1999 Early Education and Care Assessment

APPENDIX: GLOSSARY OF ACRONYMS AND TERMS

ACC - Austin Community College

CAN - Community Action Network

CAWDB - Capital Area Workforce Development Board

CCMS - Central Texas Child Care Management Services

HIPPY - Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youngsters

ISD - Independent School District¹

NAEYC - National Association for Education of Young Children

TANF - Temporary Aid for Needy Families

TDPRS - Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services

Accredited Centers Child care centers that meet quality standards of the National Association for Education of Young Children.

 

Attachment Theory Theory relating to early development that suggests that interactions between children and their caregivers provide a framework for interpersonal relationships in the future.

 

BABAR The Before and After Books And Reading survey developed by the Boston Medical Center to determine the level of reading activities between parents and children.

 

Best Practice Programs, services, or processes that research or expert opinion has shown to be effective through measurable, demonstrated results.

 

Case Management The provision of a client-centered approach in the delivery of services, designed-- (A) to prepare and coordinate comprehensive employment plans, such as service strategies, for participants to ensure access to necessary workforce investment activities and supportive services, using, where feasible, computer-based technologies; and (B) to provide job and career counseling during program participation and after job placement.

 

Community-Based A private nonprofit organization that is Organization representative of a community or a significant segment of a community and that has demonstrated expertise and effectiveness in the field of workforce investment.

 

Designated Vendors Child care centers that meet the quality standards of Centex Child Care Management Services. This designation indicates centers that exceed minimum standards for caregiver staff qualifications, staff orientation and in-service training, group size, activities, caregiver-child interaction, physical environment, health and safety, nutrition, and parental involvement. Programs must apply for three possible levels of vendor status.

 

Economically Disadvantaged Students are considered economically disadvantaged when they qualify for reduced price or free meals. According to the USDA, the eligibility for reduced price meals is 185% of poverty and for free meals, 130% of poverty.

 

Eligibility The meeting of specific qualifications to receive certain benefits; the criteria used by public assistance programs to determine which people may receive help.

 

Neuroscience The study of the brain and its functions.

 

Outcomes Specific, measurable desired changes in conditions resulting from strategies.

 

Poverty 1999 Federal Poverty Guidelines, developed by the United States Health and Human Services Department, define the poverty level for a family of four at $16,700 per year.

 

Prenatal Care Pregnancy-related health care services provided to a woman between conception and delivery. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends at least 13 prenatal visits in a normal 9 month pregnancy; one each month for the first 28 weeks of pregnancy, one every 2 weeks until 36 weeks, and then weekly until delivery.

 

Registered Family Homes Child care providers that are registered with the State of Texas and are limited to provision of care for 6 or fewer preschool children in addition to 6 school aged children after school.

 

State-Licensed Centers Child care centers that meet the minimum standards of the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services.

 

TANF Temporary Assistance for Needy Families is a financial assistance program administered by the Texas Department of Human Services. TANF recipients receive financial assistance and supportive services to assist in obtaining self-sufficiency.

 

Teacher T.R.A.C. Teacher Training, Retention, and Compensation is a recruiting program to provide incentives to workers in the child care field.

 

Teen Parent Any parent who is 19 years or younger at the birth of his/her child.

 

Texas Workforce Services Texas through 28 employment programs and Commission services. Provides assistance with unemployment insurance, employment listings, job placement, skill and aptitude testing, employment counseling, support services, and referrals to education and training programs.

 

Welfare to Work Welfare reform program design that stresses employment for able-bodied adults.

1 The following Travis County Independent School Districts were included in the assessment: Austin, Del Valle, Eanes, Lago Vista, Lake Travis, Manor, and Pflugerville. In addition, Round Rock was included due to some Travis County residents sending their children to Round Rock schools.