AAHSD – Acadiana Area Human Services District
ACA – Affordable Care Act
ACT – American College Testing
ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act
AIDD – Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
APS – Adult Protective Services
BESE – Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
CAHSD – Capital Area Human Services District
CC – Children’s Choice Waiver
CFS – Community and Family Support
CE – Customized Employment

CHIP – Children’s Health Insurance Program
CLHSA – Central Louisiana Humans Services Authority
CMS – Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
COA – Council on Aging
CSHS – Children’s Special Health Services
CSoC – Coordinated System of Care
DCFS – Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services
DD – Developmental Disability/Developmental Delay
DD Act – Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act
DOA – Louisiana Division of Administration
DOE – Louisiana Department of Education
ECE – Early Childhood Education
ED – U.S. Department of Education
EOC – End of Course Test
EPS – Elderly Protective Services
EPSDT – Early and Periodic Screening Diagnostic and Treatment Services
FAPE – Free Appropriate Public Education
FFF – Flexible Family Fund
FHF – Families Helping Families
FOC – Freedom of Choice
FPHSA – Florida Parishes Human Services Authority
FPL – Federal Poverty Level
GACDA – Governor’s Advisory Council on Disability Affairs
GODA – Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs
GOEA – Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs
HAC – House Appropriations Committee
HCBS – Home and Community Based Services
HF – House Floor
HHS – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
HSDA – Human Services Districts and Authorities
I/DD – Intellectual and Developmental Disability
ICF/DD – Intermediate Care Facility for People with Developmental Disabilities
IDEA – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IEP – Individualized Education Plan
IFS – Individual and Family Support
ImCal HSD – Imperial Calcasieu Human Services Authority
JLCB – Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget
JPHSA – Jefferson Parish Human Services Authority
LAA2 – Louisiana Alternate Assessment 2
LaCAN – Louisiana Council’s Advocacy Network
LaTAN – Louisiana Assistive Technology Access Network
LDE – Louisiana Department of Education
LDH – Louisiana Department of Health

LEA – Local Education Authority
LGE – Local Governing Entity
LRE – Least Restrictive Environment
LRS – Louisiana Rehabilitation Services
LSDVI – Louisiana Schools for the Deaf and Visually Impaired
LSEC – Louisiana Special Education Center
LWC – Louisiana Workforce Commission (formerly Louisiana Department of Labor)
MCLTSS – Managed Care for Long-term Services and Supports
ME – Medicaid Expansion
MFP (Education) – Minimum Foundation Program
MFP (Health) – Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Demonstration Grant
MHSD – Metropolitan Human Services District
MI – Mental Illness
NCLB – No Child Left Behind
NDHSA – Northeast Delta Human Services Authority
NF – Nursing Facility
NLHSD – Northwest Louisiana Human Services District 
NOW – New Opportunities Waiver
OAAS – Office of Aging and Adult Services
OBH – Office of Behavioral Health
OCDD – Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities
OCR – U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights
OPH – Office of Public Health
OT – Occupational Therapy/Therapist
P&A – Protection and Advocacy
PCA – Personal Care Attendant
PFL – People First of Louisiana
POC – Plan of Care
PT – Physical Therapy/Therapist
QRS – Quality Rating System
RAC – Regional Advisory Committee
ROW – Residential Options Waiver
RSD – Recovery School District
SAC – State Advisory Committee
SC – Support Coordinator
SCLHSA – South Central Louisiana Human Services Authority
SEAP – Special Education Advisory Panel
SF – Senate Floor
SFC – Senate Finance Committee
SICC – State Interagency Coordinating Council
SIL – Supported Independent Living
SILC – Statewide Independent Living Council
SIS – Supports Intensity Scale
SPASP – State Personal Assistance Services Program
SPOE – Single Point of Entry
SSD – Special School District
SSDI – Social Security Disability Income
SSI – Social Security Income
UCED – University Centers on Excellence in Disabilities
VR – Vocational Rehabilitation

Act – A bill passed by the House and Senate and signed by the governor (or allowed to become law without his/her signature). In Louisiana, laws are called Acts.

