Sec.17a-126-2. Definitions

As used in sections 17a-126-1 through 17a-126-23, inclusive, of the regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, the following definitions apply:

(1) "Care or Custody of the Department" means committed to or placed with the department under a court order of the Superior Court for Juvenile Matters, excluding delinquency and Family With Service Needs orders.

(2) "Certified Relative Care" means care provided for a foster child by a person certified to provide such care pursuant to sections 17a-114-14 to 17a-114-25, inclusive, of the regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(3) "Child" means a person under the age of eighteen.

(4) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Children and Families.

(5) "Department" means the department of children and families.

(6) "Foster Care" means care provided for a foster child by a person licensed, approved or certified to provide such care pursuant to sections 17a-145-130 through 17a-145-160, inclusive, or sections 17a-150-51 through 17a-150-123, inclusive, or sections 17a-114-14 through 17a-114-25, inclusive, of the regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(7) "Guardian" means one who has the authority and obligations of "guardianship" as defined in subdivision (8) of this section.

(8) "Guardianship" means guardianship of the person of a minor, and includes:(A)the obligation of care or control; and (B)the authority to make major decisions, affecting the child's welfare, which the child cannot make on his own, including, but not limited to, consent determinations regarding marriage, enlistment in the armed forces and major medical, psychiatric or surgical treatment.

(9) "Prevailing Foster Care Rate" means the rate the child would be receiving if the child were still in foster care, taking into account the child's age and special-needs, as adjusted based on the asset test of the child as prescribed in section 17a-126-6 of the regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(10) "Relative Caregiver" means a person who is caring for a child related to such person because the parent of the child has died or become otherwise unable to care for the child for reasons that make reunification with the parent not a viable option within the foreseeable future.

(11) "Subsidized Guardian" means a person to whom legal guardianship has been awarded and who otherwise qualifies for a subsidy under sections 17a-126-1 through 17a-126-23, inclusive, of the regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(Adopted effective September 1, 1998)