Many child welfare terms are subject to interpretation. The Glossary identifies commonly held definitions for terms that can be found on the Child Welfare Information Gateway website or in products and materials developed by external entities (e.g., Federal or State Agencies or other reliable organizations). When noted, Information Gateway is cited as the source. The Glossary also provides common acronyms and includes links to information on major Federal legislation and related child welfare terms. The Glossary will be updated as new terminology emerges in the field, as new legislation is enacted, and as child welfare terms take on new meaning.
For additional information on glossary terms, please see our index Search A-Z.
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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
management
The act of coordinating the efforts of people to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources in business and organizational activities. Management composes planning, organizing, staffing, leading or directing, and controlling an organization (a group of one or more people or entities) or effort for the purpose of accomplishing a goal.
mandated reporter
A professional who is required by State statutes to report suspected child abuse and neglect to the proper authorities (usually child protective services or law enforcement agencies). Mandated reporters typically include educators and other school personnel, health care and mental health professionals, social workers, child-care providers, and law enforcement.
marginalization
The process that occurs when members of a dominant group relegate a particular group to the edge of society by not allowing them an active voice, identity, or place for the purpose of maintaining power. (Center for the Study of Social Policy)
matching
In domestic adoption or placement of children from foster care, the task of reviewing the assessments of prospective families along with those of available children to determine the best family to provide safety, permanency, and well-being for a specific child or sibling group.
maternity home
A residence for pregnant woman (adults or adolescents) who are in the process of making an adoption plan for their unborn child. Pregnant young woman in foster care can be placed in a maternity home setting if the home is licensed to provide group home care.
mediation
A nonadversarial, voluntary process that allows the parties involved to agree on a permanency decision in the best interests of the child with the help of a trained, neutral, third party. Mediation generally avoids adversarial court hearings. Parties are more invested in the outcome because they participated in decision-making. Parties to mediation may include birth parents, foster/adoptive parents, relatives, the child, the agency worker, attorneys, and others. Mediations can be court-based or may take place at other, more neutral locations.
medical neglect
Failure to provide or to allow needed care as recommended by a competent health care professional for a physical injury, illness, medical condition, or impairment, and/or the failure to seek timely and appropriate medical care for a serious health problem that any reasonable person would have recognized as needing professional medical attention.
mentoring (in child welfare)
In a career-related function, a mutual and collaborative relationship aimed at enhancing organizational culture and workforce retention through peer support. Mentors are typically seasoned colleagues who can assist new caseworkers with specific knowledge development about their job, organization, and/or the community. In foster care, mentoring is a structured relationship model integrated into specific programs to ensure a successful transition to adulthood. Trained mentors provide guidance, support, and encouragement that effectively build the social-emotional, cognitive, and positive identity of a young person. Specific mentoring programs and services help youth move toward self-sufficiency in the areas of education, employment, housing, and more.
MEPA (See Multiethnic Placement Act of 1994.)
meta-analysis
A quantitative, formal, epidemiological study design used to assess previous research studies systematically to derive conclusions about that body of research. (US National Library of Medicine)
methamphetamine
A highly addictive stimulant associated with serious health and psychiatric conditions, including heart damage and brain damage, impaired thinking and memory problems, aggression, violence, and psychotic behavior. Methamphetamine use is a contributing factor to the increased risk of child abuse and neglect. (Adapted from the National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare)
methodology
The analysis of the principles of methods, rules, and postulates employed by a discipline; the systematic study of methods that are, can be, or have been applied within a discipline; or a procedure or set of procedures.
migrant
Any person who lives temporarily or permanently in a country where he or she was not born, and has acquired some significant social ties to this country. (Adapted from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization)
model court
In general, a court that seeks to improve outcomes for children and families involved in the child welfare system by adhering to the practices and procedures described in Resource Guidelines: Improving Court Practice in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases (National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges—NCJFCJ). More specifically, it refers to one of the Model Court sites supported by NCJFCJ's Child Victim's Act Model Courts Project. (See National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges—NCJFCJ)
moral adoption
A model of finding permanent families for older youth in foster care who will exit care soon. Moral adoption is characterized by a foster family’s unconditional, lifetime commitment to a child regardless of that child’s legal status and the absence of required commitment on the part of the youth, unless they elect to do so. (You Gotta Believe)
moral injury
The lasting psychological, spiritual and social harm caused by one’s own or another’s actions in a high stakes situation that transgress deeply held moral beliefs and expectations. (Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare)
multicultural competency
A process of learning about and becoming allies with people from other cultures, thereby broadening our own understanding and ability to participate in a multicultural process. The key elements to becoming more culturally competent are respect for the ways that others live in and organize the world and an openness to learn from them. (Racial Equity Tools)
multidisciplinary team
A team that represents a variety of disciplines that interact and coordinate their efforts to diagnose, treat, and plan for children and families receiving child welfare services. It is also referred to as a "child protection team," "interdisciplinary team," or "case consultation team."
Multiethnic Placement Act of 1994 (MEPA) (See Major Federal Legislation Concerned With Child Protection, Child Welfare, and Adoption.)