Act 378 of 1989 – A law that requires a plan for community and family supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families in Louisiana. The Department of Health carries out the plan.

Action Alert – A message from an organization asking people to take action to influence public policy.

Advocacy – Taking action to support or oppose something. Advocacy means speaking up for something you believe in to help make a change.

Affordable Care Act (ACA) – A federal law meant to make health care more affordable. It made health insurance available to more people to help pay for their health care.

Amendment – A change made to a bill or resolution. An amendment can add, remove, or change the wording of a bill or resolution.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – A law that makes sure people with disabilities are treated fairly. It says they cannot be discriminated against (treated unfairly) at work, in government services, public places, businesses, transportation, or communication services. It became law in 1990.

Appropriation Bill – See General Appropriation Bill.

Assistive Technology – Any item, aid, or technology that helps a person with a disability do things more easily and be more independent.

Bill – A written proposal by a legislator for a new law or a change to an old law. 

Bill Status – Where a bill is in the process of becoming a law.

Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) – Oversees all Louisiana public elementary, middle, and high schools. It also has some responsibilities for non-public schools. BESE makes policies and regulations (rules) that schools follow. It oversees the budget for schools. 

Bureau of Health Services Financing – Also known as the Medicaid Office. A state agency that manages Medicaid funding in Louisiana. It is in the Department of Health and Hospitals.

Capacity Building –helping people, organizations, and communities develop the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to be more effective and successful.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – The federal agency that manages Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Children’s Choice Waiver (CC) – A Medicaid program that supports children with developmental disabilities from birth through age 20 who live at home with their families or with a foster family. At age 21, they may transfer into a waiver for adults. Children who choose to stop going to school may switch to a Supports Waiver between their 18th and 21st birthday. The Children’s Choice Waiver is capped each year. That means there is there is a limit on how much money can be spent on services for each person each year. 

Children’s Special Health Services (CSHS) – Special health care services for children and youth who: 1) have or are at risk for physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional conditions, and 2) need more health care and other services than most kids.

Committee – A group of legislators that reviews bills, studies issues, and makes recommendations to the Senate and/or House. 

Committee Amendment – Changes that a committee makes to a bill or resolution. Most of the committee members must agree on the amendment for it to be sent to the full house (House or Senate). The full house must agree to the amendment for it to become a part of the bill or resolution.

Committee of the Whole – All members of the House of Representatives meet like a committee to consider a bill or other matter. It makes it possible for all members to participate in informal discussions about proposals and ideas. These discussions can lead to recommendations to the legislature. A member other than the Speaker serves as the chairman.

Community and Family Support System Plan (CFS) – A plan required by Act 378 of 1989 to meet the service and support needs of Louisianans with developmental disabilities and their families. Services include but are not limited to the Flexible Family Fund, Individual and Family Support, Families Helping Families Resource Centers, and waiver services. The Department of Health manages the plan. 

Competitive Employment – A regular job in the community where people with and without disabilities work together. People with disabilities are paid the same wage as people without a disability doing the same work

Concur – Agreeing to amendments (changes) to a bill made by the other house. Here is an example: The Senate passes a bill. The House changes the bill before passing it. If the Senate agrees to the changes, it votes to concur, meaning it accepts the changes.

Concurrent Resolution – A written statement made by the House and Senate. It may explain the purpose of a law or policy, change rules, approve lawsuits, request action from Congress or state agencies, or temporarily suspend a law. That means the law is not in effect for a while.

Conference Committee – A committee made up of three House members and three Senate members. A conference committee is formed when a bill passes both the House and Senate, but there are differences between the two bills. The committee meets to agree on one version. The committee then reports back to both houses with the same version of the bill, that is voted on.

