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Acronym Glossary

Acronyms are often used by public and private agencies as timesaving, shorthand ways to communicate lengthy titles or basic concepts. This glossary provides a quick reference to the terms, acronyms and abbreviations commonly used by this Department.

Topics S

  • SAMHSA

    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, part of PHS in HHS.

  • SARS-CoV-2

    Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2; the virus that causes COVID-19

  • SC

    SeniorCare; a prescription drug assistance program for Wisconsin residents who are 65 years of age or older and meet the enrollment requirements. The program is designed to help seniors with their prescription drug costs.

  • SCAODA

    State Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse, Governor's council established under s. 14.017(2), Wis. Stats.; staffed by DHS.

  • SEIU

    Service Employees International Union

  • Session Law

    An act of the State Legislature; equivalent to a public law (PL) enacted by Congress.

  • SFY

    State fiscal year, July 1 to June 30.

  • SGR

    Sustainable Growth Rate

  • SIDS

    Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

  • SNAP

    Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program

  • SNF

    Skilled Nursing Facility; a federal certification and state licensing term for long-term care facilities. These facilities provide care to residents who no longer need hospital care but still need medical care and skilled nursing help.

  • SO

    Secretary's Office

  • SOD

    statement of deficiency (federal)

  • SOM

    state operations manual (CMS)

  • SPA

    State Plan Amendment

  • Spousal Impoverishment Law

    Spousal Impoverishment Law; married couples getting nursing home or other long-term care services must have income and assets below certain levels to get Medicaid. Spousal impoverishment protections can change how we count income and assets for married couples.

  • SRSTC

    Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Facility. A secure treatment facility in Mauston, WI., providing specialized treatment services for persons committed under Wisconsin's sexually violent persons law, Chapter 980, Wisconsin Statutes.

  • SSA

    (Federal) Social Security Administration

  • SSBG

    Social Services Block Grant. A federal grant which provides funds to states for a variety of social services, and which in turn is distributed by the Department on a formula basis to counties which provide or purchase these services for people who need them.

  • SSDI

    Social Security Disability Insurance.

  • SSI

    Supplemental Security Income; a federal government income support program for aged, blind and disabled persons; checks are distributed by the federal government; monthly grant includes a state supplement amounting to over 20%.

  • SSN

    social security number

  • Standard Precaution

    A set of infection control practices used to prevent transmission of diseases that can be acquired by contact with blood, body fluids, non-intact skin (including rashes), and mucous membranes. These measures are to be used when providing care to all individuals, whether or not they appear infectious or symptomatic.

  • State Health Plan

    Healthiest Wisconsin 2010: A Partnership Plan to Improve the Health of the Public (the state health plan required by s. 250.07, Wis. Stats.).

  • State Plan

    Usually refers to a document prepared by the Department as a condition for receipt of Federal funds; often a compliance document or a record of policy and procedure.

  • Statement of Scope

    For proposed administrative rules. Required since April 1, 1996 under s. 227.135, Stats.

  • STD

    Sexually Transmitted Disease

  • STI

    Sexually Transmitted Infection

  • Sum Certain

    An appropriation providing funding up to but not exceeding a certain amount.

  • Sum Sufficient

    An appropriation providing whatever level of funding is necessary to accomplish the purpose for which it was made.

  • Supported Employment

    A vocational rehabilitation program that provides additional funding to pay for on-the-job skill training and ongoing support services for up to 18 months for clients with severe disabilities; intended for these clients who are placed in jobs and need further training and support to perform these jobs.

  • SWC

    Southern Wisconsin Center, a DHS residential facility for developmentally disabled persons near Union Grove.

Last revised February 14, 2024