Terminology N - O
From Voices for Ohio's Children
NAFCC (National Association for Family Child Care)
What began years ago as an informal approach to providing childcare as a way to support working parents, family childcare providers today are making an intentional career choice to offer quality early care and education in their homes. The NAFCC is dedicated to advocating for the family childcare profession by collaborating with other local and national organizations who contribute to the family child care field to increase awareness about and improve the quality of family childcare.
Useful Website: http://www.nafcc.org/include/default.asp
Native Language
The language or mode of communication normally used.
Natural Environments
A home, childcare center, or other place where children are typically found. IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) mandates that infants and toddlers with special needs be served in natural environments.
NCCD-CRC (National Council on Crime & Delinquency/Child Research Center)
The NCCD, through conducting research and promoting reform initiatives, supports humane and economically sound solutions to justice issues concerning families and their communities. The CRC, through conducting research and developing case management systems, helps child welfare organizations to reduce child abuse and neglect. Both sites provide access to their research publications.
Useful Website: http://www.nccd-crc.org
NCJFCJ (National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges)
The mission of the Council is to improve family and juvenile court and system practice and raise awareness about core issues that impact many children and families. Child abuse and neglect, delinquency and family violence are among the categories of research and resources provided, included standards of practice.
Useful Website: http://www.ncjfcj.org
NCJJ (National Center for Juvenile Justice)
The NCJJ is the non-profit research division of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. They focus on Systems, Applied, and Legal research. Their website features state profiles including information on detention, delinquency intake screening, diversion, victims’ rights and services, probation supervision, and aftercare/re-entry.
Useful Website: http://www.ncjj.org
NCMHJJ (National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice)
The NCMHJJ strives to be a centralized national hub that links all current organizations working to improve the policies and programs for youth with mental health needs in the system. The website contains information on their current projects, links to juvenile justice publications, and information on recent studies.
Useful Website: http://www.ncmhjj.com
NCTSN (National Child Traumatic Stress Network)
The mission of the NCTSN is to improve the standard of care for traumatized children and their families. In addition to numerous resources for providers, caregivers, advocates and policy-makers on trauma, their website provides fact sheets related to juvenile justice including Trauma Among Girls in the Juvenile Justice System and Victimization and Juvenile Offending.
Useful Website: http://www.NCTSNet.org
Neighborhood Collaborative
Groups of residents, foster/birth/adoptive parents, youth service providers, schools, faith-based organization and other parties who have come together to respond to the needs of children and families in their neighborhoods. The organization or network subscribes to the Family to Family Values of the Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family Services and has entered into a contract with Children and Family Services to provide family centered, community based care for families in their neighborhood.
Neighborhood Services and Supports
Services and supports that are developed through collaboration of community members and organizations to meet needs of families within the neighborhoods.
NFP (Nurse-Family Partnership Program)
The NFP program promotes the well-being of infants and toddlers through home-based specialized services and public awareness, with an emphasis on early intervention and prevention for children, ages birth to 3 years, and their families. Home visiting sessions include everyone who makes up the child’s supportive environment. For infants, they address physical care, early emotional availability and attachment, and reading infant cues. For toddlers, the sessions address child health and development as well as parenting issues. They are operated by respected local health/service agencies in Dayton, Columbus, and Cincinnati. A site is expected to open in Canton in the summer of 2006.
Useful Website: http://www.nursefamilypartnership.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home
NILA (National Independent Living Association)
NILA, a membership based organization, offers support to its members concerned with out of home care youth transitioning from young adults to adulthood. Their website offers information on membership and its benefits, a link to its online publication, and government information and statistics.
Useful Website: http://www.nilausa.org
NJDC (National Juvenile Defender Center)
The National Juvenile Defender Center aims to increase availability and quality of counsel for children in the justice system. The NJDC provides training and technical assistance, serves as a clearinghouse for information, and has conducted assessments of the quality of counsel for children in numerous states, including Ohio. Their site provides information on membership, lists of services, and links to publications.
Useful Website: http://www.njdc.info
NJJN (National Juvenile Justice Network)
The NJJN enhances states’ juvenile justice coalitions to advocate for fair and equitable treatment of youth in the juvenile justice system. Their website provides links to participating states and their state information/publications and resources addressing many juvenile justice issues, such as brain development, gender issues, disproportionate treatment of minority youth, transferring youth to adult court, mental health, systems integration, aftercare, youth development, etc.
Useful Website: http://www.njjn.org
NMHA (National Mental Health Association)
The NMHA addresses all issues concerning mental health needs of all individuals, young and old, through advocacy, research, service and education. Their website contains links to many reports addressing mental health needs of youth in the juvenile justice system; also has fact sheets and directory of their affiliate network.