Conference Committee Report – A conference committee’s recommendations on how to resolve differences between the House and Senate’s versions of the same bill.

Constitutional Amendment – See Joint Resolution.

Coordinated System of Care (CSoC) – Coordinated services and supports for children and youth with significant behavioral health challenges who:

• Live in an out-of-home placement (live somewhere other than with their families), or
• Are at risk of out-of-home placement.

Corporal Punishment – Physically hurting someone to discipline them for bad behavior. An example is spanking a child. 

Customized Employment – A service within vocational rehabilitation for people with the most significant disabilities. Customized Employment looks at the needs of the employee and the employer to create a job where the person can be successful in competitive employment. The employer works with the employee to change job duties to best fit their abilities and needs.

Deferred – When a bill is scheduled to be discussed by a committee, but the discussion is postponed.

Department of Health (LDH) – A state agency that works to improve the health and well-being of people who live in Louisiana. The LDH makes sure that everyone in Louisiana can get medical care, preventive services, and rehabilitation services. It used to be called the Department of Health and Hospitals. 

Developmental Disability (DD) – Disabilities that a person has before they turn 22 years old. Examples are intellectual disability, autism, cerebral palsy, and other disabilities.

• Developmental disabilities last the person’s whole life.
• Developmental disabilities are disabilities that affect a person’s ability to do activities without support. This includes things like taking care of themselves, talking and understanding others, learning, moving around their home and community, making decisions, and working. 
• People with developmental disabilities need different kinds of services. They   need help coordinating their services.

Developmental Disabilities Act (DD Act) – A federal law that protects the rights of people with developmental disabilities. The DD Act’s goal is to make sure people with developmental disabilities and their families get services and support to:

• Live independently, and 
• Fully participate in their communities. 

It also gives them a voice in shaping policies that affect them. Also known as the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act. 
Developmental Disability Council – An organization that identifies and addresses the needs of people with developmental disabilities and their families. DD Councils advocate for policies and programs that help people with developmental disabilities live independently and participate fully in their communities. There is a DD Council in every state and territory. The DD Act started them. 

Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) – Services for children under age 21 who have Medicaid. EPSDT makes sure children and young adults get regular check-ups, screenings, and treatments they need to stay healthy.

EarlySteps Louisiana’s early intervention system. It provides services to families with infants and toddlers (aged birth to three years) who have:

• Developmental delays, or       
• A medical condition likely to result in a developmental delay.

Employment First –  Making work the first choice for people with disabilities when planning services and support. The goal for everyone is competitive employment. This means a regular job in the community where people with and without disabilities work together. And people with disabilities are paid the same wage as people without a disability doing the same work.

Engrossed Bill – The original bill with committee amendments (changes) included.

Enrolled Bill – The final version of a bill, with all approved changes from both houses, sent to the governor for approval or veto.

Extraordinary Session – A special session that takes place outside of the regular legislative session. The governor can call an extraordinary session. The Senate President and Speaker of the House can call an extraordinary session if most (a majority) of their members ask for it. An extraordinary session can last no more than 30 days. There is no limit on the number of extraordinary sessions that can be held in one year. Also known as a Special Session.

Families Helping Families (FHF) – Regional resource centers created by Act 378 of 1989. They provide people with developmental disabilities and their families:

• Information and referral, 
• Education and training, and 
• Peer support 
  

Federal Poverty Level (FPL) – The minimum amount of income a person or family needs to cover basic needs like food, clothing, and housing. The FPL is used to determine who is eligible for Medicaid, food stamps, and other government programs. Developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The FPL can change each year. Also known as Poverty Guidelines.

Fee for Service – A way to pay for services. Providers are paid for each service they provide.

Fiscal Note – A written estimate of how a bill will affect the state budget or local government budgets. It helps legislators understand the costs, savings, and other funding changes that may result from a bill. A fiscal note must be attached to each bill before committee review unless the committee decides that is not necessary.

