Common Terms and Acronyms

Routine tasks that people do every day such as getting dressed, showering, eating, and toileting. 

Assists persons with disabilities to achieve and maintain employment to support independent living. 

 A written document, sometimes called a living will, to inform health care providers who you have chosen to speak for you in medical and other decisions if you are unable to speak for yourself. 

Helps to understand how behavior is affected by the environment and how learning takes place, primarily in the treatment of maladaptive behavior. Used in planning for development and functional skills and positive behavior. 

Professional who supports planning and strategies for a person in need of behavioral supports. 

Developed after a functional behavior assessment to explain possible causes for behavior and to outline strategies for supporting the person to live a happy and more meaningful life. 

Professional who provides behavior analysis services and creates plan to address problematic behaviors. 

Grants the individual control over funds in a self-direction budget to purchase the supports and services. 

NYS funded company focused on meeting the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, providing comprehensive plans that include health, community, social and other supports. 

A Care Coordination Organization professional who helps people navigate and coordinate intellectual and developmental disability services. 

OPWDD protocol to determine appropriate housing options for a person with intellectual or developmental disabilities. 

A three-part assessment for children 17 or younger required to assess strengths, needs, and interests. CANS helps to develop the care plan and is required for newly eligible children. 

OPWDD system used by agencies and providers to safely share information. 

People who are chosen by the person with IDD to support them in decision-making related to OPWDD services. May include the Care Manager, family, natural supports, and services providers. May be referred to as Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) or Planning Team. 

Identification number assigned to people who receive Medicaid or other benefits. 

Multidisciplinary team responsible for identifying and arranging for services for children with disabilities, age 2-5 years. 

A multidisciplinary team responsible to make recommendations to meet the educational needs of students with disabilities ages 5 - 21. 

An OPWDD program funded by Medicaid providing training for people with disabilities to skills needed to live more independently. 

Funding to assist people moving from a certified setting into the community. Can be used for rent, security deposit and household items and goods. 

An assessment to identify strengths, needs and supports needed for a person with IDD. Required for people 18 and older and for newly eligible persons. 

Crisis prevention and response services for persons IDD who have complex behavioral needs. 

A site based OPWDD program to assist people to gain or improve their self-help, socialization, adaptive, communication and travel skills. 

Day habilitation services in the community, without a specific site-based location. 

A NYS agency that sets state-wide health policy. 

Professionals, parents, and advocates committed to advancing public policy and systems change to help individuals with IDD gain more control over their lives. 

An assessment used to provide a description of a person’s abilities and challenges as they relate to their service needs. It is reviewed every 2 years, or more, if there are significant changes in needs or ability. 

OPWDD regional offices responsible for determining eligibility, coordinating programs and support. There are five NYS DDRO regions. 

A group of conditions characterized by an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior that begins during the developmental period, may impact day-to-day functioning, and typically last throughout a lifetime. 

A professional whose role is to support people with disabilities to live more independent, productive lives in a one to one setting. 

An adult who has a disability that began before age 22 may be eligible for benefits if their parent is deceased or starts receiving retirement or disability benefits. This is considered a "child's" benefit because it is paid on a parent's Social Security earnings record. 

Home equipment to improve quality of life, such as canes, oxygen equipment and wheelchairs. 

Supports and services for children, birth to 3 years, with developmental delays and disabilities. Includes speech, physical and occupational therapies, and other services. 

A Self-Direction program that allows people to hire, manage and change those employed to support them. 

Physical adaptations to the home, needed to ensure the health, welfare, and safety of a person with disability. May include handrails, ramps, or other physical changes to a living space. 

OPWDD funded services to help families care for their family member with a developmental disability at home. Includes respite, recreation, counseling, transportation, and other services. 

Professional role to assist people with management and payment of a self-direction budget. They provide support with compliance, administrative and HR support. 

First point of contact for individuals, parents and advocates interested in OPWDD eligibility and services. 

An assessment used to identify challenging behaviors and their triggers, so that an appropriate plan can be developed. 

Someone a Judge assigns to help a person who cannot come to court or protect their rights and interests to attend court dates, assist in coordinating services, but have no legal power to manage any other affairs for the person. 

When a parent or caregiver is appointed by a judge to help protect the interests of a person with IDD, 18 years or older, who is not able to make decisions on their own. Can apply to personal, financial, and medical decisions. Parents must petition the court for guardianship. 

A legal proceeding under NYS law for individuals who lack mental capacity to execute advance directives or whose advance directives are not comprehensive. A judicial determination based on clear and convincing evidence that an individual is incapacitated. 

A document appointing an agent to legally make healthcare decisions for you and to ensure you are treated according to your wishes, should you become unable to make decisions. 

Federal legislation requiring healthcare providers to ensure the privacy of patient records and health information. 

Medicaid funded supports and services for people with developmental disabilities to allow them to live at home and remain engaged in the community. 