Useful Website: http://www.nmha.org
OAEYC (Ohio’s Association for the Education of Young Children)
Ohio AEYC is a statewide organization of professionals that advocates for the early childhood workforce, quality care and education for young children and families; and provides leadership and professional development opportunities for Ohio's early childhood educators.
Useful Website: http://www.oaeyc.org/
OAIMH (Ohio Association for Infant Mental Health)
See WAIMH (below)
OCCRRA (Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association)
These resource and referral agencies provide services to families, early childhood professionals, and Ohio communities which promote the positive development of all children, including those in learning environments outside their homes. Each agency maintains a regional database of childcare providers, offers professional development opportunities for the providers, helps families select care, and provides information to policy and decision makers regarding how best to care for Ohio’s children.
Useful Website: http://www.occrra.org/
OCECD (Ohio’s Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities)
A statewide, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the educational interests of children with disabilities. They also collaborate with local parent support organizations to offer information, training and support to parents of children with disabilities.
Useful Website: http://www.ocecd.org/ocecd/about/index.cfm
OCTF (Ohio Children’s Trust Fund)
Established in 1984, this trust fund focuses on providing leadership and funding for primary and secondary education programs that focus on preventing abuse and neglect of Ohio’s children. The fund not only supports statewide programs and activities, but also addresses diverse local needs of abused and neglected children in specific areas of the state.
Useful Website: http://jfs.ohio.gov/OCTF/
ODADAS (Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services)
Plans, initiates and coordinates an extensive system of services designed to prevent substance abuse and treat Ohio’s addicted populations with the goal of an addiction-free Ohio that promotes health, safety, and economic opportunity. The Department coordinates alcohol and other drug services of the state department, the criminal justice system, law enforcement, the legislature, local programs, and treatment/prevention professionals in an effort to provide a quality prevention, treatment, and recovery system for addicts that is valued throughout Ohio.
Useful Website: http://www.odadas.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODADAS/ODADASDefault.aspx?page=1
ODDC (Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council)
One of a national network of state councils committed to self-determination and community inclusion for people with developmental disabilities. They design activities that contribute to a number of systems and services that aid these individuals and their families. The ODDC consists of 28 members appointed by the governor who are people with developmental disabilities, parents or guardians of those that have developmental disabilities, and those that represent agencies and organizations that service people with developmental disabilities.
Useful Website: http://ddc.ohio.gov/Abt/over.htm
ODE (Ohio Department of Education)
This Ohio state agency works in collaboration with the State Board of Education to make sure that what is expected of students is taught in classrooms and measured by assessments. ODE is committed to make sure that all students reach high achievement levels, including those with disabilities, limited English proficiency, and low socioeconomic status, including students from major ethnic and racial groups. The ODE’s accountability system consists of an aligned state system of academic content standards, curriculum models, and achievement and diagnostic tests to ensure that teaching and learning in Ohio continues to grow and improve.
Useful Website: http://www.ode.state.oh.us/faq/
ODH (Ohio Department of Health)
A group of dedicated professionals who lead Ohio residents in obtaining optimal health. ODH provides a plethora of public health programs, many of which are dedicated to children, including Child and Family Health Services, Childhood Injury Prevention, Child Passenger Safety, Children with Medical Handicaps (BCMH), and Help Me Grow (HMG).
Useful Website: http://www.odh.state.oh.us/
ODJFS (Ohio Department of Job and Family Services)
Committed to improving the quality of life for Ohioans, ODJFS strives to ensure that children grow up safe and healthy, youth become responsible adults, Ohioans realize how to become economically sound, and those with disabilities receive care and support services. ODJFS hopes to lead the nation in providing family support and development of the workforce. ODJFS administers many major programs and services, including Ohio’s Medicaid Program, foster care/adoption services, the Early Learning Initiative (ELI) program, and childcare regulations to name a few.
Useful Website: http://odjfsperformancecenter.ohio.gov/pdf/strategicplan.pdf
ODMH (Ohio Department of Mental Health)
This state agency provides a distinct healthcare system for those with mental illness in Ohio that provides care for the uninsured and compensation for inadequate health benefit insurance plans. Responsibilities include supporting and monitoring local care systems, providing hospital care, providing community services (such as staff to care for the mentally ill), improving mental health care for children, improving links between mental health patients in the criminal justice system, and providing quality support services to those with mental health ailments.
Useful Website: http://www.mh.state.oh.us/
ODMR/DD (Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities)
MR/DD uses taxpayer money to distribute funds for community-based services to those with mental retardation and/or developmental disabilities that live in their homes and communities. Services include daily living skills, job training, transportation, residential opportunities, and related services. The Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities is committed to the continuous improvement of quality of life for Ohio’s citizens with developmental disabilities and their families.
Useful Websites: http://www.mrdd.org/home.asp
http://odmrdd.state.oh.us/
ODS (Ohio Department of Services)
See ODYS (Below)
ODYS (Ohio Department of Youth Services)
The Ohio Department of Youth Services enhances public safety by holding youthful offenders accountable and providing opportunities for rehabilitation.