Fiscal Year – The 12-month period used for budgeting and financial reporting. The state’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30. The federal fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30.

Flexible Family Fund (FFF) – A program that pays families of children with severe disabilities a monthly stipend (money) to help keep their child at home and in the community. Children must be 18 or younger. Run by the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities.  

Floor Amendment – A change to a bill or resolution that a legislator proposes while the full House or Senate is considering it. Floor amendments are usually proposed during the third reading and final vote on a bill.

Freedom of Choice (FOC) – Allows people to choose their service providers.

General Appropriation Bill – A bill that funds the operating expenses of state government. Lists how much money each part of government gets and where the money comes from.

Grassroots Advocacy – When a group of everyday people come together to push for change or support something they care about.

Healthy Louisiana – A managed care system that provides health care services for people served through Louisiana Medicaid and Louisiana Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) – Supports and services provided in a person’s home and community.

Human Services Districts and Authorities (HSDA) – Local government agencies that provide community programs and services for mental health, developmental disabilities, and addictive disorders. Also known as Local Governing Entities (LGE).

Inclusion – Fully including people with developmental disabilities, with no limits.

Individual Advocacy – Taking action to change things for one person.

Individual and Family Support (IFS) – A program that helps people with developmental disabilities live in their own homes or with their families. IFS provides support that people cannot get somewhere else. Examples are special clothing, some medical and dental services, respite care, equipment, and supplies. Also known as Family Support.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) – A federal law that sets rules for how states and public agencies must provide early intervention, special education, and other services to children with disabilities.

Individualized Education Plan (IEP) – A plan made for a student with a disability that outlines the support and services they need at school to help them learn and succeed.

Intermediate Care Facility for People with Developmental Disabilities (ICF/DD) – An institution or residential facility that provides health or rehabilitation services to people with developmental disabilities. It is a service under the Medicaid program.

Involuntarily Deferred – See Deferred.

Item Veto – When the governor cuts money for a specific thing from an appropriations bill (budget bill) before signing it into law.

Joint Resolution – A proposal to add, change (amend), or remove (repeal) a part of the Louisiana Constitution.

Legislative Bureau – A group of four people that includes a state senator, state representative, the Secretary of the Senate, the Clerk of the House, and the Executive Director of the Legislative Bureau. The Bureau review bills and resolutions to make sure they do not duplicate existing laws or conflict with other legislation. Its recommendations to the legislature may include suggested amendments (changes).

Legislative Visit – A meeting with an elected official.

Lobbying – Taking action that supports or opposes legislation.

Local Governing Entity (LGE) – See Human Services Districts or Authorities.

Louisiana Alternate Assessment 2 (LAA2) – An education test for students with disabilities in Louisiana who may not be able to participate in the regular state assessment. The test has fewer questions, less reading and writing, different scoring, bigger size words, and less things on each page.

Louisiana Behavioral Health Partnership (LBHP) – Serves children and adults who need specialized behavioral health services. Serves people with and without Medicaid. Managed by Magellan Health Services of Louisiana. The partnership includes Magellan, the Office of Behavioral Health, Medicaid, the Office of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Children and Family Services, and the Department of Education.

Louisiana Council’s Advocacy Network (LaCAN) – A statewide grassroots network of individuals, families and advocates. They have worked together since 1988 advocating for policies and services that support inclusion everywhere people live, learn, work, and play. 

Louisiana Special Education Center (LSEC) -. A residential school for students aged 3 to 22 with physical and multiple disabilities.

Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) – A Medicaid program that pays service providers a set fee for each person they serve, no matter how many or what kind of services the person needs.

Medicaid – A health care program for people and families with low incomes.

Medicaid Expansion (ME) – Expanding Medicaid eligibility to more people with lower incomes.

Money follows the Person Rebalancing Demonstration – A federal grant program that helps states transition individuals with disabilities out of institutions and back into the community.

