A group of people selected by an individual with developmental disabilities or other types of disabilities that meets regularly with the individual to help plan, design and support ways for that person to achieve his or her personal goals. Circles are based on the belief that the community is a place where everyone belongs. A circle can include friends, family, classmates, co-workers, professionals, and other community members.

The movement of people with disabilities from institutions and larger group homes into the community.

A facility that offers services designed to assist preschool and school-aged children with disabilities develop basic skills such as self-help skills, fine- and gross-motor coordination, language, communication and cognitive and social skills.

Personal care assistants, home care aides, or staff in community residential supports programs that assist people with disabilities with medications, preparing and eating meals, dressing, mobility, and handling daily affairs.

Co-occurrence of mental health disorders and a developmental disability or other disability such as substance abuse.

EPSDT is a mandatory benefit that entitles children enrolled in Medicaid to all services authorized by federal Medicaid law, including services considered optional for other populations and services not covered by most private insurance. The service limits that states can impose for adults cannot be applied to children, for whom all medically necessary care is covered. In addition to the diagnosis and treatment services covered by most private insurance, EPSDT covers screening and early intervention services to promote children’s healthy development, vision, dental and hearing services, scheduling and other administrative services, and care to ameliorate acute and chronic physical and mental health conditions.

Services for children with or at risk for developmental disabilities, delays or atypical development. Services may address communication, motor, cognitive, self-help and social-emotional development. Early intervention also includes assisting families in fully accessing community resources such as child service coordination, assistive technology, and speech, physical and occupational therapy.

is being ready for an emergency or unexpected natural disaster. Being prepared involves having an emergency supply kit; making a family emergency plan; and being informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur in your area and their appropriate responses

The act of enabling individuals with disabilities and the families of people with disabilities to exercise control in their lives by becoming the primary decision makers about the services and supports they are to receive, where they will live/work/go to school, etc.

The process that individuals use to find and evaluate opportunities and risks, and then develop and execute plans for translating those opportunities and risks into financial self-sufficiency.

pecial education and related services provided beyond the normal school year, in accordance with the child's IEP and at no cost to the parents.

Approach to planning and implementing services for children with disabilities and their families which makes the family, not just the child, the focus of intervention. Family-centered approaches make family members key participants in developing services and supports and in deciding when, where and how often these will be provided.

Services, supports and other assistance provided to families of individuals with disabilities. Such services are designed to strengthen the family’s role as primary caregiver, prevent inappropriate out-of-home placement, maintain family unity, and reunite families with children who have been placed out of the home.

Services, businesses, organizations or agencies that serve the general population rather than a select disability group. The use of generic services by people with disabilities encourages community inclusion. Examples of generic services include transportation, health care, and higher education.