Glossary of Terms

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  • c

  • Custody
    The legal responsibility of guarding and protecting a child.
  • d

  • Department of Health
    The Department of Health was created by the Act of April 27, 1905, P.L. 312, and modified subsequently through the Administrative Code of 1929. Act 87 of July 2, 1996, P.L.518, removed the requirement that the Secretary be a Physician; The Act also established the new position of Physician General. Over the years, the Department's mission has been adapted to meet the needs and demands of the dynamic nature of Public Health including the provision of top-quality programs and services that benefit the health, safety and well-being of all Pennsylvanians.
    http://www.health.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx#.V44raKPD8dk
  • Department of Human Services
    The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ seven program offices administer services that provide care and support to Pennsylvania's most vulnerable citizens. The program offices include the following: Office of Child Development and Early Learning; Office of Long Term Living; Office of Children, Youth and Families; Office of Medical Assistance Programs Office of Developmental Programs; Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services; and Office of Income Maintenance. The mission of DHS is to improve the quality of life for Pennsylvania’s individuals and families.  http://www.dhs.pa.gov
  • Dependent Child
    The Juvenile Act defines dependent child as follows: "Dependent child."  A child who:
    1. Is without proper parental care or control, subsistence, education as required by law, or other care or control necessary for his physical, mental, or emotional health, or morals. A determination that there is a lack of proper parental care or control may be based upon evidence of conduct by the parent, guardian or other custodian that places the health, safety or welfare of the child at risk, including evidence of the parent's, guardian's or other custodian's use of alcohol or a controlled substance that places the health, safety or welfare of the child at risk;
    2. has been placed for care or adoption in violation of law;
    3. has been abandoned by his parents, guardian, or other custodian;
    4. is without a parent, guardian, or legal custodian;
    5. while subject to compulsory school attendance is habitually and without justification truant from school;
    6. has committed a specific act or acts of habitual disobedience of the reasonable and lawful commands of his parent, guardian or other custodian and who is ungovernable and found to be in need of care, treatment or supervision;
    7. has committed a delinquent act or crime, other than a summary offense, while under the age of ten years;
    8. has been formerly adjudicated dependent, and is under the jurisdiction of the court, subject to its conditions or placements and who commits an act which is defined as ungovernable in paragraph (6);
    9. has been referred pursuant to section 6323 (relating to informal adjustment), and who commits an act which is defined as ungovernable in paragraph (6); or
    10. is born to a parent whose parental rights with regard to another child have been involuntarily terminated under 23 Pa.C.S. § 2511 (relating to grounds for involuntary termination) within three years immediately preceding the date of birth of the child and conduct of the parent poses a risk to the health, safety or welfare of the child.
  • DHS
    The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ seven program offices administer services that provide care and support to Pennsylvania's most vulnerable citizens. The program offices include the following: Office of Child Development and Early Learning; Office of Long Term Living; Office of Children, Youth and Families; Office of Medical Assistance Programs Office of Developmental Programs; Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services; and Office of Income Maintenance. The mission of DHS is to improve the quality of life for Pennsylvania’s individuals and families.  http://www.dhs.pa.gov
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Volume
    The current edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).  It is used by clinicians and researchers to diagnose and classify mental disorders. It creates a common language for clinicians involved in the diagnosis of mental disorders and includes concise and specific criteria intended to facilitate an objective assessment of symptom presentations in a variety of clinical settings.
  • DOH
    The Department of Health was created by the Act of April 27, 1905, P.L. 312, and modified subsequently through the Administrative Code of 1929. Act 87 of July 2, 1996, P.L.518, removed the requirement that the Secretary be a Physician; The Act also established the new position of Physician General. Over the years, the Department's mission has been adapted to meet the needs and demands of the dynamic nature of Public Health including the provision of top-quality programs and services that benefit the health, safety and well-being of all Pennsylvanians.
    http://www.health.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx#.V44raKPD8dk
  • DSM-5
    The current edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).  It is used by clinicians and researchers to diagnose and classify mental disorders. It creates a common language for clinicians involved in the diagnosis of mental disorders and includes concise and specific criteria intended to facilitate an objective assessment of symptom presentations in a variety of clinical settings.