This is part two of the Alphabet Soup blog. Read part one to learn the A through I acronyms, and part three to learn the S 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!

  • JDC – Juvenile Drug Court
    • Dockets within juvenile courts for cases involving youth who use substances in need of specialized treatment services.
  • JDTR – Jail Diversion Trauma Recovery – Priority to Veterans
    • This program supported local and statewide expansion of jail diversion programs for people with post-traumatic stress and other trauma-related disorders. A priority for this program was to provide needed services to veterans returning from Iraq/Afghanistan.
  • LA – Leadership Academy
    • This academy model is designed to prepare individuals who are invested in SOAR program’s success to be local leads.
  • MAT – Medication-Assisted Treatment
    • This treatment program combines behavioral therapy and medications to treat substance use disorders.
  • MHTC-JJ – Mental Health Training Curriculum for Juvenile Justice
    • A training designed for juvenile justice professionals to provide them with critical information and practical strategies for interacting and communicating with youth in their care who have mental health needs.
  • MHTG – Mental Health Transformation Grant
    • This program strives to foster the adoption and implementation of permanent, transformative changes in how public mental health services are organized, managed, and delivered.
  • NCMHJJ – National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice
    • This project provide a national focal point aimed at improving policies and programs for youth with mental health disorders in contact with the juvenile justice system.
  • OAT – Online Application Tracking
    • This program allows SOAR-trained case managers to enter and track data about and outcomes of their SSA disability applications.
  • OJJDP – Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
    • OJJDP, a component of the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, accomplishes its mission by supporting states, local communities, and tribal jurisdictions in their efforts to develop and implement effective programs for juveniles.
  • PA – Policy Academy
    • This academy model is designed to allow groups to receive specialized technical assistance designed to strengthen systems and services.
  • PAW – Program to Achieve Wellness
    • This project operationalizes SAMHSA’s Wellness Initiative awareness efforts through the development of online wellness and technical assistance products and resources, provision of technical assistance, and recognition of innovative and successful wellness programs.
  • PRA – Policy Research Associates, Inc.
    • PRA is a small, woman-owned business that is a national leader in behavioral health and research.
  • PRI – Policy Research, Inc.
    • PRA’s close partner, a small, not-for-profit corporation and incorporated in 1995.
  • PTSD – Post-traumatic stress disorder
    • The development of debilitating symptoms following exposure to a traumatic or dangerous event.
  • RFP – Request for Proposal
    • A bidding solicitation made available by an organization.

Are there other acronyms that should be on this list? Let us know in the comments!