Terminology R - S
From Voices for Ohio's Children
Reasonable Doubt
Doubt that would cause a person to hesitate before acting in matters of importance to themselves.
Release Authority
The department of the Department of Youth Services (DYS) that makes decisions regarding a child’s release.
Reliability
The ability of a test to be consistent multiple times with members of the same population, with numerous test administrators, or with other versions of the tool.
Residential Treatment
A 24-hour group living facility which provides room and board and makes arrangements for specialized treatment, rehabilitation, or habilitation services for children with emotional, psychological, developmental, or behavioral dysfunctions, impairments, and/or chemical dependencies. Children may also be assisted in acquiring the social and behavioral skills necessary for living, independently or otherwise, in the community.
Residential Treatment Facility
A residence identified by the licensing agency as a residential treatment facility which provides a structured environment and an intensive level of care services for eleven or more children. These facilities are generally for youth with mental health disorders, and are designed for short term care rather than long-term, custodial care.
Respite
Temporary babysitting, supervised care, or other directed activity provided by an authorized person to assist an Enrollee and/or their family, relative, or foster family in adjusting to placement, developing new social skills, or dealing with stress. Services may also be provided at a community center. Desired outcomes/goals include preventing placement or family disruptions and maintaining placements.
Respite Care
When a family maintains custody or youth are placed in a family setting (not inpatient or congregate care) which is short-term lasting no more than seven days.
Risk Factors
Conditions that increase the likelihood of youth dropping out of school and/or becoming involved in substance abuse, delinquency, teen pregnancy, and/or violence.
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association)
Created to focus attention, programs, and funding on improving the lives of people with or at risk for mental and substance abuse disorders. They operate in collaboration with the states, national and local community-based and faith-based organizations, and public and private sector providers, working to ensure that people with or at risk for a mental or addictive disorder have the opportunity for a fulfilling life that includes a job, a home, and meaningful relationships with family and friends.
Useful Website: http://www.samhsa.gov/about/background.aspx
SC (Sing Connections)
A four-year project to create community centered strategies for family, friend, and neighbor care to meet the needs of working parents, their children, and employers. The project plans to expand knowledge about childcare provided by family, friend, and neighbor caregivers, to connect employers and caregivers to useful community resources, and to encourage employers, families, communities, funders, and policymakers throughout the nation to share what they learn with one another.
Useful Website: http://www.finebynine.org/pdf/SECPTAN_Multisite_10_04.pdf
School Readiness Solutions Group
Has been directed to create a compelling road map that, when followed, will create a system that focuses on results and ensures that any child has access to high-quality early learning opportunities. They will provide the State Board of Education with a clear vision and a strategic plan of action for school readiness that (1) addresses the roles and relationships among parents and families, schools, employers, community-based organizations, civic leaders, and the State of Ohio, and (2) that meets the early learning needs of children from birth through kindergarten. Their final report will be completed in June of 2006.
Useful Website: http://www.schoolreadiness.ohio.gov/
Scorecard
A United Way document used to measure the organization’s progress against its Strategic Plan. Presented to the Board of Directors or Executive Committee quarterly, the Scorecard provides leadership with quantifiable data to indicate how well the organization is meeting strategic goals.
Screening
Standardized tool used to determine if a child needs further evaluation to assess a delay or disability. Screening is never used to determine if the child has a disability and can be repeated at various times under age three to show progress and/or identify possible areas of concern.
Sealed
A sealed record is separated from the youth’s main file and is made accessible only to the juvenile court. All other courts that have a copy of this record must destroy it.
SECCS (State Early Childhood Comprehensive System Grant)
Grants given to support the planning, development, and ultimate implementation of collaborations and partnerships that support families and communities in the development of healthy children who are well prepared to enter school.
Useful Website: http://128.248.232.90/archives/mchb/leaders2002/ppt/stubbs/sld001.htm
Sensitivity
The ability of a screen to correctly identify children in need of further assessment.
SERRC (Special Educational Regional Resource Center)
Assists educators and families in developing and delivering instruction that follows Ohio’s academic content standards for children and youth with disabilities. Furthermore, the SERRC ensures full participation of children and youth with disabilities in school communities by assisting school districts and agencies in complying with federal and state laws and regulations. Services include autism spectrum disorders consultants, behavior management consultants, early childhood intervention specialists, and talented and gifted coordinators, to name a few.
Useful Website: http://www.seo-serrc.org/
Service Coordination
An active on-going process that involves: (1) Assisting parents of eligible children in gaining access to services provided by the IFSP (Individual Family Service Plan); (2) Coordinating services that the child needs or is being provided; (3) Facilitating the timely delivery of available services; (4) Continuously seeking the appropriate services and situations necessary to benefit the development of each child being served for the duration of the child’s eligibility.
Service Coordinator
Individual who is responsible under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) for: coordinating the development and implementation of the IFSP; coordinating and monitoring service delivery; informing the family of advocacy services; coordinating with medical and health providers and facilitating the development of transition planning.
Service Provider
Individual trained to support the family by sharing their knowledge and expertise in response to an outcome.
SESS (Starting Early Starting Strong)
This initiative, created by Pew Charitable Trusts, is a grant-making program that encourages the creation and implementation of sound, research-based policies that support access to high-quality, early education for children age 3 and above. The initiative is underway in several states in order to show how a high-quality pre-kindergarten program can be implemented.
