465 IAC 2-8-1 Definitions

Sec. 1. (a) The definitions in this section apply throughout this rule. (b) "Child" means a minor child as defined in 42 U.S.C. 619(2). (c) "County director" means the director of a local office as defined in IC 31-9-2-76.6. (d) "County office" means a local office of the department that currently has, or previously had, supervisory authority concerning a child who is or has been a child in need of services under IC 31-34 and who is or may be eligible for assistance under this rule. (e) "Department" means the department of child services established by IC 31-25-1-1. (f) "Family" means a residential household in which a child resides with an adult caretaker relative. (g) "Guardian" means: (1) a person described in IC 29-3-1-6 who has been appointed and is acting as guardian for a child; or (2) a person who meets the conditions and requirements of section 3 of this rule, as determined by the county office. (h) "Guardianship assistance agreement" means a written agreement signed by a guardian and county director, in a form prescribed by the department, that provides for monthly assistance payments to the guardian on behalf of a child, under the terms and provisions of this rule. (i) "Permanency plan" means a plan described in IC 31-34-21-7.5 for a child who is a child in need of services that has been approved by a juvenile court pursuant to IC 31-34-21-7. (j) "Relative" means a person who has a relationship to a child described in IC 12-7-2-162.5 [NOTE: IC 12-7-2 is repealed by P.L. 145-2026, SECTION 62, effective July 1, 2026.], other than a parent. For purposes of this rule, a grandparent may also include a great-grandparent. (k) "Seriously disabled" means a condition that meets the requirements of 42 U.S.C. 1382c(a) and 20 CFR 416.901 et seq., for determining blindness or disability as a condition to eligibility for benefits under Title XVI of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 1382 et seq. The county office may request assistance from the disability determination bureau established under IC 12-8-1.5-16 in determining whether a child is seriously disabled. (l) "Shelter care facility" means a facility described in IC 31-9-2-117(a). (m) "TANF" means financial assistance to eligible recipients that the division of family resources established under IC 12-13-1-1 provides, or is authorized to provide pursuant to IC 12-14-28 or any applicable provision of the plan submitted to and accepted by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, from funds available to the division through Title IV-A of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.