For purposes of this subchapter:

(1) Community referral services The term “community referral services” means services provided under contract or through interagency agreements to assist families in obtaining needed information, mutual support and community resources, including respite care services, health and mental health services, employability development and job training, and other social services, including early developmental screening of children, through help lines or other methods.

(2) Community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities to prevent child abuse and neglect The term “community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect” includes organizations such as family resource programs, family support programs, voluntary home visiting programs, respite care programs, parenting education, mutual support programs, and other community programs or networks of such programs that provide activities that are designed to prevent or respond to child abuse and neglect.

The term “respite care services” means short term care services, including the services of crisis nurseries, provided in the temporary absence of the regular caregiver (parent, other relative, foster parent, adoptive parent, or guardian) to children who—

(A) are in danger of child abuse or neglect;

(B) have experienced child abuse or neglect; or

(C) have disabilities or chronic or terminal illnesses.

(Pub. L. 93–247, title II, § 208, formerly § 209, as added Pub. L. 104–235, title I, § 121, Oct. 3, 1996, 110 Stat. 3087; amended Pub. L. 108–36, title I, § 129, June 25, 2003, 117 Stat. 817; renumbered § 208 and amended Pub. L. 111–320, title I, §§ 139, 141, Dec. 20, 2010, 124 Stat. 3481, 3482.)