Useful Website: http://www.finebynine.org/pdf/SECPTAN_Multisite_10_04.pdf
Sheltercare Hearing
See Detention Hearing (Above)
Shrinkage
Term used to describe the carefully estimated allowance for uncollectible United Way pledges. A Company closing or relocation, job termination or death usually causes uncollectibles. Collectible trends and economic forecasts are factored into each year's estimate. United Way's current shrinkage estimate is 6.1%, meaning we anticipate being able to collect 93.9% of our pledges. Collections above this amount are used to strengthen reserves and add additional dollars to the fund distribution process by a formula authorized by the Board of Directors.
SMCHECCS (State Maternal and Child Health Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Grant Program)
This grant program seeks to reduce infant mortality and improve the health of mothers and children. The grants are designed to operationalize strategic plans for early childhood health, and include five components: access to health insurance and medical homes, mental health and social-emotional development, early care and education, parent education, and family support.
Useful Website: http://www.finebynine.org/pdf/SECPTAN_Multisite_10_04.pdf
Social Indicators
A major research effort jointly conducted by United Way of Greater Cleveland and the Center for Community Solutions, formerly the Federation for Community Planning, designed to provide health and social service providers and community leaders with accessible, easily understood information for program planning and resources targeting. The data in the reports provides valuable information on a variety of social, health, education, employment and housing factors of the population by neighborhoods in the city of Cleveland and suburban communities in Cuyahoga County. The first six-volume report, entitled Social Indicators 2001, was completed in late 2001 with regular volume updates continuing to provide on-going tracking capability. The draft reports provided the basis for planning and recommendations of the Community Vision Council initiative.
Social Worker (MSW)
Social workers help people function the best way they can in their environment, deal with their relationships, and solve personal and family problems. Social workers often see clients who face a life-threatening disease or a social problem, such as inadequate housing, unemployment, a serious illness, a disability, or substance abuse. Social workers also assist families that have serious domestic conflicts, sometimes involving child or spousal abuse.
SPARK
SPARK is a national initiative, involving partnerships of communities, state agencies, and schools, that supports five-year implementation plans to smooth the transition of children in to school and align preschool and elementary school settings. SPARK’s implementation plan combines ready children (equipped with the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills for learning success) with ready schools (those prepared to meet all comprehensive learning needs of children that will involve families and communities) in an effort to provide quality early learning experiences required for later scholastic achievement.
Useful Website: http://www.wkkf.org/default.aspx?tabid=75&CID=168&NID=61&LanguageID=0
Specificity
The ability of a screen to accurately exclude children who do not need further assessment.
SRC (School Readiness Connections)
A four-year project aimed at providing face-to-face and distance learning professional development opportunities for communities that have identified school readiness and other early childhood issues as funding priorities. The project encourages cross-community learning and interaction on topics such as advocacy, communications, early literacy, child social/emotional competence, ethnically diverse relationships, and early childhood program improvement.
Useful Website: http://www.finebynine.org/pdf/SECPTAN_Multisite_10_04.pdf
SSNTACGP (Smart Start National Technical Assistance Center Grants Program)
Provides targeted services to communities and states working to develop/implement community-based early childhood initiatives through foundation funding. The SSNTA Center provides technical assistance grants to communities and states in order to fund their participation in this technical assistance program.
Useful Website: http://www.finebynine.org/pdf/SECPTAN_Multisite_10_04.pdf
SSRS (Social Skills Rating System)
This rating system is a standardized series of questionnaires that obtains information about the social behaviors of children from the children themselves, parents, and teachers. The rating system allows for a broad evaluation of social behaviors including those that affect student-teacher relationships, peer acceptance, and performance in school. The scale is used to detect problems in behavior and interpersonal interactions, and decide which behaviors beg intervention and/or quick and appropriate treatment.
Useful Website: http://www.agsnet.com/group.asp?nGroupInfoID=a3400
Standardized Sample
The population on whom a tool was tested.
Statistical Significance
If something is statistically significant, it is probably true, but not necessarily highly important or of high decision-making utility. When dealing with children’s issues, statistical significance should be considered, but not relied heavily upon when making decisions that will affect children.
Useful Website: http://www.statpac.com/surveys/statistical-significance.htm
Status Offense
An offense that is illegal when done by a juvenile, but not a crime for an adult (for example truancy or running away).
Step Up To Quality
Step Up To Quality is a voluntary Three-Star Quality Rating System now being piloted in select early childhood programs licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Step Up To Quality recognizes and promotes early care and education programs that meet quality benchmarks over and above minimum health and safety licensing standards.
Useful Website: http://www.occrra.org/stepup.htm
Subpoena
Order of the court requiring a person to appear at a certain date and time. Also an order for someone to make records or documents available to the court.
Substance Abuse
The condition caused by regular excessive compulsive drinking of alcohol, and/or physical habitual dependence on drugs, that results in a chronic disorder affecting physical health and/or personal or social functioning. This does not include dependence on tobacco and ordinary caffeine-containing drinks.
Superintendent
A person who has the authority to supervise or direct. Normally the highest ranking official within a company or organization.
Supported Living
Services to assist an Enrollee which allow the individual to live in a more mainstream, community-based environment (such as an apartment), as opposed to an institutional setting.
SYO (Serious Youth Offender)
A juvenile qualifying as a "serious youthful offender” may be tried in juvenile court and at disposition is sentenced to both a traditional juvenile disposition and an adult sentence, with the adult sentence stayed pending successful completion of the juvenile sentence. If the juvenile sentence is not successfully completed, the adult sentence will be imposed.
