Self Advocacy

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

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

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.

Shelter

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

Sibling

Brother or sister.

Social Worker

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.

Special Needs

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.

Surrogate Parent

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.

STD

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.