About Us
Simply put: fins helps parents, parent. We are a voluntary, juvenile delinquency prevention program dedicated to assisting families through difficult times in their child-rearing. Our staff is made up of dedicated professionals who are committed to connecting your family with the social services, educational resources, and social support networks to ensure that your children are set up for success.
who we're here for
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Child who is truant (5 or more unexcused absences/tardies), or has willfully and repeatedly violated lawful school rules
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Child who is ungovernable
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Child who is a runaway
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Child who has repeatedly possessed or consumed intoxicating beverages, misrepresented age, or repeatedly loitered in area of a liquor store
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Child under 10 years of age who has committed any act which if committed by an adult would be a crime under any federal, state, or local law (e.g. child under 10 commits burglary, murder, etc, child is guilty of a status offense rather than delinquent act).
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Child committed an offense applicable only to children
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Caretaker who has caused, encouraged or contributed to the child’s behaviors, or to the commission of delinquent acts
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After notice, a caretaker who has willfully failed to attend a meeting with the child’s teacher, school principal, or another appropriate school employee.
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Child who has been found incompetent to proceed with a delinquency matter
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Child who is found to engaged in cyberbullying.
Advantages
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Children and families have the opportunity to access services that are targeted to properly address the underlying causes of pre delinquent behavior.
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Following an extensive interview to assess the unique needs of each family, a family service plan is developed.
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Compliance with the service plan is monitored by FINS staff and other designated individuals for a maximum of six months without further judicial order.
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An IFSPA shall not be considered an adjudication. The child and family are not brought before a judge/court unless the underlying FINS ground(s) continues to exist and there is failure by family members to cooperate with the mandates of the service plan.
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FINS proceedings include both informal and formal processes. The informal process is designed to focus on the family unit, rather than just the child. Informal FINS goals are to promote early intervention and help facilitate the receipt of needed services, rather than court intervention and imposing a punishment.
history
The Families in Need of Services (FINS) became effective in all courts having juvenile jurisdiction on July 1, 1994, as Title VII of the Louisiana Children’s Code. This title of the Children’s Code represents a substantial consolidation of former proceedings known under the Code of Juvenile Procedure as Children in Need of Supervision [CINS] and Parents in Need of Supervision [PINS]. The Families in Need of Services [FINS] process is designed to permit the juvenile court to return to its original role of coordinating community resources to assist and reinforce the family in an effort to prevent delinquency and family disintegration.
we connect you.
FINS case managers will work to connect you and your family with the best resources and services in your area.
we assist you.
FINS will help you communicate with providers to assure you are receiving appropriate supportive services.
we support you.
FINS case managers will keep in touch, at your request, to support you with parenting tips and life skills.