Motion to Reconsider – When a legislator asks the House or Senate to review a previous action.

My Place Louisiana – Louisiana’s Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Demonstration. It helps people move from an institution to a house or apartment in the community.

New Opportunities Waiver (NOW) – A Medicaid waiver for adults age 21 and older that helps them stay in their own homes. An individualized service plan is developed for each person, based on their needs. There are no limits on how much a person’s services can cost. NOW is the only Medicaid waiver that can provide 24-hour, one-to-one supports to people who need it.

Office of Adults and Aging Services (OAAS) – A state agency that oversees long-term care services for seniors and people whose disabilities started when they were adults. Located in the Department of Health.

Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) – A state agency that oversees institutional and community services for people with developmental disabilities. Located in the Department of Health.

Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) – A state agency in the Department of Health. OBH manages and provides services and supports to people with mental illness and addictive disorders.

Office of Public Health (OPH) – A state agency in the Department of Health that protects and promotes the health and wellness of Louisianans. OPH:

• Makes sure uninsured and underserved individuals and families get preventative services (services that help them stay healthy),
• Takes action to prevent disease, 
• Enforces regulations that protect the environment, and 
• Shares important information to help people stay healthy and well.

Olmstead – A Supreme Court decision that says people with disabilities have the right to live and receive support in the most integrated setting possible. Most integrated setting means people with disabilities are a part of the community. They are not separated from people without disabilities. The goal is to make sure that people with disabilities have the chnace to live, work, and participate in everyday community life just like anyone else.

Original Bill -The first version of a proposed law, before any changes (amendments) are made.

People First Language – A respectful way of referring to a person with a disability. Puts the person before the disability. For example, “child with a disability” rather than “disabled child.” 

People First of Louisiana (PFL) – A self-advocacy organization run by people with disabilities.

Plan of Care (POC) – A plan that outlines the supports and services a person will receive. 

Protection and Advocacy Agency (P&A) – An organization that protects the legal and human rights of people with developmental disabilities. 

Public Testimony -. When someone speaks at a public meeting to share their opinions or information

Reconsideration – When a legislator asks for a second vote on a bill or motion. This gives lawmakers a chance to change their vote.

Reengrossed Bill – An engrossed bill with floor amendments included. Floor amendments are changes or additions made to a bill during a legislative session in the House or Senate.

Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) – A committee of stakeholders in each of the human services districts and authorities. A stakeholder is anyone who is affected by or has an interest in developmental disability policy and services. RACs provide advice about policies, procedures, and funding. They provide information and input to the State Advisory Committee.

Regular Session – The period of time each year when the legislature comes together to do its work.  It is when lawmakers write, discuss, and vote on bills. In odd-numbered years, the regular legislative session is limited to no more than 45 legislative days within a 60-day period. In even-numbered years, it can last up to 60 legislative days within 85 days. In odd-numbered years, the   focus is on fiscal issues (budget and other money issues). Sometimes other issues are handled. 

Request for Services Registry – A list of people with developmental disabilities who have requested Medicaid waiver services. It includes people who need services now and people who may need them in the future.

Residential Options Waiver (ROW) – A Medicaid program that provides supports and services to adults with developmental disabilities age 21 and older. Provides services to people at home and in the community. Each person’s budget is based on their support needs. The ROW is a capped waiver. That means there is a limit on how much money can be used for each person’s services.

Resolution – A written statement made by the legislature to:

• Say what they think about an issue. 
• Direct state agencies to take action. 
• Changes the rules of the legislature. 
• Change the state constitution .

See Joint Resolution and Simple Resolution. 

Resource Allocation System – Used to determine what services and funding people with developmental disabilities can receive under the New Opportunities Waiver (NOW), based on their needs. The goal is to meet people’s needs in a fair way while controlling costs.

Restraint – Controlling someone’s movement by doing things like holding them down, tying their hands, or giving them medication.

