2101               Definition of Terms          Effective Date - January 1, 2009

                        Approved relative foster family home - the home of a relative, other than a parent(s), of the foster child and approved by the Social Services Unit of DFS.

                        CAP - the income limit established by the Federal government as one of the prospective eligibility tests and is 185% of the standard of need.

                        Certified foster care facilities - those facilities certified (aka licensed) by the Child Protection Services (CPS) of DFS to care for children and meeting the standards established for such certification to include a nonrelative foster family home, group home, public institution of 25 children or less or a private non-profit institution

                        Foster care - the term used by DFS when a child is in state custody.

                        Foster care provider - the facility or person(s) caring for the child(ren) in DFS custody placed in their care and licensed/approved by DFS.

                        Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) - an agreement between states to ensure protection and services to children who are placed across state lines for foster care or adoption. 

A.    The Compact establishes orderly procedures for the interstate placement of children and assigns responsibilities for those involved in placing the child.

B.    The Compact does not include placements in a medical facility, a boarding school or a mental health or mental retardation facility.

                        Involuntary foster care - placement of a child into foster care without parental consent by order of the court or by temporary protective custody (72 hour hold) consistent with W.S. 14-3-208.

                        Nonrelative foster family home  - a private home in which care is provided on a 24 hour basis for not more than five children excluding the foster parents' own children.  No more than two infants under two years of age shall be placed in one foster home.

                        Payment standard - the budget test in which the countable income of the AFDC unit is subtracted, adjusted by household size, and arrived at by applying the ratable reduction to the standard of need.

                        Permanency plan - a case plan developed within 60 days of removal of the child from the home and describing the efforts to be made to achieve a safe placement consistent with the best interests and special needs of the child and in the least restrictive setting available.

                        Petition - a formal, written application to the court requesting judicial action on a certain matter.


A.    A petition initiates legal proceedings; and

B.    A petition is preceded by a notice to all parties affected by the relief requested in the petition.

                        Public institution - the public institutions in Wyoming include, but are not limited to, the State Penitentiary, Women’s Center, State Hospital, Wyoming State Training School, Honor Farm, Girls’ School, Boys’ School, Pioneer Home, city/county jail facilities and any other facility which is government operated or contracted to operate under government administration.             

                        Ratable reduction - the percentage by which the standard of need is reduced, as set by the State Legislature and effective 7/1/93, to establish a payment standard, adjusted by household size.

                        Residential treatment facility - a group setting for ten and no more than 50 children age six and above who require a structured environment and treatment program.

                        Shelter/Group home care - a group setting for not more than ten children age ten through 18 including the staff's own children providing a planned period of substitute care and a planned program of group living, community experiences and specialized services for a small group of children.

                        Standard of need - the dollar amount set by the State Legislature, effective 10/1/90, allotted for the needs of the person for one month for shelter and/or food, clothing, personal needs, etc.

                        Voluntary foster care - a child(ren) placed in foster care voluntarily through a Voluntary Placement Agreement (SS-11) by the parent or caretaker for a temporary period of time.

A.    A voluntary placement is not considered an alternative to custody by court action.