Glossary of Terms

 

Consumer Directed Services
When the person (or family, in the case of children) receiving supports makes the decisions regarding when, where, how and by whom he or she will receive those supports, or when the service is narrowly tailored to support the individual in a natural community setting.

Developmental Disability
California defines a developmental disability as "a disability which originates before an individual attains age 18, continues, or can be expected to continue, indefinitely, and constitutes a substantial disability for that individual…. This term shall include mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism. This term shall also include disabling conditions found to be closely related to mental retardation or to require treatment similar to that required for mentally retarded individuals, but shall not include other handicapping conditions that are solely physical in nature." The qualifying disability must result in substantial functional limitation in three or more of the following areas of major life activity: 1) self-care; 2) receptive and expressive language; 3) learning; 4) mobility; 5) self-direction; 6) capacity for independent living; 7) economic self-sufficiency.

Direct Support Professional (DSP)
DSPs are paid support workers who assist individuals with developmental disabilities to lead self-directed lives and to be a part of and contribute to their communities.  DSPs provide a broad array of supports in a variety of settings to people with various types of disabilities.

Independent Living Services (ILS)
Services provided to adults with developmental disabilities that offer functional skills training necessary to secure a self-sustaining, independent living situation in the community and/or may provide the support necessary to maintain those skills. Individuals typically live alone or with roommates in their own homes or apartments. These homes are not licensed.

Support
Assistance, encouragement, emotional help, guidance. Assistance from others that a person needs in order to maintain their best health, stay connected to others, maintain employment, or otherwise participate in the activities of life. Supports can be formal or informal and paid or unpaid. Paid supports are sometimes called "Services."

Supported Living Services (SLS)
Consist of a broad range of services to adults with developmental disabilities who choose to live in homes they themselves own or rent in the community. SLS may include assistance with selecting and moving into a home; choosing personal attendants and housemates; acquiring household furnishings; common daily living activities and emergencies; becoming a participating member in community life; managing personal financial affairs, as well as other supports. These services help individuals exercise meaningful choice and control in their daily lives, including where and with whom to live. SLS is designed to foster individuals' nurturing relationships, full membership in their community, and work toward their long-range personal goals. Because these may be life-long concerns, Supported Living Services are offered for as long and as often as needed, with the flexibility required to meet a persons' changing needs over time, and without regard solely to the level of disability. Typically, a supported living service agency works with the individual to establish and maintain a safe, stable, and independent life in his or her own home. But it is also possible for some individuals to supervise their services themselves, to secure the maximum possible level of personal independence.

Supported Employment (SE)
Services aimed at finding competitive work in a community integrated work setting for persons with severe disabilities who need ongoing support services to learn and perform the work. SE placements can be individual placements, group placements (called enclaves), and work crews, such as landscaping crews. Support is usually provided by a job coach who meets regularly with the individual on the job to help him or her learn the necessary skills and behaviors to work independently. As the individual gains mastery of the job, the support services are gradually phased out.