Speaking the Same Language
Different sectors or fields (e.g., aging, disability, health, housing) often have unique buzzwords, key terms, and definitions that can make cross-sector partnership a challenge. Forming a strong partnership is easier when you know what unique language you use, understand your partners' background and language, and work to clarify differences during discussions. As a step toward understanding, here are some common acronyms in the aging, disability, health, and housing sectors.
| Acronym or Abbreviation | Full Name |
|---|---|
| AAA (Triple A) | Area Agency on Aging |
| ACA | Affordable Care Act |
| ACF | Administration for Children and Families (agency within HHS) |
| ACL | Administration for Community Living (agency within HHS) |
| ACO | Accountable Care Organization |
| ADA | Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 |
| ADLs | Activities of Daily Living |
| ADRC | Aging and Disability Resource Center |
| AoA | Administration on Aging |
| AoD | Administration on Disabilities |
| APS | Adult Protective Services |
| AT | Assistive Technology |
| CCBHC | Certified Community Behavioral Health Center |
| CCH | Community Care Hub |
| CDBG | Community Development Block Grant (HUD funding) |
| CDC | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (agency within HHS) |
| CHIP | Children's Health Insurance Program |
| CHW | Community Health Worker |
| CIL | Center for Independent Living |
| CMS | Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (agency within HHS) |
| DD | Developmental Disabilities |
| DOL | Department of Labor |
| DIAL | Disability Information and Access Locator |
| DORS | Division of Rehabilitative Services |
| DV | Domestic Violence |
| HCBS | Home and Community-Based Services |
| HHS | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services |
| HIE | Health Information Exchange |
| HIPAA | Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 |
| HRSA | Health Resources and Services Administration (agency within HHS) |
| HRSN | Health-Related Social Needs |
| I&AR | Information and Assistance Referral |
| IADLs | Instrumental Activities of Daily Living |
| I/DD | Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities |
| IHS | Indian Health Service (agency within HHS) |
| IL | Independent Living |
| ILC | Independent Living Center |
| ISP | Individualized Service Plan |
| LTC | Long-Term Care |
| LTSS | Long-Term Services and Supports |
| MA | Medicare Advantage |
| MCH | Maternal and Child Health |
| MFP | Money Follows the Person |
| NIA | National Institute on Aging (institute within NIH) |
| NIDILRR | National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research |
| NIH | National Institutes of Health (agency within HHS) |
| NIMH | National Institute of Mental Health (institute within NIH) |
| NOFO | Notice of Funding Opportunity |
| NWD | No Wrong Door |
| OAA | Older Americans Act |
| P&A | Protection and Advocacy System |
| PSS | Peer Support Specialist |
| Rehab Act | Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act |
| RSA | Rehabilitation Services Administration (agency within U.S. Department of Education) |
| SAMHSA | Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (agency within HHS) |
| SDOH | Social Determinants of Health or Social Drivers of Health |
| SED | Serious Emotional Disturbance |
| SHIP | State Health Insurance Assistance Program |
| SILC | Statewide Independent Living Council |
| SMI | Serious Mental Illness |
| SMP | Senior Medicare Patrol |
| SNAP | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program |
| SNP | Special Needs Plan |
| SPIL | State Plan for Independent Living |
| SS | Supportive Services |
| SSA | U.S. Social Security Administration |
| SSBG | Social Services Block Grant |
| SSDI | Social Security Disability Insurance |
| SSI | Supplemental Security Income |
| SUA | State Unit on Aging |
| SUD | Substance Use Disorder |
| TAY | Transition Age Youth |
| UCEDD | University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service |
| VAWA | Violence Against Women Act |
| VI-SPDAT | Vulnerability Index-Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool |
| VR | State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency |
| Acronym | Full Name |
|---|---|
| AFFH | Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing |
| AHAR | Annual Homeless Assessment Report |
| AHTF | Affordable Housing Trust Fund |
| AL | Assisted Living |
| AMI | Area Median Income |
| CDBG | Community Development Block Grant |
| CDC | Community Development Corporation |
| CDFI | Community Development Financial Institutions |
| CES | Coordinated Entry System |
| CHDO | Community Housing Development Organization |
| CoC | Continuum of Care |
| CPD | Community Planning and Development (office within HUD) |
| CRA | Community Reinvestment Act |
| EHV | Emergency Housing Voucher |
| ES | Emergency Shelter |
| ESG | Emergency Solutions Grants |
| FHA | Fair Housing Act of 1968 |
| FHAA | Fair Housing Act Amendments of 1988 |
| FHAP | Fair Housing Assistance Program |
| FHEO | Fair Housing/Equal Opportunity |
| FHIP | Fair Housing Initiatives Program |
| FMR | Fair Market Rent |
| FSS | Family Self-Sufficiency Program |
| HCV | Housing Choice Voucher |
| HFA | Housing Finance Agency |
| HIC | Housing Inventory Count |
| HMIS | Homeless Management Information System |
| HOME | HOME Investment Partnership Program |
| HOPWA | Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS |
| HRP | Housing-Related Provider |
| HUD | U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development |
| LIHTC | Low-Income Housing Tax Credit |
| MAGI | Modified Adjusted Gross Income |
| PBRA | Project-Based Rental Assistance |
| PBSC | Place-Based Service Coordination |
| PEH | People Experiencing Homelessness |
| PHA | Public Housing Agency or Public Housing Authority |
| PIT Count | Point in Time Count |
| PRA | Project Rental Assistance (model used in HUD's 811 program) |
| PSH | Permanent Supportive Housing |
| RH | Recovery Housing |
| ROSS | Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency Program |
| RRH | Rapid Re-Housing |
| SNAPS | Special Needs Assistance Programs (office within HUD) |
| Section 8 | HUD Section 8 Program |
| Section 202 | HUD 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program |
| Section 811 | HUD 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities Program |
| SRO | Single Room Occupancy |
| TBRA | Tenant-Based Rental Assistance |
| TH | Transitional Housing |
| USDA | U.S. Department of Agriculture |
| VASH | Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing |