| Adult: |
An individual who is 18 years of age and over. |
| Area Director: |
The person who manages and oversees the administration of a DMR Area Office as well as the services and supports this office offers to eligible individuals and families. |
| Area Office: |
One of 23 statewide locally based DMR offices responsible for the organization, coordination and provision of services or supports to individuals and families who live within the office’s service area. |
| Catchment area: |
The areas that an agency generally serves. The Arc of Greater Boston’s catchment area includes Arlington, Boston, Belmont, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Newton, Revere, Somerville, Watertown and Winthrop. |
| Central Office: |
The main headquarters of the Department of Mental Retardation. |
| Child: |
An individual who is younger than 18 years of age. |
| Community: |
City, town, district, neighborhood or other commonly recognized geographical, social, or political area. |
| Competent: |
Means a person is capable of making informed decisions in specific areas regarding the conduct of one’s personal and/or financial affairs. |
| Consent: |
Voluntary approval given by a person who has adequate information, knowledge and understanding to comprehend the consequences of the decision. |
| CORI: |
Criminal Offender Records Information check that state and private agencies review to determine appropriateness of present or prospective direct care staff and volunteers to work with persons with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. |
| Family: |
Parent, foster parents, spouses, siblings and others who perform the roles and functions of family members in the life of an individual, including persons in a relationship of mutual support with an individual that is exclusive and expected to endure over time. |
| Fiscal Year: |
The Arc of Greater Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts operate on an annual fiscal budget that runs from July 1st to June 30th of the following year. |
| Governing Board: |
The governing body of a provider (The Arc of Greater Boston’s Board of Directors) |
| Guardian: |
A person or entity that has legal guardianship is a natural or adoptive parent, individual or agency that has legal guardianship of persons under the age of 18 years. With respect to persons 18 years of age or older, it is the individual, organization or agency, if any that has been appointed legal guardian of the person by a court of competent jurisdiction. |
| Home and Community Based Waiver (HCBS): |
A federal program authorized by section 1915 (c) of the Social Security Act. The HCBS waiver for MR/DD is a Medical program that covers home and community based services for individuals eligible for DMR services and meet the Medicaid and HCBS waiver criteria for participation in the waiver. |
| Individual: |
A person receiving services or supports provided purchased or arranged by DMR. |
| Individual Support Plan (ISP): |
A written plan of services or supports for an individual over the age of 22 which is developed, implemented, reviewed and modified according to the requirements of the DMR’s regulations on individual support plans. |
| Least Restrictive: |
vThose settings, modes of service, and styles of living and working that are most similar to and most integrated with what is typical and age appropriate in the community, and which interfere the least with the individual’s independence. |
| Minor: |
A person under the age of 18. |
| School District: |
The municipal city, town or regional school district that has the programmatic and financial responsibility for the student based on residency. |
| Service Coordinator: |
The person designated by the Department of Mental Retardation to arrange, coordinate, monitor and remain informed about services or supports DMR provides, purchases, or arranges (through the state or another agency, such as the Arc of Greater Boston) for a particular individual. |
| Stipend: |
Sum of money that an agency may pay to an individual or family for the purchase of specific goods and services. |
