The failure of a parent to provide adequately for the financial support for a child and an unjustified failure to maintain, or attempt to maintain, contact or a parental relationship with the child. Abandonment is judged over a period of time which varies in different states, but the time period to prove legal abandonment is usually between 6 months and one year.

The use or treatment of someone or something that is seen as harmful. Abuse of a person can be physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, or a combination of any or all of those. Abuse of a substance may involve alcohol or drugs.

(short for Ansell Casey Life skills Assessment) An evaluation of young person’s skills which will contribute to their success as they transition to adulthood. Available for free at caseylifeskills.org.

Someone asks for a hearing to change the court’s decision. Any court decision is subject to an appeal. Appeals can take several months to resolve.

An evaluation of young person’s skills which will contribute to their success as they transition to adulthood. Available for free at caseylifeskills.org.

When a youth emancipates or leaves foster care because they turn a certain age, such as 18 or 21 (depending on the laws of the state they live in). Aging out usually results in loss of support from the State for things such as foster care payments, housing, living costs and health services.

The organization responsible for providing services while a child or youth is in foster care. Agencies may have names such as CPS, DHS, or CFS and may be run by the county, state or by a private organization.

A person who speaks up on behalf of themselves or someone else in an effort to gain services or things.

The creation of a new, permanent relationship between an adoptive parent and a child. Once this happens, there is no legal difference between a child who is adopted and a child who is born into a family. Adoption can happen at any time, from baby to teenager (or even beyond). Adoption can be by a relative, foster parent, or a completely new family. An adoptive family might be a single parent, a couple, or a family with kids.

A medical condition that affects how well someone can sit still, focus, and pay attention. People with ADHD have differences in the parts of their brains that control attention and activity. This means that they may have trouble focusing on certain tasks and subjects, or they may seem “wired,” act impulsively, and get into trouble.

A hearing to figure out if there has been a crime.

(Short for Attention Deficit Disorder) A medical condition that affects how well someone can sit still, focus, and pay attention. People with ADHD have differences in the parts of their brains that control attention and activity. This means that they may have trouble focusing on certain tasks and subjects, or they may seem “wired,” act impulsively, and get into trouble.

When a person has no control over whether he or she uses drugs or alcohol. For example, someone who’s addicted to cocaine has grown so used to the drug that he or she has to have it. Addiction can be physical, psychological, or both.

Works with children, youth and families (sometimes the children and youth are still in their homes) to assess, investigate and provide ongoing social services to families where abuse and neglect of youth has been reported.

The legal requirement that information is kept secret. Usually attorneys, caseworkers, social workers, foster parents and other professionals involved with a young person’s foster care case are not to disclose identifying or other significant information about the foster care case without legal authority and the written consent of the involved parties to do so.

An adult volunteer, assigned by the court to study and protect the best interests of a youth in a civil, criminal abuse or neglect case. The CASA and the youth should talk on an ongoing basis. The CASA is your voice in the courtroom.

(short for Child Protective Services) Works with children, youth and families (sometimes the children and youth are still in their homes) to assess, investigate and provide ongoing social services to families where abuse and neglect of youth has been reported.

The care, control, and maintenance of a child, which can be legally awarded by the court to an agency in abuse and neglect cases, or to parents in divorce, separation, and adoption proceedings. Child welfare departments retain legal custody and control over the major decisions for a child that is in foster care. Foster parents do not have legal custody of the children that are in their care.

A child who has been placed in the legal custody of either the state or the county foster care system by the courts, usually due to the abandonment, abuse or neglect of the child by a parents or other caregiver.

An abbreviation for the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program, named after John H. Chafee, the U.S. Senator responsible for introducing legislation that offers assistance to help current and former youth in foster care achieve self-sufficiency. The legislation provides funds for Independent Living Programs and Education and Training Vouchers for higher education.

Works with youth and their families to provide services and support, with the goal of permanent placement for the youth.

A plan that the foster care agency, along with the youth and family, makes and updates regularly. It includes the services provided to the youth and family, and makes clear the expectations and progress made toward reaching the goals for the child or youth.

The court gives an individual a chance to admit or deny the crime or to let the judge decide.

A medical condition that affects how well someone can sit still, focus, and pay attention. People with ADHD have differences in the parts of their brains that control attention and activity. This means that they may have trouble focusing on certain tasks and subjects, or they may seem “wired,” act impulsively, and get into trouble.

A professional person authorized to practice law and give legal advice. Most young people in foster care are represented by an attorney in court, who helps to protect their best interests. The agency, biological parents, adoptive parents and others involved in the case may have their own attorney. Also called a lawyer.

The person(s) who gave birth, or fathered the child.

A person who has the responsibility to care for a young person in foster care.

