CWDS Glossary
The CWDS Glossary includes a List of Acronyms and defined terms captured from various models, reports, and other artifacts pertaining to the Child Welfare System – California Automated Response and Engagement System (CWS-CARES) Project. The Glossary standardizes terms used across the various project disciplines; each term is defined with its meaning specific to the project domain.
The State may update the CWDS Glossary at any time. Any questions please contact CWDS Communications.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Administrative Action (AA)
A legal action initiated by CDSS against an applicant, licensee, or an individual or entity which is certified or approved. Examples include license revocations, initial license application denials, temporary suspension orders, and exclusions.
Administrator
In the context of CALS, the licensee, or the adult designated by the licensee to act in his/her behalf in the overall management of the facility.
Adoption Agencies
A CDSS adoptions regional or field office places the child for adoption. The birth parent's parental rights are terminated either by court order or by the filing of a relinquishment. The adoption agency becomes legally responsible for the care, custody, and control of the child. The agency studies and approves adoptive applicants before placing a child in their home for adoption, then supervises the placement for six or more months before the court approves the adoption.
Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS)
The collection of case-level information on all children in foster care for whom state child welfare agencies have placement, care, and supervisory responsibility, and on children who are adopted under the auspices of the state’s adoption program. AFCARS also includes information on foster and adoptive parents.
Adoption Assistance Payments (AAP)
Payment assistance to adoptive families.
Adoption Home Study
A written report containing the findings of the social worker who has met on several occasions with adoptive applicants, and investigated the health, medical, criminal, family and home background of all parties.
Adoption Services
Services that may include recruitment of potential adoptive parents, financial assistance to adoptive parents to assist in the support of special needs children, and direct relinquishment and independent adoption.
Adoptive Placement
Formal signing of adoptive placement papers by family with the intention of legal finalization of adoption.
AdoptUSKids
A multi-faceted, federally funded project whose mission is to raise public awareness about the need for families for children in foster care, and assist States, Territories and Tribes to recruit and retain foster and adoptive families and connect them with children.
Adult
In the context of Resource Family, a person who is 18 years old or older. Exceptions include an individual aged 18-19 who meet the requirements of WIC 11403, or an individual aged 18-22 determined to be "child with special health care needs" and continues to be provided with care and supervision by a caregiver in the home.