Abandonment

The failure of a parent to provide adequately for the financial support for a child and an unjustified failure to maintain, or attempt to maintain, contact or a parental relationship with the child. Abandonment is judged over a period of time which varies in different states, but the time period to prove legal abandonment is usually between 6 months and one year.

Abuse

The use or treatment of someone or something that is seen as harmful. Abuse of a person can be physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, or a combination of any or all of those. Abuse of a substance may involve alcohol or drugs.

ACSLA

(short for Ansell Casey Life skills Assessment) An evaluation of young person’s skills which will contribute to their success as they transition to adulthood. Available for free at caseylifeskills.org.

Appeal

Someone asks for a hearing to change the court’s decision. Any court decision is subject to an appeal. Appeals can take several months to resolve.

Ansell Casey Life Skills Assessment

An evaluation of young person’s skills which will contribute to their success as they transition to adulthood. Available for free at caseylifeskills.org.

Aging Out

When a youth emancipates or leaves foster care because they turn a certain age, such as 18 or 21 (depending on the laws of the state they live in). Aging out usually results in loss of support from the State for things such as foster care payments, housing, living costs and health services.

Agency

The organization responsible for providing services while a child or youth is in foster care. Agencies may have names such as CPS, DHS, or CFS and may be run by the county, state or by a private organization.

Advocate

A person who speaks up on behalf of themselves or someone else in an effort to gain services or things.

Adoption

The creation of a new, permanent relationship between an adoptive parent and a child. Once this happens, there is no legal difference between a child who is adopted and a child who is born into a family. Adoption can happen at any time, from baby to teenager (or even beyond). Adoption can be by a relative, foster parent, or a completely new family. An adoptive family might be a single parent, a couple, or a family with kids.

ADHD

A medical condition that affects how well someone can sit still, focus, and pay attention. People with ADHD have differences in the parts of their brains that control attention and activity. This means that they may have trouble focusing on certain tasks and subjects, or they may seem “wired,” act impulsively, and get into trouble.

Adjudication

A hearing to figure out if there has been a crime.

ADD

(Short for Attention Deficit Disorder) A medical condition that affects how well someone can sit still, focus, and pay attention. People with ADHD have differences in the parts of their brains that control attention and activity. This means that they may have trouble focusing on certain tasks and subjects, or they may seem “wired,” act impulsively, and get into trouble.

Addiction

When a person has no control over whether he or she uses drugs or alcohol. For example, someone who’s addicted to cocaine has grown so used to the drug that he or she has to have it. Addiction can be physical, psychological, or both.

Arraignment

The court gives an individual a chance to admit or deny the crime or to let the judge decide.

Attention Deficit Disorder

A medical condition that affects how well someone can sit still, focus, and pay attention. People with ADHD have differences in the parts of their brains that control attention and activity. This means that they may have trouble focusing on certain tasks and subjects, or they may seem “wired,” act impulsively, and get into trouble.

Attorney

A professional person authorized to practice law and give legal advice. Most young people in foster care are represented by an attorney in court, who helps to protect their best interests. The agency, biological parents, adoptive parents and others involved in the case may have their own attorney. Also called a lawyer.