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501(C)(3) ORGANIZATIONS:
The tax status granted by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service to signify a type of nonprofit public interest or public service organization. Many programs seeking recognition under these standards may be part of organizations classified as 501(c)(3) organizations, which indicates that they are tax exempt.
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ACCOUNTABILITY:
The extent to which a program is answerable to a variety of relevant stakeholders including: children and youth, families, community representatives, people or entities providing oversight, and governmental regulators.
ACCREDITATION:
The formal evaluation of a program or organization against accepted criteria or standards. A professional society, non-governmental organization, or governmental agency may conduct accreditation activities. A COA-accredited program or organization has undergone a period of rigorous self-study and is capable of providing programs and services that meet or exceed COA standards.
ADMINISTER:
The act of giving a single dose of a prescribed drug by an authorized person in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations governing such acts. The complete act entails removing an individual dose from a previously dispensed, properly labeled container (including a unit dose container), verifying it with a physician’s order, giving the individual dose to the proper person, and recording the time and dose given.
ADVANCED DEGREE:
A degree at the Master’s level or beyond from an institution of higher education. An advanced degree does not include a Bachelor’s degree, an associate’s degree, or an educational certificate.
ADVISORY GROUP:
A group of individuals who possess unique skills and/or knowledge and whose role is to make recommendations, provide information, and/or share input from stakeholders. Advisory groups do not have formal governance authority or responsibilities. Advisory groups can be ongoing or ad hoc. Members of the group may be selected by the program, the management of the organization or which the program is a part, or the governing body of the organization of which the program is a part.
ADVOCACY:
An act performed with or on behalf of others through direct intervention, empowerment, or representation.
APPROPRIATENESS:
The degree to which a particular activity, service, or environment is: best suited to an individual’s needs; not restrictive, intrusive, or excessive; and anticipated to be effective in promoting desired outcomes.
ARCHITECTURAL BARRIER:
A physical impediment to the use of a facility by persons with physical disabilities including stairs, inaccessible toilet facilities, or other factors that restrict use.
ASSESS:
Evaluate by using expertise and skills to understand and describe the nature of strengths, needs, and other factors. Assessments may be conducted in order to determine the strengths and needs of individuals, or to determine the special service needs of a defined special population within the program. Assessments may also be conducted on a program-wide level, in order to determine priorities of program planning and service development for the program as a whole.
ASSISTANT GROUP LEADER:
Person responsible for supervision and guidance of children under the direct supervision of Group Leader. COA recognizes that job titles and responsibilities may vary from program to program. See the ASP-HR Related File “Personnel Qualifications and Responsibilities” for more information.
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY:
The commercial or custom-designed devices, modifications, accommodation strategies, and/or related technical services that help persons with disabilities increase, maintain, or improve their functional capabilities.
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BACKGROUND CHECK:
The review of an individual’s personal information typically performed by or at the request of an employer, which may include verification of educational credentials or employment experience, as well as an examination of the individual’s criminal records, driving records, licensing records, and civil abuse or neglect history.
BEHAVIOR SUPPORT AND MANAGEMENT:
The use of specialized interventions to support, guide, control, and redirect behaviors.
BYLAWS:
The operating procedures developed by a governing body and adopted by an organization for the regulation of its internal affairs, including the actions of the governing body and its relationship to the organization's chief executive officer and any advisory group associated with the organization.
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CERTIFICATION:
Assurance from a state or professional association that a person or organization possesses certain attributes, knowledge, or skills.
CHEMICAL RESTRAINT:
The use of a psychopharmacological drug as a restraint to control behavior or restrict freedom of movement that is not a standard treatment for the person's medical or psychiatric condition.
CODE OF ETHICS:
An explicit, written statement of values, principles, and operating rules that regulates conduct.
COMMUNITY:
The area where the program is located (i.e., the neighborhood, city, town, or county). The term may also refer to a group of people who are defined by and/or share a common culture, values, norms, language, race, religion, ethnicity, age, occupation, political status, tribal affiliation, interest in particular problems or outcomes, or other common bonds. Often, many smaller communities coexist within a city or town.
COMPLAINT:
An expression of verbal or written dissatisfaction that can include, but is not limited to, services, manner of treatment, outcomes, or experiences. For employees or volunteers, dissatisfaction can include personnel matters such as supervision, evaluations, promotions or demotions, the work environment, and overall treatment. The term is synonymously used with GRIEVANCE.
CONFIDENTIALITY:
An ethical and practice principle that requires the protection of information shared within a professional-client relationship. A program or organization that upholds confidentiality prohibits personnel from disclosing information about program participants without their written consent.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST:
A conflict between an individual self-interest and the public good. Example: a program awards a food services contract to a local restaurant that is owned by a governing body or advisory group member. From a legal standpoint, “conflict of interest” is a term used in connection with fiduciaries and their relationship to matters of private interest or gain to them. When used to suggest disqualification of a fiduciary from performing his or her sworn duty, the term refers to a clash between public interest and private pecuniary interest of the concerned individual.
CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT:
A comprehensive, ongoing system that incorporates intensive stakeholder involvement, data collection and analysis, information sharing, and corrective action in order to improve the functioning of a program.
CONTRACT:
A formal written agreement between two or more parties that specifies the services, space, or products to be provided in exchange for some form of compensation. Also known as “purchase of service arrangement."
COURSES IN ADMINISTRATION:
This includes courses in areas including, but not limited to: Human Resources Management, Fiscal Management, Organizational Development, Strategic Planning, Marketing, and Community Development. See the ASP-HR Related File “Personnel Qualifications and Responsibilities” for more information.
COURSES IN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING:
This includes courses in areas including, but not limited to: Health and Safety, Developmentally Appropriate Practices, Group or Individual Guidance, Community Service and Service Learning, Working with Families, Community Outreach, and Planning Activities. See the ASP-HR Related File “Personnel Qualifications and Responsibilities” for more information.
COURSES IN CHILD AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT:
This includes courses that focus on development during middle childhood and adolescence. See the ASP-HR Related File “Personnel Qualifications and Responsibilities” for more information.
CREDIT HOURS:
These are credits for post-secondary coursework. They may be earned through college classes, or as part of a post secondary technical/vocational certificate program. Each credit represents approximately 15 hours of participation in a course. See the ASP-HR Related File “Personnel Qualifications and Responsibilities” for more information.
CRITERIA:
Systematically developed, objective, and quantifiable statements used to assess the appropriateness of specific activities, services, decisions, and outcomes.
CULTURAL COMPETENCE:

The degree to which a program modifies or tailors activities, services, and other aspects of programming to the ethnic, racial, cultural, religious, linguistic, and national diversity in its service population. Such tailoring includes activity planning and implementation; relationship development; personnel selection, training and development; and program evaluation. Sometimes referred to as “cultural sensitivity” or “cultural responsiveness".


Personnel should try to learn more about different cultural styles and backgrounds, so they can respond to differences in appropriate ways. A culturally responsive program will seek to involve and include individuals and families of different cultures at all levels: in day-to-day discussion, in developing policies and procedures, and in planning events and activities that represent various languages and cultural traditions. A program implements culturally appropriate practices when children and youth are given a chance to learn about, appreciate, and respect cultural similarities and differences.

CULTURE:
The customs, traditions, habits, values, skills, technology, beliefs, and religious, social, and political behaviors of a group of people.
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DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY:
A condition in which a child has an ongoing, major delay in the achievement of one or more developmental milestones in the areas of language, cognitive, motor, and/or and social skills. A doctor usually diagnoses a developmental delay based on strict guidelines.
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY:
A severe, chronic impairment, attributable to a mental and/or physical impairment that manifests before adulthood and is likely to indefinitely continue, and that creates substantial functional limitations in the areas of major life activity: self care, language, learning, mobility, self-direction, potential for independent living, and potential for economic self-sufficiency as an adult. A developmental disability reflects a person’s need for special, interdisciplinary or generic care, treatment, or other services on a life-long or extended basis.
DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE PRACTICES:
Program methods and goals that respond to the ages, developmental stages, and individual differences of children and youth. Interests and abilities change as children grow and mature, and research suggests that these changes usually occur within a series of predictable stages. These changes often affect the social, physical, emotional, and intellectual needs of children and youth.
DUE DILIGENCE:
Performance of a process or review with the measure of prudence, activity, or assiduity properly expected from and ordinarily exercised by a reasonable person under particular circumstances. Due diligence is not measured by any absolute standard, but depends on the relative facts of a special case or situation.
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ELIGIBILITY:
The degree to which a child or youth, family, group, or community meets the specific criteria and qualifications required to participate in the program or receive goods, benefits, or services.
EMPLOYEE:
Paid member of a program or organization.
EMPOWERMENT:
The process of helping individuals to increase their personal, interpersonal, political, social, and/or economic strength or position and develop influence that may impact their circumstances.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICY:
A written statement that describes the program's or organization's commitment to ensuring all current and prospective employees are afforded equal employment opportunities.
ETHICS:
Formal principles or values used to determine whether practices are right or wrong, good or bad. An ethical code may define general standards of appropriate professional conduct.
ETHNICITY:
An orientation toward and identification with a population group that shares national origin, religion, race, or language.
EVALUATION:
The review and assessment of program activities, services, and operations.
EXPENDITURE:
A payment or obligation to pay for some products or services received, which is typically planned for through the annual budget process as a specific anticipated operating expense.
EXPERIENCE:
In the context of human resources, related experience includes work with school-age children or youth in a recreational, fine arts, camping, or academic setting. One year experience means full time (2,080 hours of work). The total number of hours can be from a combination of positions. See the ASP-HR Related File “Personnel Qualifications and Responsibilities” for more information.
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FAMILY:
Two or more people who consider themselves family and who assume obligations, functions, and responsibilities generally essential to healthy family life. Child care, child socialization, income support, and other aspects of caregiving are among the functions of family life. There are a number of types of families, and the definition of “family” will rest with an individual’s indication of who plays a family member role. For example, families may include children, youth and adults living in the home; adults who are responsible for the care and well-being of children and youth; parents who may not live in the same household as the children and youth; current or former foster families; adoptive families; extended family members; and legal guardians. Programs that believe family attachments are of primary importance for human development will strive to work with staff to develop a common understanding of “family.” Successful providers recognize and value a child or youth’s definition of “family", even if it is different from the provider’s experience.
FEE FOR SERVICE:
A charge made to children, youth, families, or those responsible as their fiscal intermediaries, for a specific service.
FINANCIAL AUDIT:
An independent review by a certified public accountant to certify that an organization’s financial report fairly and accurately reflects its financial status according to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