(short for Court Appointed Special Advocate) An adult volunteer, assigned by the court to study and protect the best interests of a youth in a civil, criminal abuse or neglect case. The CASA and the youth should talk on an ongoing basis. The CASA is your voice in the courtroom.

Refers to individuals that are unrelated by either birth or marriage, who have an emotionally significant relationship with another individual that takes on the characteristics of a family relationship.

Placing a child in the temporary care of a family other than its own as the result of problems or challenges that are taking place within the birth family.

A home which is licensed by the state or an agency to take in children and youth who have been placed in foster care.

(short for Guardian Ad Litum) Minor children cannot make legal decisions for themselves, nor bind themselves legally to any contractual obligations. Therefore, in any legal proceeding where the legal interests of a child and the legal interests of its parents are considered to be adverse or in conflict with each other, a guardian ad litem will be appointed for a child by the court. This independent adult will act on behalf of the child in the legal proceeding, and make certain that the interests and legal rights of the child are given adequate consideration and are adequately protected in the process. The legal protective status of a guardian ad litem will exist only within the confines of the particular court case in which the appointment was made.

A home or facility where a number of unrelated young people live with house parents or rotating staff (caregivers). More specialized therapeutic or treatment group homes have specially-trained staff to assist children with emotional and behavioral difficulties. The make-up and staffing of the group home can be adapted to meet the unique needs of its residents.

A person who fulfills some of the custodial and parenting responsibilities of the legal parents of a child, although the court or biological parents of the child may continue to hold some jurisdiction and decisionmaking authority over the child. Guardians are subject to ongoing supervision by the court and do not have the same reciprocal rights of inheritance as birth or adoptive parents have with their children. The relationship between the guardian and child ends when it is terminated by the court, or when the child reaches the age of majority. Guardianship (see Legal Guardianship).

Refers to certain birth defects and impairments that may be suffered by a child as the result of heavy alcohol consumption by its mother during pregnancy. Symptoms may include significant learning and behavioral disorders (including ADHD), poor social judgment, and impulsive behaviors.

A program in most states that is designed to keep families together by providing support and intervention services to children and families in their home. The family is observed, evaluated and treated while they are still together, with a goal of avoiding foster care placement.

(Short for Education and Training Voucher) Provides Federal Chafee funds for young people from foster care to support their higher education. In most cases, funds can help pay for a Trade or Vocational school, housing, transportation, books, fees and other costs related to education. See also Chafee.

A physical or mental impairment which can limit a young person’s ability in the following areas: self care, language skills, learning, personal mobility, self-direction, potential for independent living and potential for economic self-sufficiency as an adult.

Short for Department of Human Services or Department of Health and Human Services, common titles for the agency that provides services for children and youth in foster care. See also Agency.

The decision about where the youth should live (such as in state custody), as well as what the parents, agency and the youth must do to change the current situation. Sometimes court hearings are continued and changed to another date for various reasons. For instance, someone may not show up, or everyone at court may feel it’s a good idea to delay the hearing.

Provides Federal Chafee funds for young people from foster care to support their higher education. In most cases, funds can help pay for a Trade or Vocational school, housing, transportation, books, fees and other costs related to education. See also Chafee.

A youth who is legally declared an adult (by a court) prior to age 18. A youth in foster care who emancipates is no longer a ward of the court (or in foster care).

Emotional abuse can be difficult to pin down because there may not be physical signs. Emotional abuse happens when yelling and anger go too far or when an individual is criticized, threatened, or dismissed until their self-esteem and feelings of self-worth are damaged. Emotional abuse can hurt and cause damage just as physical abuse does.

Problems that affect the brain’s ability to receive, process, analyze, or store information which can make it difficult for a student to learn as quickly as someone who isn’t affected by learning disabilities. A learning disability doesn’t have anything to do with a person’s intelligence.

Placement with a person who is charged with the legal responsibility for the care and management of the child. A legal guardian will be under the supervision of the court and will be required to appear in court to give periodic reports about the status of the child and its estate.

Since a child can have only one set of legal parents at a time, when the parental rights of a child’s biological parents are legally terminated, the child becomes legally “free” to be adopted by someone else who then becomes the legal parent.

Pages or a packet of information prepared with or for a child about his/her social background. It includes pictures and stories about people, events and places which are important to the child’s history and life.

Abilities that are helpful to a young person to possess or gain to ensure a successful transition to adulthood. These include skills and knowledge pertaining to employment, housing and home life, money management, health and self care, relationships, education, and daily living.

Physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse of a child or youth.

The successful performance of the mind, leading to productive activities, fulfilling relationships with other people, and the ability to adapt to change and to cope with adversity.

Placement of a foster child in the home of someone who is related to the child by family ties or by a significant prior relationship connection.

The person who has oversight of the court hearing which determines what is in the best interest of a young person in foster care. The judge issues court orders, reads reports, hears arguments and decides whether the youth should be placed in the custody of the state (into foster care).

Minor children cannot make legal decisions for themselves, nor bind themselves legally to any contractual obligations. Therefore, in any legal proceeding where the legal interests of a child and the legal interests of its parents are considered to be adverse or in conflict with each other, a guardian ad litem will be appointed for a child by the court. This independent adult will act on behalf of the child in the legal proceeding, and make certain that the interests and legal rights of the child are given adequate consideration and are adequately protected in the process. The legal protective status of a guardian ad litem will exist only within the confines of the particular court case in which the appointment was made.

People who supervise and provide care to young people in a group home or residence.

(short for Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children) ICPC are laws which control the lawful movement of children from one state to another for the purposes of foster care placement and adoption.

ILP is a program designed to provide support and services to young people preparing to transition from foster care to life on their own. Services often include training for employment, education, housing, relationships, health and other daily living skills.

A Federal law that gives Native American Indian Nations and Tribes, including the Alaskan Aleuts, the right to control foster care and adoptions that involve their tribal members, the children of their tribal members and those individuals that could become tribal members.

A written plan for educational support services and their anticipated outcomes. An IEP is developed for students who are enrolled in special education programs or are behind in their education, as is often the case for young people in foster care.

ICPC are laws which control the lawful movement of children from one state to another for the purposes of foster care placement and adoption.

All of the legal rights, and corresponding legal obligations, that go along with being the parent of a child. These include: the right to legal and physical custody of the child, the right to physical access or visitation with the child, the right to inherit property from the child and to have the child inherit property from the parent,the right to consent to medical care and treatment for the child, the right to consent to the marriage of the child or its enlistment in military service, the ability to contract on behalf of the child, the obligation to provide financial support for the child, the responsibility to provide a legal defense of the child in legal proceedings, the obligation to care for, direct and supervise the child, the obligation to be legally liable for certain damages caused by the child, the obligation to see that the child attends school, and the obligation to protect the child and provide a safe living environment for the child.

The identity of the biological father of a child.

To have an enduring kin-like relationship that is safe and meant to last a lifetime.

An agreement between a young person and a supportive adult which defines the scope of a relationship which is intended to provide permanence and specific supports for the youth.

The caseworker coordinates services for the youth and family to fix the problems that led to the youth’s placement in state custody. The goal is to assure a long-term placement for the youth. This may be going home, staying in long-term foster care until age 18 or 21, or being placed for adoption.

Physical abuse is often the most easily spotted form of abuse. It may be any kind of hitting, shaking, burning, pinching, biting, choking, throwing, beating, and other actions that cause physical injury, leave marks, or produce significant physical pain.

This term is used to describe the point in time when a young person goes to live in a foster home, group home, or other temporary living arrangement.

An institution that houses children who are orphaned, abandoned, or whose parents are unable to care for them. Orphanages are rarely used in the United States, but are more frequently found in other countries.

A child who has no living parents, or whose parents have disappeared, abandoned, or are no longer able or willing to adequately support a child.

A disorder of the mind that causes unusual behavior.

Somebody, usually older and with more experience, who provides advice and support to a young person.

Unwanted sexual attention forced on a child or young person.

When parents or guardians don’t take care of the basic needs of the children who depend on them. Neglect occurs when a child or teen doesn’t have adequate food, housing, clothes, medical care, or supervision. Emotional neglect occurs when a parent doesn’t provide enough emotional support or deliberately and consistently pays very little or no attention to a child. Neglect is not when a parent doesn’t give a kid something he or she wants, like a new computer or a cell phone. Neglect is one form of abuse, but probably the hardest type of abuse to define.

This document contains details about when and where a foster care court hearing will take place and provides notice to people who may wish to appear or have something to say at court. This notice must be delivered to certain individuals such as attorneys, biological parents, foster parents and caregivers. In some cases, a foster child or youth may receive notice automatically or by special request from the judge or young person.

OCD is a type of anxiety disorder. People with OCD become preoccupied with whether something could be harmful, dangerous, wrong, or dirty — or with thoughts about bad stuff that might happen. With OCD, upsetting or scary thoughts or images, called obsessions, pop into a person’s mind and are hard to shake.

A regular pattern of negative, defiant, disobedient, and hostile behavior toward authority figures that goes on for at least six months. May include frequent loss of temper, tendency to argue with adults, refusal to obey adult rules or requests, deliberate behaviors to annoy others, spiteful and vindictive behavior, use of obscene language, and other misbehaviors.

An individual’s ability to effectively communicate, convey, negotiate or assert his or her own interests, desires, needs, and rights. It involves making informed decisions and taking responsibility for those decisions.

