Common Acronyms Guide
AE – Administrative Entity
ADL- Activities of Daily Living
ARU - Annual Review Update
AWC - Agency with Choice
BAS – Bureau of Autism Services
BHA – Bureau of Hearings and Appeals
CLA – Community Living Arrangement
CMS – Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (Federal Agency formerly known as the Health Care Financing Administration, or HCFA)
CR- Critical Revision
DCW - Direct Care Worker
DLP – Disability Law Project
DHS– (PA) Department of Human Services (ODP is part of DHS)
DRP – Disability Rights Pennsylvania
DSP - Direct Support Professional
EA - Employer Agent
ELC – Education Law Center
ELP – Essential Lifestyle Planning
EPSDT – Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment
FDSS – Family Driven Support Services
FMS – Financial Management Services
GU - General Update
HCQU – Health Care Quality Unit
HCSIS – Home and Community Services Information Systems
ICF/ID – Intermediate Care Facility for Persons with Intellectual Disability
ID - Intellectual Disability
IM4Q – Independent Monitoring for Quality
ISO – Intermediary Service Organization
ISP – Individual Support Plan
MA – Medical Assistance
MAWD – Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities
ODP – (PA) Office of Developmental Programs
OVR – Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
PAWL – PA Waiting List Campaign
PCP – Person Centered Planning
P/FDS – Person/Family Directed Support Waiver
PUNS – Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services
RPM – Regional Program Manager
SB - Supports Broker
SC – Supports Coordinator (formerly called a Case Manager)
SIS (SIS-PA+) – Supports Intensity Scale and PA Plus (PA+)
SSA – Social Security Administration
SSDI - Social Security Disability Insurance
SSI - Supplemental Security Income
SSD – Services and Supports Directory
SSW - Service Support Worker
SSP - Service Support Professional
VF/EA - Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent (PALCO)