FINANCIAL PLAN:
A plan that addresses how a program or organization will meet its financial goals, including those goals and objectives established in long- and short-term plans. The financial plan is distinct from the annual budget and should speak to how the program or organization will identify possible funding sources, address potential financial risks, and fund future expansion, if applicable. The financial plan should not include a detailed list of funding sources and expenses, as these items would be included in the annual budget.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT REVIEW:
A service provided by a certified public accountant, in accordance with accounting review standards, that provides some assurance to an organization’s board of directors and other interested parties as to the reliability of financial data and the conformity of such data to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. A review is based on representations made by management and is of a much more limited scope than an audit, which requires the gathering of audit evidence and an appraisal of internal control.
FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION:
An organization that is intended to make a financial profit. These organizations may provide services similar to those offered by not-for-profit organizations, except that the charges to program participants may be higher and/or established on bases different than the rate-setting criteria employed by not-for-profit organizations.
FOSTER PARENTS:
State- or county-licensed adults who provide a temporary home for children whose birth parents are unable to care for them.
FULL-TIME PERSONNEL:
In this field, personnel who work 32 to 40 hours per week are generally considered full-time employees.
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GOVERNING BODY:
A person or persons with the legal authority and responsibility to set policy and oversee the operations of an organization. Generally, the governing body is a group, such as a board of directors or board of trustees. While the exact responsibilities of the governing body depend on the nature and character of the organization, the governing body has minimum fiduciary responsibilities to the organization set by statute, regulation, and case law, and typically assumes responsibilities for long term planning, risk management, and evaluation and effectiveness of management.
GRIEVANCE:
See COMPLAINT
GROUP LEADER:
Person responsible for supervision and guidance of children in the program, usually under the direction of a Senior Group Leader. Responsibilities include program planning, communicating with families, supervising support staff, and relating to the community. COA recognizes that job titles and responsibilities may vary from program to program. See the ASP-HR Related File “Personnel Qualifications and Responsibilities” for more information.
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HAZARDOUS MATERIALS:
Materials or their residue exposure to which can result in immediate or gradual illness or death.
HIGH-RISK ACTIVITIES:
Activities, interventions, and procedures that interfere with a child's or youth's right to self-determination; involve risks about which children, youth, and families should be informed; or have the potential for harm to children, youth, families, the community, or the program.
HUMAN RESOURCES:
A department or service that is responsible for recruiting, hiring, and retaining personnel and monitoring the regulations and services applicable to a particular organization or program.
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IMMIGRANT:
An individual not born in the United States, Puerto Rico, or an outlying US territory, who migrates from his/her country of nationality or any country in which he/she last habitually resided and chooses to seek a better economic, social or religious life abroad. Immigrants and children of immigrants can be: (1) citizens, (2) Legal Permanent Residents (a step toward naturalization as a US citizen), or (3) non-citizens (either legal or undocumented without legal status).
IMPAIRMENT:
A loss or abnormality in physiological, psychological, or mental structure or functioning, such as paralysis of a limb, mental retardation, or blindness.
IN-SERVICE TRAINING:
Educational programs provided by a program or organization to help personnel become more knowledgeable, skilled, and effective in accomplishing specific tasks or meeting overall objectives. Such training often occurs on the job and for short time periods.
INCIDENT REPORT:
A document describing a high risk event or an event at variance with policy, procedure, practice, or usual experience.
INDEMNIFICATION:
Protection for directors, officers, board members, personnel, and volunteers against any civil or criminal action, suit, or proceeding resulting from their activities with the program or organization. Indemnification should include all reasonable expenses, including legal fees, except when it is determined that the person is liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his or her duties. Organizations generally will have an indemnification clause in their bylaws, whether or not external insurance coverage has been purchased to cover such risks as may be involved.
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR:
An independently employed individual who contracts with a program or organization to do a piece of work according to his/her own methods and is subject to an employer’s control only as to end product or final result of the work, not as to the means whereby it is to be accomplished.
INDIAN CHILD:
As defined in the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) “Any unmarried person who is under age eighteen and is either (a) a member of an Indian tribe or (b) eligible for membership in an Indian tribe and is the biological child of a member of an Indian tribe.” For purposes of compliance with ICWA, the definition provided in the Act shall apply. For purposes of access to services and resources, other more inclusive definitions may apply (e.g. Indian Education Act, tribal definitions, etc.).
