education Programs (Federal)
OSERS
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (Federal)
OT
Occupational Therapist
PAI
Protection and Advocacy, Inc. (State program that protect the rights of people with mental health needs and developmental disabilities.
PCP
Primary Care Provider (or Physician)
PDD
Pervasive Developmental Disorder
PHN
Public Health Nurse
POS
Purchase of Services
PPO
Preferred Provider Organization
PT
Physical Therapist
PTI
Parent Training and Information Centers (funded through IDEA)
RSP
Resource Specialist Program
SDC
Special Day Class
SEA
State Education Agency
SED
Severe Emotional Disturbance
SELPA
Special Education Local Planning Area
SFCD
Support for Families of Children with Disabilities (San Francisco’s FRC and PTI)
SLI
Speech and Language Impairment
SSA
Social Security Administration
SSDI
Social Security Disability Insurance
SSI
Supplemental Security Income
SSI-DCP
Supplemental Security Income – Disabled Children’s Program (usually called Children’s SSI)
SST
Student Study Team
TBI
Traumatic Brain Injury
VI
Visually Impaired
WIC
Women, Infants and Children (supplemental food program)
AAP
American Academy of Pediatrics
ABA
American Bar Association
AB3632
Refers to California law related to behavioral assessment and mental health services.
ADA
Americans with Disabilities Act
ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
AMA
American Medical Association
AT
Assistive Technology
CAC
Community Advisory Committee
CCS
California Children Services
CDE
California Department of Education
CHDP
Child Health and Disability Prevention Program
CHIP
Children’s Health Insurance Program
CBHS
Community Behavioral Health Services
CCIC
Child Care Inclusion Challenge Project
CMS
Children’s Medical Services
COBRA
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985
CPS
Child Protective Services
CQI
Continuous Quality Improvement
CSHCN
Children with Special Health Care Needs
CSOC
Children’s System of Care
CCCS
Comprehensive Child Crisis Services
DCYFS
Department of Children, Youth and Family Services (San Francisco)
DD
Developmental Disability
DDS
Department of Developmental Services
DHS
Department of Human Services
DIS
Designated Instruction and Service
DSM-IV
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
ED
Emotionally Disturbed
EI
Early Intervention (usually refers to services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or risk factors.)
EPSDT
Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (Medicaid benefits for children)
ESY
Extended School Year
FAPE
Free, appropriate, public education (refers to special education law)
FPL/FPR
Federal Poverty Level or Federal Poverty Rate
FRC
Family Resource Center
FV
Family Voices
HCFA
Health Care Financing Administration (federal agency responsible for Medicaid, Medicare and CHIP)
HH
Hard of Hearing
HI
Hearing-Impaired
HIPAA
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996
HMG
Help Me Grow
HMO
Health Maintenance Organization
ICC
Interagency Coordinating Committee
ICM
Intensive Care Management
IDEA
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (federal law governing special education)
IEP
Individualized Education Program
IFSP
Individualized Family Service Plan
IHSS
In-Home Supportive Services
LD
Learning Disability