OFCF (Ohio Family and Children First)
A partnership of government agencies and community organizations committed to improving the well-being of Ohio children and their families, and coordinated around the vision of “enabling every child to succeed.” They have developed six commitments to child well-being: expectant parents and
newborns thrive; infants and toddlers thrive; children are ready for school; children and youth succeed in school; youth choose healthy behaviors; and youth successfully transition into adulthood.
Useful Website: http://www.ohiofcf.org/
Ohio Healthchek
Ohio's Medicaid EPSDT (Early Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment) program, covering children under age 21, that periodically screens eligible Medicaid children for health problems.
(Program & Initiative)
Useful Website: http://www.healthpolicyohio.org/pdf/OhioMedicaidBasics2005.pdf
Ohio Homecare Waiver
A service and assistant program of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) designed to meet the homecare needs of consumers whose medical condition and/or functional abilities would qualify them for Medicaid coverage in a nursing home or hospital. They provide core services of nursing, daily living, and skilled therapies.
Useful Website: http://jfs.ohio.gov/Ohp/ohc/ohc.stm
Ohio Proficiency Exams
These exams serve as a statewide assessment of the academic achievement of Ohio students. Ohio students must pass the ninth grade proficiency test before graduating from high school. Proficiency tests are also administered to Ohio students in the fourth and sixth grades. Other statewide exams include the High School Graduation Tests, the Alternate Assessment for Students with Disabilities Test, and various achievement tests for most grade levels. Information from tests is used to compare schools, analyze individual students, and find ways to improve the quality of education in Ohio.
Useful Website: http://www.ode.state.oh.us/proficiency/
Ohio Rules of Juvenile Procedure
Sets rules for how the court and juvenile justice system should operate. Work in conjunction with the Ohio Revised Code (ORC).
Ohio Scales
These three scales, including the Ohio Youth Problems, Functioning, and Satisfaction Scales, have three forms: one for parent/caretaker completion, one for the youth (12+), and one for the youth’s agency worker/case manager. The youth version is designed for ages 12-18, and the parent and agency worker versions are designed for youth ages 5-18. Areas assessed include the severity of the youth’s problem, the level of functioning of the youth, overall hopefulness regarding the ability to effectively parent the youth, and overall satisfaction and understanding of mental health services provided to the youth.
Useful Website: http://www.scchildren.com/ohio_scales.htm
OHSAI (Ohio Head Start Association, Inc.)
The membership organization for all Head Start programs in the state of Ohio. OHSAI provides training and technical assistance for Head Start by offering support for professional development of administrators, staff, and parents through high quality training in all areas of program operations, personal growth, and professional growth. OHSAI also provides extensive leadership training for Head Start program managers, staff, and advocates on the State and National levels on behalf of Head Start programs and families.
Useful Website: http://www.ohsai.org/
OJJDP (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention)
OJJDP supports state and local efforts to respond to and prevent juvenile delinquency and victimization through leadership, system coordination and financial support (through federal grant-making). Their website offers a comprehensive resource of current research and best practice with links to numerous fact sheets and publications, as well as a listing of available programs and state advisory group (SAG) contacts.
Useful Website: http://www.ojjdp.ncjrs.org
ORC (Ohio Revised Code)
The state law that governs Ohio contains state statutes and works in conjunction with the Ohio Rules of Juvenile Court.
ORSC (Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission)
ORSC helps people with disabilities become employed and independent. They also offer a variety of services to Ohio businesses, resulting in quality jobs for individuals who have disabilities. ORSC works with teenagers over the age of 16 with their transition plan to work.
Useful Website: http://www.rsc.ohio.gov/
Outcome Measurements
The purposes of United Way’s outcome measurement process are to 1) improve the human services delivery system in the Greater Cleveland area; 2) provide a management tool for local not-for-profit human services organizations to be used to improve program effectiveness; 3) provide an additional information source for internal use by United Way as part of its fund distribution process; and 4) provide stewardship of the resources made available by donors to assist consumers. Agency staff members administering programs funded by United Way have been trained on the outcome measurement process and are required to conduct and report outcome measurement annually. Reporting to United Way will follow procedures developed by the Outcome Measurement Committee and approved by the Community Investment Committee.
Outcomes
The end result(s) or consequence(s). In the case of child services and programs, desired outcomes typically involve optimal health and functioning of the child and safe secure environments in which the child can safely develop. Outcomes may also be statements of changes family members want to see for their child or themselves that is documented.
Outcome-based
A method used by many organizations concerned with children’s issues that involves determining where the organization is and where they want to be, and then working backwards to determine the best method to achieve their goals. This method allows organizations to decide how those involved (parents, children, counselors, etc.) can be held accountable for reaching their goal. Similar to Evidence-based Practice