INDIAN CHILD’S TRIBE:
As defined the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), “The Indian tribe in which a child is a member or is eligible for membership or in the case of an Indian child who is a member or eligible for membership in more than one tribe, the Indian tribe with which the Indian child has more significant contacts.”
INDIAN ORGANIZATION:
As defined in the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), “Any group, association, partnership, cooperation, or other legal entity owned or controlled by Indians, or a majority of whose members areIndians.”
The explicit granting of permission by a child or youth and/or his/her legal guardian. The consent is predicated on full disclosure of the facts to facilitate decision-making based on knowledge of the risks and alternatives.
ISOLATION:
The practice of separating a person from others and placing him/her in a monitored, non-locked or “quiet” room in order to calm him/her. A person in isolation is physically prevented from leaving the designated space or room where s/he is placed. For purposes of COA accreditation, isolation is distinguished from TIME-OUT.
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JOB DESCRIPTION:
Explicit obligations and specific tasks required of personnel as a condition of employment. Such descriptions are in writing and may include educational, experiential, and skill requirements associated with the job.
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In the case of a minor child or youth, a guardian is charged with the legal responsibility for the care and management of the child or youth and his/her estate.
LIABILITY:
An obligation, responsibility, or debt.
LOCKED SECLUSION:
The practice of placing a person in a locked room to prevent harm to self and others.
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MAJOR LANGUAGE GROUP:
The presence of a substantial core of people who share a language.
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM:
An administrative method used to gather, process, analyze, maintain, and disseminate data required for effectively carrying out the goals of the program or organization.
MANAGEMENT LETTER:
A letter addressed to an organization containing an auditor’s conclusions regarding the organization’s accounting policies and procedures, internal controls, and operating policies. The letter evaluates the organization’s present system, identifies problems, and recommends improvements. It is also referred to as a Letter of Recommendation.
MANDATORY REPORTING:
The legal obligation to report specific forms of child abuse to a government authority when a person suspects that abuse has occurred. State laws outline specific reporting requirements for professionals if they have information related to public or private safety issues. For example, certain professionals are required to report to state authorities if they see evidence of child abuse or neglect, or have knowledge that someone is likely to be dangerous to themselves or others.
MANUAL RESTRAINT:
The practice of physically holding a person’s arms, legs, or head to prevent harm to self and others.
MECHANICAL RESTRAINT:
The use of any physical device to limit movement and prevent harm to self or others, not including devices such as prescribed orthopedic devices, surgical dressings or bandages, protective helmets, or any other methods that involve physical holding of a child for the purpose of conducting routine physical examinations, conducting tests, or permitting the child to participate in activities without the risk of physical harm.
MEDICATION:
A prescribed or over-the-counter drug that is injected, taken orally, applied topically, or otherwise administered.
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NON-EXEMPT EMPLOYEE:
Employees subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act based on duties performed and manner of compensation. Non-exempt employees must account for hours and fractional hours worked, are guaranteed at least minimum wage compensation, and are compensated for overtime hours at the premium, time-and-one-half, rate.
NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS:
According to law, a not-for-profit organization is formed for a charitable or benevolent purpose rather than for making a profit. Not-for-profit organizations are generally organized under special statutes for this purpose and are often afforded special tax treatment. Such organizations must be incorporated in the state in which they operate and must have a charter, constitution, or bylaws or be a part of a religious body with separate legal status. As used in these standards, a not-for-profit organization is a private, voluntary social agency funded from a variety of sources, such as fees-for-service, third parties, public contributions, philanthropic contributions, and government grants and contracts. Also called voluntary or non-profit organizations. See also 501(c)(3) ORGANIZATION.
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OPINION LETTER:
The written findings of an auditor set forth upon the completion of an audit which outlines the fairness of the organization’s representation of its financial positions reflected in financial statements and details the consistent use of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles to record underlying transactions and prepare financial statements.
OUTCOME EVALUATION:
A process to determine if a program is achieving its objectives, and whether the results can be attributed to the program. Outcome evaluations range from rigorous experimental designs employing pre- and post- measurements to more subjective judgments made by program participants and personnel or other providers.
OUTREACH:
Contact with children, youth, families, community members, community institutions, and others that is initiated in order to: provide information about the program, identify children and youth who may wish to participate in the program, and promote collaboration.
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PARENTS:
Parents can include: birth, foster, kinship, and adoptive parents.
PERSONNEL:

The people responsible for carrying out the program's tasks. For purposes of after school program recognition, the term "personnel" covers both full-time and part-time employees who work directly with children and youth, as well as program administrators and those who supervise personnel working with children and youth. Unless otherwise noted, the term “personnel” does not include accounting, facilities, clerical, or other staff not involved in the provision or oversight of direct services.


The term “personnel” also covers volunteers who perform the same duties as personnel and have a regular, ongoing role at the program. When volunteers do not perform the same duties as personnel, and do not have a regular role at the program, they do not fall under the term “personnel.”

PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT:
Activities conducted both in and out of the program to improve the ability of personnel to perform their assigned tasks, assume higher levels of responsibility, and better serve the needs of children, youth, and families.
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES:
Individuals with physical or mental impairments that result in substantial functional limitations.
PHILOSOPHY:
The theoretical framework that describes and explains the program's approach to service. It may describe the type of environment and experiences that the program hopes to create, and will likely explain how the program intends to promote the healthy development of children and youth.
PHYSICAL RESTRAINT:
According to the CWLA Best Practice Guidelines for Behavior Management, the application of physical force by one or more individuals that reduces or restricts the ability of an individual to move his or her arms, legs, or head freely. Physical restraint does not include the temporary holding of an individual to assist him or her to participate in activities of daily living.
PLANNING:
The process of specifying objectives, evaluating the means for their achievement, and exercising deliberate decision making about appropriate courses of action.
POLICY:

A written statement of principles, values, or rules intended to guide the program and provide a basis for consistent decision making. A policy is formal in nature, and intentionally broad in its language and application. The following is an example of an anti-discrimination policy: "[Organization/Program Name] shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers, selection of vendors, and provision of services.”


