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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 F

  • Family Support

    A DHS program under s. 46.985, Wis. Stats., and ch. HFS 65 Adm. Codes, that provides support to families with a severely handicapped child living at home by helping pay for the services and goods that a family needs to care for the family member at home.

  • FAS

    Fetal alcohol syndrome; physical and/or mental anomalies in a newborn child resulting from the mother's drinking of alcoholic beverages during pregnancy.

  • FDA

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

  • FDD

    Facility for the developmentally disabled. A type of nursing home primarily for developmentally disabled persons. State centers for developmentally disabled persons are FDDs. Licensed under ch. HFS 134 Adm. Codes.

  • Federal Poverty Level

    Federal Poverty Level; poverty income thresholds based upon family size and income. Families below the threshold are considered in poverty, based upon guidelines which are updated yearly by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Income excludes Medicare, Medicaid, food stamps and WIC drafts.

  • FFP

    Federal financial participation, i.e., Federal aid.

  • FFY

    Federal fiscal year, October 1 to September 30.

  • FHS

    Federal Health Survey

  • FL/CIS

    Facility Licensing/Certification Information System

  • FNS

    Food and Nutrition Service, the part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture responsible for Food Stamps.

  • Foster Grandparents

    Foster grandparents are adults over 55 who help kids with special needs. They serve as mentors, tutors, and caregivers.

  • FPOS

    Family Planning Only Services

  • FR

    Federal Register. A daily (weekdays) publication containing federal proposed and final regulations and other official federal government announcements.

  • FSET

    FoodShare Employment and Training

  • FWRS

    Fiscal Work Reporting System
Last revised February 14, 2024