Department of Homeland Security (DHS) — The federal agency that prevents terrorist attacks, reduce the nation's vulnerability to terrorism, and minimizes damage from potential attacks and natural disasters.

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) — A step toward lawful, permanent residency for undocumented alien children under juvenile court jurisdiction, which will entitle them to federal foster care benefits.

Provider witness — a CPS contractor or provider who is asked to testify at a trial, deposition, or mediation; for example, a therapist who treats a child or the child's parents under an already existing contract with DFPS.

  •  In-area — A provider witness who is asked to testify in the local area that he was originally contracted to work in.

  •  Out-of-area — A provider witness who is asked to testify outside the local area that he was originally contracted to work in, either elsewhere in the region or in another region.

Expert witness — Someone other than a provider witness, who has an area of expertise and is asked to testify at a trial, deposition, or mediation. Examples include a child's private therapist whose services were paid by the child's parents, or an outside expert testifying on a particular topic, such as Munchausen syndrome by proxy.