§ 1208.1-2 - Definitions.

Terms used in this part are defined as follows:

Act is the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, as amended (Pub. L. 93-113, 87 Stat. 394, 42 U.S.C. 4951).

Advisory Council is a group of persons formally organized by the project sponsor for the purpose of advising and supporting the sponsor in operating the project effectively.

Agency is the federal ACTION agency.

Allowable medical expenses are annual out-of-pocket expenses for health insurance premiums, health care services, and medications provided to the applicant, enrollee, or spouse and were not and will not be paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, other insurance, or other third party and, shall not exceed 15 percent of the applicable ACTION income guideline.

Annual Income is counted for the past 12 months and includes: The applicant or enrollee's income and, the applicant or enrollee's spouse's income, if the spouse lives in the same residence. Project directors may count the value of shelter, food, and clothing, if provided at no cost by persons related to the applicant, enrollee, or spouse.

Child is any individual under 21 years of age.

Children having exceptional needs are those who are developmentally disabled such as those who are mentally retarded, autistic, have cerebral palsy or epilepsy or are visually handicapped, speech impaired, hearing impaired, orthopedically impaired, multi-handicapped, emotionally disturbed or have a language disorder, specific learning disability or other significant health impairment. Existence of a child's exceptional need shall be verified by an appropriate professional, such as a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, registered nurse or licensed practical nurse, speech therapist or educator before a Foster Grandparent is assigned to the child.

Children with special needs includes those who are: Abused or neglected; in need of foster care; status offenders; juvenile delinquents; runaway youths; certain teen-age parents; and children in need of protective intervention in their homes. Existence of a child's special need shall be verified by an appropriate professional before a Foster Grandparent is assigned to the child.

Direct Benefits are stipends, meals, transportation, annual physical examinations, volunteer insurance, recognition and uniforms included in the budget as Volunteer Expenses.

Director is the Director of ACTION.

Federally recognized Indian tribal government means the governing body or a governmental agency of any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community (including any Native village as defined in section 3 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, 85 Stat. 688) certified by the Secretary of the Interior as eligible for the special programs and services provided through the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Handbook is the FGP Handbook No. 4405.90 which contains policies for implementing these regulations.

Handicapped is a person or persons having physical or mental impairments that substantially limit one or more major life activities.

Hard-to-reach individuals are those who are physically or socially isolated because of factors such as language, disability, or inadequate transportation.

Individual Care or Treatment Plan is a written description of a Foster Grandparent's assignment with a child. The plan defines the goals for the child to be attained through the relationship with a Foster Grandparent and the specific activities to be performed by the Foster Grandparent in the assignment.

In-home refers to non-institutional assignment of a Foster Grandparent in a private residence, a foster home, or a group home.

Letter of Agreement is a written agreement between a volunteer station, the project sponsor, and the person or persons legally responsible for the child served. It authorizes the assignment of a Foster Grandparent in the child's home, defines the Foster Grandparent's activities and delineates specific arrangements for supervision.

Memorandum of Understanding is a written statement prepared and signed by the Foster Grandparent project sponsor and the volunteer station which identifies project requirements, working relationships and mutual responsibilities.

OAVP refers to the Older American Volunteer Programs, which include: the Foster Grandparent Program, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, and the Senior Companion Program.

Parent is a natural parent or a person acting in place of a natural parent, such as a child's natural grandparent, or a step-parent with whom the child lives. The term also includes otherwise unrelated individuals who are legally responsible for a child's welfare.

Project is the locally planned and implemented Foster Grandparent Program activity as agreed upon between ACTION and the sponsor.

Service Area is a geographically defined area in which Foster Grandparents are recruited, enrolled, and placed on assignments.

Service Schedule is the 20 hours per week that a Foster Grandparent serves.

Sponsor is a public agency or private nonprofit organization which is responsible for the operation of the Foster Grandparent project.

Stipend is a payment to Foster Grandparents to enable them to serve without cost to themselves.

United States and States mean the several states, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.

Volunteer Station means a public agency, private nonprofit organization or proprietary health care agency or organization that accepts the responsibility for assignment and supervision of Foster Grandparents in health, education, welfare or related settings such as private homes, hospitals, homes for dependent and neglected children, or similiar establishments.

Each volunteer station must be licensed or otherwise certified, when required, by the appropriate state or local government.

Private homes are not volunteer stations.