Sexual abuse is any type of sexual contact between an adult and anyone younger than 18, or between a significantly older child and a younger child. If a family member sexually abuses another family member, this is called incest.

Sexually transmitted diseases (also known as STDs) and once called venereal diseases or VD) are infectious diseases that spread from person to person through intimate contact.

Temporary housing for a young person who needs an immediate safe place to live.

Brother or sister.

A licensed professional who gives children and families support. Social workers play a key role in the recruitment of qualified foster parents, placing children in supportive homes, and coordinating available resources for families.

Children that are more difficult to provide foster care services or placements for because they are older, or have some form of physical, mental, emotional, or developmental challenge, or who are multi-ethnic or biracial children. This definition also includes children that are part of a sibling group that are expected to do better if they were placed in a foster home together.

Services that can bring a family back together by working on the problems that caused the separation of the youth from the family.

Temporary care for a youth in foster care, intended to give either the youth or foster parent (or provider) a break.

A very strong stress reaction that can develop after a traumatic event. Abuse, witnessing or experiencing any type of personal or environmental disaster, or being threatened with an assault can lead to PTSD. Symptoms may include: strong emotions, jitters, and trouble sleeping, eating, or concentrating. A person with PTSD might experience frequent thoughts and images of what happened, nightmares, or fears. The right care and support can reduce or eliminate these symptoms and allow a person to move on.

After an agency finds that a child is experiencing or in danger of abuse or neglect, the agency will initiate a court action. To protect the child, the court can issue temporary orders placing the child in shelter care during the investigation, ordering services, or ordering certain individuals to have no contact with the child.

(short for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) A very strong stress reaction that can develop after a traumatic event. Abuse, witnessing or experiencing any type of personal or environmental disaster, or being threatened with an assault can lead to PTSD. Symptoms may include: strong emotions, jitters, and trouble sleeping, eating, or concentrating. A person with PTSD might experience frequent thoughts and images of what happened, nightmares, or fears. The right care and support can reduce or eliminate these symptoms and allow a person to move on.

A person who is believed to be the father of a child, or who claims to be the father of a child, at a time when there may not be enough evidence or information available to determine if it is true.

A condition that generally appears in children before age five, and is thought to result from a lack of consistent care and nurturing in early years. The disorder is characterized by the inability of a child or infant to establish age-appropriate social contact and relationships with others.

When a birth parent voluntarily gives up his or her parental rights, often so that someone else can adopt the child.

A structured care facility with highly trained staff that provide services to young people to overcome behavioral, emotional, mental, or psychological problems that have had harmful impacts on family life, school achievement, and peer relationships.

A group of young people who have experienced foster care. The group generally works on issues to improve the system, raise public awareness, or to provide peer support to other foster youth. Sometimes called a Youth Advisory Council.

A child or youth who has a guardian appointed by the court to care for and take responsibility for them. A governmental agency may take temporary custody of a young person if the child is suffering from parental neglect or abuse, or has been in trouble with the law.

When a parent or guardian makes a decision on their own to place a child in foster care.

A program provide by some states that allows current and former foster youth to attend publicly funded colleges and higher education institutions without paying (or with a substantial reduction of) tuition and fees.

A service, usually including housing, provided to young people who are in the process of aging out of foster care or have recently emancipated from the system.

A structured plan for services and supports for a young person who will emancipate (or “age out”) of the foster care system to life on their own. The goal is to assure a young person’s safety and health as they adjust to supporting themselves as a young adult.

When a young person leaves foster care, whether through reunification, adoption, or emancipation. See also Emancipation and Aging Out.

(short for Termination of Parental Rights) If family reunification has been ruled out and adoption is a possibility for the child, the agency may petition (request) for termination of parents’ rights to the child. If the court terminates parental rights it means the child is legally free for adoption. It also means that your biological parents have no legal rights pertaining to the child anymore.

A person who provides supportive services such as counseling, goal planning and advocacy for youth and families. A therapist has received specialized training and may be a Social Worker, Psychologist or Psychiatrist.

A foster home in which the foster parents or caregivers have specialized training to provide care for children and adolescents who may have emotional or behavioral problems. Also referred to as a “Treatment Foster Home.”

If family reunification has been ruled out and adoption is a possibility for the child, the agency may petition (request) for termination of parents’ rights to the child. If the court terminates parental rights it means the child is legally free for adoption. It also means that your biological parents have no legal rights pertaining to the child anymore.

A person (usually a foster parent or care provider) who is appointed by the Department of Education to make sure that a youth’s special education needs are being met.

Sexually transmitted diseases (also known as STDs and once called venereal diseases or VD) are infectious diseases that spread from person to person through intimate contact.

This is a test term for the glossary