Self-Direction funded category of services, equipment or supplies to help you achieve goals in activities such as classes, training, health clubs and transportation. 

OPWDD funded services to support rent or mortgage for people who live independently. Individuals are expected to contribute 30% of their income towards rent. 

An education plan developed by parents and school personnel to guide instruction, supports, and services the child needs to progress and thrive in school. 

A formal safety plan. Part of the Staff Action Plan. 

OPWDD funded group homes for adults 21 or older with IDD. Services include adaptive and behavioral skill development, daily living assistance, and community inclusion. 

A neurological-developmental disorder resulting in limitations with reasoning, learning, problem solving and adaptive behavior. 

A group of people chosen by the person who supports them in decision making related to their services. May include the care manager, family, natural supports, and services providers. Also known as the Circle of Support. 

An OPWDD funded group home for adults over 21 with complex health needs. Includes 24/7 care and higher levels of nursing support. 

An annual assessment required to establish and maintain eligibility for HCBS waiver services. 

Professional social work role requiring extensive training and expertise in mental health. 

A written plan that guides services the person with IDD receives, and outlines goals and safeguards. The Life Plan is created annually by the person with IDD and the Circle of Support. 

A federal health insurance program, administered by states, to pay for medical and other expenses for eligible persons. Includes low income adults and children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities. 

NYS agency representing, advocating, and litigating on behalf of individuals with disabilities who live in certified settings. 

An OPWDD letter to notify a person their enrollment into services has been processed. 

An assessment to identify strengths, needs and supports needed for a person with IDD. Required for people 18 and older and for newly eligible persons. 

Through assessments, healthcare professionals evaluate and treat areas of need for strengthening, skill building or adaptive devices to help people maintain maximum levels of independence. OT focuses on the fine and gross motor planning and skills commonly used in everyday tasks. 

NYS agency responsible for coordinating services for persons with developmental disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, Prader Willi syndrome, traumatic brain injury, and other neurological impairments. 

NYS agency that sets standards for the quality of facilities and programs for persons with mental illness or serious emotional disturbances. 

Self-Direction funding category to help pay for certain services or daily living needs such as internet and clothing. 

To qualify for Medicaid and enroll in HCBS waiver funded services, an person under the age of 18 and living in their parents’ home may need to seek a waiver of parental income and resources. 

A program to help identify attainable career paths and plans, that may include shadowing, internships, and volunteering. 

A philosophy that focuses first on the person and their express desires, wishes, needs, and goals. Person center planning seeks to understand, empower, and respect the person with focus on enhancing independence. 

An annual comprehensive assessment to help individuals and families determine areas of strength and need. It can be reviewed and updated whenever there are significant changes in a person’s life. 

An assessment tool where people share what is important to them to better focus services and improve quality of life. 

An annual budget assigned to an individual to pay for self-direction supports and services. 

Therapy focused on improving mobility, function, strength, and balance, and to reduce pain and prevent injury. 

Nursing care for people living in certified settings outlining treatment plans for chronic conditions. Provides guidance to others who work with the person. 

A document authorizing a person you appoint to make your legal and financial decisions. 

Pre-employment or job readiness activities, preparing the person for paid employment or unpaid meaningful activities. Can be site-based or in the community. 

Health information in any form, including physical and electronic records, written or spoken medical, psychiatric, psychological evaluations, date of birth, social security number, lab test results, medical bills, etc. 

A Professional human services role designated to work with people with intellectual disabilities. 

An OPWDD form verifying the person has been provided with certain required documents. 

An OPWDD form required to initially request supports, documenting amount of support and the agencies that agree to provide them. 

Short term care for individuals with IDD to enable a primary caregiver time away from the demands of care giving. Can be in the home or community. 

An OPWDD funded service for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities enabling them to have control in making choices regarding their supports, services, and budget. 

A form to request additional services, increase amount of services, or request a change in providers for a person receiving HCBS waiver services. 

Federal government agency that administers Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits. 

A Federal program providing payments to persons with disability who have contributed to social security for at least 10 years, regardless of current income and assets. Certain beneficiaries may qualify but must meet requirements. 

Provide specialized instruction and or indirect services to preschool students with Individualized Education Programs. They travel to the setting where the child attends during the day. 

A written plan describing actions required to assist the person with ID in achieving goals. Follows the Life Plan. 

State funded program to provide financial assistance for purchasing food. Administered by local departments of social services. 

A federal program that provides financial assistance for those with low income and who are elderly, blind, or disabled who would otherwise have a difficult time paying for food and shelter. 

A New York State certified professional who assists people with IDD who choose Self- Direction services. 

A less restrictive alternative to guardianship to allows people with IDD to make decisions with the support of trusted persons. 

A program that helps people with disabilities find and keep jobs in the community. 

A unique identification number assigned to a person receiving OPWDD services.