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.

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.