Glossary of Terms

An adoption sensitive definition for the parent who gave birth to a child. Birth parent is appropriate instead of natural or biological parent.

Originally defined as the immediate connection made between infant and mother at the moment of first contact after birth. It is the behaviors of two beings toward one another as they create a relationship. The dictionary defines bonding as uniting, “sticking together,” adhering.

A formal document issued by one of the Department of Human Services program offices that transmits information, makes an announcement, transmits a regulation interpretation or issues a policy guideline to affected individuals and organizations outside the Department.  A bulletin is not a means to communicate within the Department, but rather is intended to communicate with external individuals and organizations.  A bulletin is a public document.

A federal law under which qualifying states may obtain grants for a variety of training and programs for the prevention, treatment and investigation of child abuse and neglect.  Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act In Acts, Laws, and Bulletins

An individual who:

1. is under the age of 18 years;
2. is under the age of 21 years who committed an act of delinquency before reaching the age of 18 years; or
3. is under the age of 21 years and was adjudicated dependent before reaching the age of 18 years, who has requested the court to retain jurisdiction and who remains under the jurisdiction of the court as a dependent child because the court has determined that the child is:
   1. completing secondary education or an equivalent credential;
   2. enrolled in an institution which provides post-secondary or vocational education;
   3. participating in a program actively designed to promote or remove barriers to employment;
   4. employed for at least 80 hours per month; or
   5. incapable of doing any of the activities described in subparagraph (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) due to a medical or behavioral health condition, which is supported by regularly updated information in the permanency plan of the child

A federal law under which qualifying states may obtain grants for a variety of training and programs for the prevention, treatment and investigation of child abuse and neglect.  Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act In Acts, Laws, and Bulletins