This is part one of the Alphabet Soup blog. Read parts two and three to learn the J through Z acronyms!

Our work at PRA is filled with acronyms – we have one for just about every program, practice, and training, which can be challenging for newcomers who are trying to keep up with the verbal Ping-Pong in the office.

Frequently, acronyms do not transfer over to the work of a different division, or even project; so, deciphering the letters can be a challenging task. We’ve conferred across PRA to find the most common acronyms used in the office, and listed them alphabetically with a small overview of the information. Now you have a handy reference tool to get you through any PRA staff meeting!

  • ATTC – Addiction Technology Transfer Center
    • A nationwide, multidisciplinary resource for professionals in the addictions treatment and recovery services field.
  • BHTCC – Behavioral Health Treatment Court Collaboratives
    • This program helps adults with mental and/or substance use disorders involved with the criminal justice system by supporting collaboration between courts and community-based providers.
  • CfC – Mental Health and Juvenile Justice Collaborative for Change
    • A multi-dimensional Resource Center that shares information on mental health reforms developed by states involved with Models for Change: Systems Reform in Juvenile Justice and provides guidance for effectively implementing those reforms in new communities and states throughout the country.
  • CIT-Y – Crisis Intervention Training – Youth
    • This training instructs officers certified in the 40-hour CIT program on how to expand their skills to address the unique needs of adolescents with mental health issues.
  • CODs – Co-occurring disorders
    • Most commonly used to indicate the presence of a concurrent major mental disorder and a substance use disorder. May also be known as co-occurring disorders, co-morbidity, dual disorders, and dual diagnosis.
  • COS – Consumer-Operated Services
    • COS are peer-run service programs that are owned, administratively controlled, and operated by mental health consumers and emphasize self-help as their operational approach.
  • DCI – Defending Childhood Initiative
    • This initiative leverages resources across the Department of Justice to focus on preventing, addressing, reducing, and more fully understanding childhood exposure to violence.
  • DDP – Disability Determination Process Small Grant Program
    • A one-year $10,000 stipend program awarded to graduate-level students to conduct supervised independent research on improving the Disability Determination Process for the Social Security Administration’s two disability programs.
  • DDS – Department of Disability Services
    • State agencies, funded by the federal government, that make disability determination decisions for the Social Security Administration.
  • FCN – Family Consumer Network
    • The Statewide FCN TA Center provided TA and support to grantees of the Statewide Family and Consumer Networks grant programs from 2009-2014.
  • FOA / NOFA – Funding Opportunity Announcement / Notice of Funding Availability
    • Often used for notifications of grants and contracts.
  • GAINS Center for Behavioral Health and Justice Transformation – Gather, Assess, Integrate, Network, and Stimulate
    • This center focuses on expanding access to services for people with mental and/or substance use disorders who come into contact with the justice system.
  • HUD-VASH – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing
    • This program combines Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  • IA – Implementation Academy
    • This academy model brings together small delegations to focus on a specific strategic plan priority, work intensively to determine optimal ways to implement best practices, and define success indicators.