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TermsDefinitions
CapitationA fixed amount of money paid per person for covered services for a specific time; usually expressed in units of per member per month (pmpm).
CaregiverA person who has special training to help people with mental health problems. Examples include social workers, teachers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and mentors.
Care AdvocateA term used for an individual who has obtained clinical endorsement, and is specifically licensed with that designation, and has experience in mental health and/or substance use services; primary responsibility is reviewing requests for service authorizations.
Carve-InA generic term that refers to any of a continuum of joint efforts between clinicians and service providers; also used specifically to refer to health care delivery and financing arrangement in which all covered benefits (e.g. Behavioral and General health care) are administered and funded by an integrated system.
Carve-Out
A health care delivery and financing arrangement in which certain specific health care services that are covered benefits (e.g. behavioral health care) are administered and funded separately from general health care services.  The carve-out is typically done through separate contracting or sub-contracting for services to a special population.
Case Manager
An individual who organizes and coordinates services and supports for children and/or adults with mental health problems and their families. (Alternate terms: service coordinator, advocate, and facilitator).
Case ManagementA service that helps people arrange for appropriate health services and supports.
Child Protective Services (CPS)Designed to safeguard the child when abuse, neglect, or abandonment is suspected, or when there is no family to take care of the child. Examples of help delivered in the home include financial assistance, vocational training, homemaker services, and daycare. If in-home supports are insufficient, the child may be removed from the home on a temporary or permanent basis. Ideally, the goal is to keep the child with the family whenever possible.
Children and adolescents at risk for mental health problemsChildren are at greater risk for developing mental health problems when certain factors occur in their lives or environments. Factors include physical abuse, emotional abuse or neglect, harmful stress, discrimination, poverty, loss of a loved one, frequent relocation, alcohol and other drug use, trauma, and exposure to violence.
Children’s long-term inpatient program (CLIP)A program that provides long-term hospitalization treatment for seriously mentally ill children and youth.
Clinical PsychologistA clinical psychologist is a professional with a doctoral degree in psychology who specializes in clinical diagnostics, testing and psychotherapy.
Clinical Social Worker
Clinical social workers are health professionals trained in client-centered advocacy that assist clients with information, referral, and direct help in dealing with local, State, or Federal government agencies. As a result, they often serve as case managers to help people "navigate the system".  
Cognitive Therapy
Cognitive therapy aims to identify and correct distorted thinking patterns that can lead to feelings and behaviors that may be troublesome, self-defeating, or even self-destructive. The goal is to replace such thinking with a more balanced view that, in turn, leads to more fulfilling and productive behavior.
Cognitive/Behavioral TherapyA combination of cognitive and behavioral therapies, this approach helps people change negative thought patterns, beliefs, and behaviors so they can manage symptoms and enjoy more productive, less stressful lives.
Collateral ServicesServices that include contacts with significant others involved in the client's/patient's life for the purpose of discussing the client's/patient's emotional or behavioral problems or the collateral's relationship with the client/patient.
Community ServicesServices that are provided in a community setting and may not be clinical in focus.  These services may also be a part of general activities of a school, church, or community group. Community services refer to all services not provided in an inpatient setting.
Conduct Disorders
Children with conduct disorder repeatedly violate the personal or property rights of others and the basic expectations of society. A diagnosis of conduct disorder is likely when these symptoms continue for 6 months or longer. Conduct disorder is known as a "disruptive behavior disorder" because of its impact on children and their families, neighbors, and schools.
Consumer
Any individual who does or could receive health care or services. Includes other more specialized terms, such as beneficiary, client, customer, eligible member, recipient, or patient.
Consumer-Run ServicesMental health treatment or support services that are provided by current or former mental health consumers. Includes social clubs, peer-support groups, and other peer-organized or consumer-run activities.
Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)An approach to health care quality management borrowed from the manufacturing sector. It builds on traditional quality assurance methods by putting in place a management structure that continuously gathers and assesses data that are then used to improve performance and design more efficient systems of care. Also known as total quality management (TQM).
Continuum of CareA term that implies a progression of services that a child moves through, usually one service at a time. More recently, it has come to mean comprehensive services. Also, see system of care and wraparound services.
Couples Counseling and Family Therapy
These two similar approaches to therapy involve discussions and problem-solving sessions facilitated by a therapist-sometimes with the couple or entire family group, sometimes with individuals. Such therapy can help couples and family members improve their understanding of, and the way they respond to, one another. This type of therapy can resolve patterns of behavior that might lead to more severe mental illness. Family therapy can help educate the individuals about the nature of mental disorders and teach them skills to cope better with the effects of having a family member with a mental illness-such as how to deal with feelings of anger or guilt.
Crisis Residential Treatment (CRT) ServicesShort-term, round-the-clock help provided in a non-hospital setting during a crisis.
Cultural CompetenceHelp that is sensitive and responsive to cultural differences. Caregivers are aware of the impact of culture and possess skills to help provide services that respond appropriately to a person's unique cultural differences, including race and ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, or physical disability. They also adapt their skills to fit a family's values and customs.

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