In contrast, a procedure is a detailed, step-by-step description of a process. Policies are generally implemented through procedures – procedures will describe the actions required to carry out and implement the principles included in the policy. For example, the above anti-discrimination policy would require a detailed grievance procedure in order to operationalize it.


Programs will not necessarily be responsible for adopting their own policies - policies need to be reviewed and approved by the person or entity providing oversight. If the program is part of a not-for-profit organization, the organization’s governing body is responsible for approving and reviewing policy. In an owner-operated for-profit, the owner can act as the governing body and set its own policy, depending on the corporate structure. In a public agency the responsibility for setting policy may belong to the agency's management team, elected officials, another governmental agency, or a combination of the above. If the program implements policies that have been developed and adopted by another body (e.g., the school board, or the governing body of the organization of which the program is a part), the program does not need to develop its own separate policies. Instead, it should provide evidence of the policies it has been given to enforce.

PRACTICE:
Established actions or ways of proceeding in the regular performance of program duties. Policies and procedures often guide practice.
PREVENTION:
Actions taken to minimize and/or eliminate social, psychological, or other conditions. Prevention can occur at the individual, group, community, and societal levels and enhances opportunities to achieve positive fulfillment.
PROCEDURES:

Written instructions that outline the steps for performing a task or operationalizing a process. A procedure can be written as a step-by-step set of instructions or as a narrative description of a process. A procedure tells someone how to do something, not just what to do.


Unlike policies, procedures do not need to be reviewed or approved by the person or entity providing oversight. They also do not need to be associated with a specific policy. For example, whereas a broad anti-discrimination policy requires grievance or other procedures in order to be operationalized, facility maintenance procedures do not require an approved facility maintenance policy.


If the program implements procedures that have been developed by another body (e.g., the school board, or the management of the organization of which the program is a part), the program does not need to develop its own separate procedures. Instead, it should provide evidence of the procedures it has been given to implement.

PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION:
This is formal post-secondary training directly related to school-age care. See the ASP-HR Related File “Personnel Qualifications and Responsibilities” for more information.
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR:
Person responsible for overall direction of the program, including developing program mission, goals, and policies, program implementation and evaluation, administration (including fiscal management), and organizational development (including management of human resources). COA recognizes that job titles and responsibilities may vary from program to program. See the ASP-HR Related File “Personnel Qualifications and Responsibilities” for more information.
PROPRIETARY ORGANIZATION:
See FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
PROTOCOLS:
Instruments and procedures used to accomplish a particular goal, activity, or purpose.
PUBLIC AGENCY:
An agency under government auspices and supported by government funding. A public agency is typically governed by a public entity (e.g., a Commission) and is set up as a voluntary organization with its own charter.
PUNITIVE WORK ASSIGNMENT:
Work assigned exclusively for punishment rather than as a shared responsibility for maintenance or duties; for example, stacking and restacking a wood pile repetitively as a punishment for breaking a rule.
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QUALITY:
The extent to which contemporary and generally recognized standards are met and exceeded, and desirable outcomes achieved.
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REFERRALS:
Resource suggestions provided to children, youth, and families to address needs or issues/problems that are beyond the scope of the program’s mission.
REFUGEES:
Those who flee their home country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution due to race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion and are unable or unwilling to return to, or avail themselves of, their home country.
In the context of human resources, this includes majors in areas including, but not limited to: early childhood education, youth studies, child development, recreation, family social sciences, and elementary education. See the ASP-HR Related File “Personnel Qualifications and Responsibilities” for more information.
REMEDIATION:
The process of correcting a problem.
RESTRICTIVE BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT INTERVENTIONS:
Interventions that restrict, limit, or curtail a person’s freedom of movement to prevent harm to self or others. These interventions include isolation, manual or mechanical restraint, and locked isolation.
RISK MANAGEMENT:
A systematic process of evaluating and reducing potential risks that may befall the program, personnel, or children, youth, and families. Risk management activities are directed toward reducing the program's or organization’s legal and financial exposure, especially to lawsuits.
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SAMPLE:
A portion or representative percentage of a greater whole.
SAMPLING:
The process of gathering data on only a portion, or percentage, of pertinent sources of information, such as files or other documents. Programs use sampling methods when a study population or area of study is quite large.
SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN:
Children and adolescents legally required to attend school. COA does not provide specific age limits for this term; however school-age is generally considered to be between the ages of 5 - 17 years old.
SENIOR GROUP LEADER:
Person responsible for supervision and guidance of children in the program, including program planning, communicating with families, supervising support staff, and relating to the community. COA recognizes that job titles and responsibilities may vary from program to program. See the ASP-HR Related File “Personnel Qualifications and Responsibilities” for more information.
SERVICE POPULATION:
A group or target population that the program is designed to serve in accord with its mission, and which includes the children and youth enrolled in the program. The service population may be defined by geographical location, specific problems or needs, religion, ethnicity, culture, or other factors.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT:
Abusive, discriminatory, and/or unfair treatment of a person because of his or her sex.
SITE DIRECTOR:
Person responsible for daily operations of the program, including supervising staff, communicating with families, building relationships with the host community, and overseeing all program activities. COA recognizes that job titles and responsibilities may vary from program to program. See the ASP-HR Related File “Personnel Qualifications and Responsibilities” for more information.
SOCIAL SERVICES:
Activities and services that enable individuals, families, and groups to cope with social and psychological problems interfering with their functioning.
SPECIAL NEEDS:
A designation used in reference to conditions or characteristics that may reflect a need for special care or assistance. These needs might be physical, behavioral, medical, emotional, or cognitive. Although each child or youth is unique, in some cases programs may need to develop a plan to meet the special needs of an individual child or youth. The plan might include providing special materials, defining a behavior plan, training staff for medical needs, adapting space to permit wheelchair access, etc.
STAKEHOLDER:
Any person, group, or organization that has a vested interest in the services provided by the program. Examples: children, youth, families, schools, community members.
STATISTICALLY VALID SAMPLE:
A set of units (e.g., individuals) drawn from a population using appropriate sampling techniques representative of the population sampled and allowing for the generalization of results obtained from the sample to the larger population.
STRESSOR:
An event, condition, or circumstance that causes or contributes to stress and anxiety. Stress involves physical, mental, and emotional reactions that are experienced because of life changes and demands. Family conflicts and unplanned pregnancies are examples of stressors.
SUPERVISION:
Assumption of responsibility for directly overseeing and evaluating the work of personnel.
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TEMPERAMENT:
A person's disposition or nature. The intensity and range of a person's emotions are influenced by temperament. A person's temperament will define his or her activity level, regularity of bodily functions, and response to new situations or things. Temperament is also linked to a person's adaptability, quality of mood, attention span, and persistence. Individual differences in temperament are present from birth. They are thought to be hereditary, and they remain relatively consistent over time. However, individual experiences and development can effect temperament.
TIME-OUT:
The practice of removing a person from his/her current environment or situation to another environment or situation for a specified period of time in order to reflect on his/her behavior. Unlike isolation, time-out offers an individual the freedom to leave the room or space if s/he chooses. For purposes of COA after school recognition, time-out is distinguished from ISOLATION.
TRAINING:
Instruction so as to make fit, qualified, or proficient in a skill or body of knowledge.
TRANSITIONS:
Times when individuals or groups move from one place in the program to another. Transitions take place: (1) when individual children or youth enter or exit the program; (2) when a child or youth has finished an activity and chooses to move on to another; (3) when children and youth clean up or rearrange space to prepare for a new activity; and (4) when children and youth move from one area of the program to another (e.g., when moving from the cafeteria to the gym).
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VENDOR:
An organization or person that sells services.
VOLUNTEER:
An individual who performs services for a program or organization for civic, charitable, or humanitarian reasons, without promise, expectation, or receipt of compensation for services rendered. Such service must be offered freely and without pressure or coercion, direct or implied, from an employer. If the individual is otherwise employed by the same employer for which s/he volunteers, the individual cannot volunteer to perform the same type of services that s/he is paid to perform as an employee. When volunteers perform the same duties as personnel and have a regular, ongoing role at the program, they will also fall under the term “personnel.”
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WORKLOAD:
The amount of work assigned to or expected from a person within a specified period of time.