Seclusion – Putting someone in a room or area where they are alone and cannot leave.

Self-Determination – When people with disabilities have the freedom to make their own choices, control their own lives, and take responsibility for their decisions.

Session – The time when the legislature comes together to do its work. It happens every year during a set period called the regular session.

Sheltered Workshop –  A place where people with disabilities work. They are usually paid based on how much work they complete. Examples include putting together bulk mail or fixing furniture.

Simple Resolution – Used to state opinions, take actions, or change rules in the House or Senate. A simple resolution only applies to the chamber (House or Senate) that approved it. 

Single Point of Entry (SPOE) – One agency where people enter a service system.

Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP) – Provides guidance to the Department of Education about special education programs and services. The State Superintendent of Education picks the panel members.

Special Order – A bill is scheduled for debate on a specific day, giving it priority over other bills.

Special Session – See Extraordinary Session.

State Advisory Committee (SAC) – A committee of stakeholders that advises the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities about policies, procedures, and funding. A stakeholder is anyone who is affected by or has an interest in developmental disability policy and services. The SAC gets input from people with disabilities and their families and other interested people and groups. Also uses information from the Regional Advisory Committees to make recommendations to the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities about issues and concerns of Louisianans with developmental disabilities  

Study Request – A written request from a legislator asking a committee to study an issue during the break between legislative sessions. 

Substitute Bill – When a committee makes a lot of changes to a bill, it may recommend that a new bill replace the original. The new bill with the changes (amendments) is called a substitute bill.

Supplemental Appropriations Bill – A bill that makes changes to the current state budget to deal with unexpected issues. For example, increasing funding for emergencies (like disaster relief) or decreasing funding if a deficit is projected. A deficit is when there is not enough money in the state budget to cover all expenses.

Supported Employment – A service through Vocational Rehabilitation, the New Opportunities Waiver, Residential Options Waiver, and Supports Waiver. Supports help people get and keep jobs in the community.

Supported Independent Living (SIL) – People with developmental disabilities get ongoing support to live on their own in the community. They choose where they want to live and who they want to live with.

Supports and Services Center – A residential facility in Louisiana for people with developmental disabilities. People with developmental disabilities live and receive care there. It is run by the government.

Supports Waiver – A Medicaid program for people with developmental disabilities,18 or older. The Supports Waiver provides services to people at home and in the community.

Systems Advocacy – Taking action to improve laws and policies that affect large groups of people.

Systems Change – Fixing the big problems that make life harder for people with disabilities and their families. Instead of just helping one person at a time, it works to improve laws, services, and attitudes so everyone gets the support they need. It is about changing the whole system to be fair and accessible for all.

Tabled – Stopping all action on a bill or motion during a legislature session. The bill or motion is not voted on.

University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Services (UCEDD) – Centers based at universities that do research, train professionals, and provide services to improve the lives of people with developmental disabilities and their families.

Veto – When the governor decides not to approve a bill that has passed the House and Senate. The bill does not become law unless the legislature later votes to pass it (override the veto). 2/3 of the House and 2/3 of the Senate must vote to override the Governor’s veto for it to pass.

Veto Session – A special session of the legislature held 40 days after the regular session ended. Gives the legislature a chance to review and possibly override the governor’s veto of bills passed during the regular session.

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) – Services that help people with disabilities find and keep jobs in the community. Rehabilitation services include:

• Work Evaluation and Job Readiness: Helping people figure out what their skills and abilities are, and helping them get ready to work. 
• Assistive Technology: Understanding how assistive technology can help a person work and giving them what is needed.
• Medical and Therapeutic Services: Helping a person get the medical and therapy services they need to be able to work.
• Other services 

 Voluntarily Deferred – See Deferred.

Waiting List – See Request for Services Registry.

Waiver – A Medicaid program run by the state that provides services in people’s homes and communities instead of in institutions.