FAPE = Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) = A requirement of IDEA; all disabled children must receive special education services and related services at no cost. [LD Online]
FASD = Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) = An umbrella term used to describe the range of effects that can occur to an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications. The term FASD is not intended for use as a clinical diagnosis. [IDC]
FBA = Functional Behavioral Assessment – A problem-solving process for addressing student problem behavior that uses techniques to identify what triggers a given behavior(s) and to select interventions that directly address them. [LD Online]
FEHBP = Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan. [Snelling Center]
FERPA = Family Educational Right to Privacy Act (FERPA) = A federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. [LD Online]
FFY = Federal fiscal year (=October 1 through September 30.) See FY, below.
FICA = Federal Insurance Contributions Act [Snelling Center]
FQHC = Federally Qualified Health Center [Snelling Center]
FSD = Family Services Division – A division of the Department for Children and Families. In partnership with families and communities, we promote safety, permanency, well-being, and law abidance for children. Every year, [they] work with thousands of Vermont families who are struggling and need our help in order to keep their children safe from abuse. [They] also work with youth on probation. [SOV]
FTE = full time equivalent (i.e., the equivalent of one full-time employee)
FY = Fiscal Year; DVR follows the State and Federal fiscal year of October 1 through September 30.
GAF = Global Assessment of Functioning. See ABL, above. [ARCDallas]
GAO = Government Accounting Office [Snelling Center]
GCEPD = Governor’s Commission for the Employment of People with Disabilities – [The GCEPD] is Vermont’s legally designated leadership and coordination group on issues related to employment of people with disabilities, and has a direct advisory relationship with the Governor…. The GCEPD was established in 1963 when the Vermont legislature passed a law to create a permanent committee to promote the employment of people with disabilities. [The GCEPD offers]outreach, awareness, support and resources to employers and job seekers on the employment and accommodation of people of all abilities. [SOV]
GED = General Equivalency Diploma. A high school equivalency diploma which is obtained by passing the GED Equivalency Test that measures the application of skills and knowledge generally associated with four years of traditional high school instruction. [TRC]
GMSA = Green Mountain Self Advocates [Snelling Center]
GNP = gross national product [Snelling Center]
GOVnet = “A network serving government in Vermont.” GOVnet is the name given to the network infrastructure which serves government offices in Montpelier and Waterbury as well as district offices in twelve cities and towns statewide. The physical backbone consists of fiber optic cable connecting state buildings on the Montpelier and Waterbury campuses as well as high-bandwidth digital circuits connecting district offices statewide…. [SOV]
GP = general practitioner [Snelling Center]
HAP = Home Access Program [VCDR]
HCFA = Health Care Financing Administration (now CMS – Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) The Federal agency with primary authority for the Federal regulation, approval, and oversight of Medicaid Waiver services. [DAIL]
HCHS = Howard Center for Human Services [Snelling Center]
HCS/HCBS = Home and Community-Based Services: A waiver of many names. Also known as a Medicaid Waiver. Some specific waivers are the 191-C, the Katy Beckett and CLASS. Offers services and/or financial assistance to people with disabilities and their families. HCS is a Medicaid waiver program designed to build support services based on an individual’s needs. Services may be provided in the family home or within an alternative living residence. An individual must be eligible for Medicaid and have a diagnosis of mental retardation. Habilitative and support services include:
- Respite care
- Supervised residential services
- Supported home living
- Nursing services
- Occupational, speech, and physical therapy
- Psychological services
- Foster and companion care services
- Case management [ARCDallas]HCRS = Health Care and Rehabilitation Services of Southeastern Vermont [Snelling Center]HCS = Howard Community Services (DS Program of HCHS) [Snelling Center]HHS = U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesHIPAA (sometimes pronounced “HIP-uh”) = Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act [Snelling Center]HIV/AIDS = Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV/AIDS) = A retrovirus that consists of Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) and contains a special viral enzyme called Reverse Transcriptase, which allows the virus to convert its RNA to DNA and then integrate and take over a cell’s genetic material. Once the genetic material has been taken over, the new HIV-infected cell begins to produce new HIV retroviruses. HIV replicates in and kills the helper T cells, which are the body’s main defense against illness. AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is caused when the infection advances. Advancement occurs when the viral load is below 200/ml and is characterized by the appearance of opportunistic infections, which take advantage of a weakened immune system. [IDC]
HMO = Health Maintenance Organization – An HMO is the most common form of managed care. All health services are delivered and paid for through one organization, often under one roof. An HMO requires its participants to use only certain health providers and hospitals, usually those within its own network. See also IPA, PHO, POS, and PPO. [findCounseling.com]
HoH = Hard of Hearing – Used to describe a degree of hearing loss ranging from mild to profound for which a person usually receives some benefit from amplification. Most people who are hard of hearing are oralists (communicate by using their voice) although a small number learn sign language. A person who is considered hard of hearing usually participates in society by using their residual hearing with hearing aids, speech reading, and assistive devices to facilitate communication. [IDC]
HUD = Housing and Urban Development Agency: Offers low income housing. [ARCDallas]
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