Definitions

As used in 101 CMR 412.00, unless the context requires otherwise, terms have the meanings in 101 CMR 412.02. Client. A family that receives family transitional support services purchased by a governmental unit. Client Financial Assistance/Flexible Funding. A method whereby, subject to availability, a purchasing governmental unit may provide individual resource allocations to both families of children and adults across the state. Flexible funding may be provided through a number of means, including: a stipend issued directly to the family; reimbursement to the family for specific expenses and support services; or funds directed by the family to a qualified provider for specific services. Client Financial Assistance/Flexible Funding Administration. A service in which the provider performs the function necessary to successfully administer flexible funding expenditures to families for permissible support services, services, or goods. Cost Report. The document used to report costs and other financial and statistical data. The Uniform Financial Statements and Independent Auditor's Report (UFR) is used when required. Domestic Violence, Substance Misuse, and Trauma (DVSMT) Services. Residential programs that help individuals who need to leave an unsafe situation due to domestic and/or sexual violence, and who need longer-term recovery support to address substance misuse and/or trauma. In addition to housing, DVSMT programs provide a range of activities and services designed to support the individual, familial, and social needs of survivors of domestic violence and their children and/or dependents. Service locations must be designed and furnished to offer families a welcoming and child-friendly environment, in addition to being physically accessible, safe, and secure. Providers who can shelter individuals and families in their own community are preferred. Emergency Shelter. A program that provides individuals and families who need to leave an unsafe situation with timely and easy access to shelter within their own communities to help them achieve immediate safety while retaining access to school, work, and other supportive connections. The program must (a) allow adults and children to remain connected to informal support from family, friends, counselors, pastors, and others they depend upon in the community; and (b) demonstrate the capacity to shelter and serve children as well as adults, and be able to accommodate families requiring assistance with visitation and/or reunification. EOHHS. The Executive Office of Health and Human Services established under M.G.L. c. 6A. Family Transitional Support (FTS) Services. A service class of programs that provide families with temporary housing in a specialized congregate or individual setting, to enable stabilization and transition to a safe, permanent, and self-sufficient home environment. Governmental Unit. The Commonwealth, any board, commission, department, division, or agency of the Commonwealth and any political subdivision of the Commonwealth. Housing Stabilization Advocacy and Supportive Services. A type of residential housing stabilization program that is either located in donated space or receives additional funding to cover facility costs from another funding source. This program provides supportive services to help survivors of domestic violence locate and maintain employment and/or complete their education, parent their children and establish routines with them, make it possible to be involved in a faith community of their choosing, provide opportunities for children and youth to be involved in after- school activities, prepare survivors for economic independence, and ultimately secure more permanent housing. Individual Consideration (IC). Payment rates for certain services are designated as individual consideration (IC). If IC rates are designated, the purchasing governmental unit determines the appropriate payment as the actual cost of the item or service as evidenced by invoice, published tuition amount, or other price reasonably obtained by a competitive market for the product or service. Lower Facility Cost Program. A program identified by the purchasing governmental unit as having nominal facility related costs due to either donated space or additional funding that covers the cost of the residence. Provider. Any individual, group, partnership, trust, corporation, or other legal entity that offers services for purchase by a governmental unit and that meets the conditions of purchase or licensure that have been adopted by a purchasing governmental unit. Reporting Year. The provider's fiscal year for which costs incurred are reported to the Operational Services Division on the Uniform Financial Statements and Independent Auditor's Report (UFR). Residential Housing Stabilization. A program that helps victims and their families find stability within their communities, expand their networks of support, and build their capacity to live independently and securely. Support services help program participants access and maintain permanent housing, access employment and/or attend school, parent their children, and generally prepare for economic independence. Housing may be (a) scattered site rental apartments in which families assume the lease once the program has provided the unit; (b) condominiums or single-family homes purchased by families through home buying assistance provided by the program; or (c) apartments in multiple dwelling buildings.