Children In Need of Services (CINS)/Families In Need of Services (FINS): An adjudication status for a child or a family for whom there is no pending investigation into an allegation or suspicion of abuse, neglect, or abandonment; no pending referral alleging the child is delinquent; or no current supervision by the Department of Juvenile Justice or the Department of Children and Family Services for an adjudication of dependency or delinquency. A family in need of services is not an adjudicated status.

The child must also:

• Have persistently run away from the child’s parents or legal custodians despite reasonable efforts; and/or;
• Be habitually truant from school, while subject to compulsory school attendance, despite reasonable efforts to remedy the situation; and/or;
• Have persistently disobeyed the reasonable and lawful demands of the child’s parents or legal custodian, and to be beyond their control.

(Florida Statute Chapter 984)

Florida Network of Youth and Family Services, Inc. 

The Florida Network of Youth and Family Services, Inc. is a not-for-profit statewide association representing agencies which serve lockouts/homeless, runaway, and troubled youth ages 10 to 17 and their families. Services include: shelter, non-residential counseling, Case/Service Plan, Case Management Services, Adjudication Services, CINS Petition Process, Staff Secure Services, Physically Secure Services, and Case Termination.

Mission: The Florida Network values young people and therefore creates safe pathways to their future by building strong families and communities.

Vision: Florida will be a safe place where all young people reach their full potential.

PACE Center for Girls, Inc.

Practical Academic Cultural Education (PACE) Center for Girls is a Florida-based, nationally recognized not-for-profit organization that provides non-residential, prevention, intervention, and diversion services for at-risk girls and young women ages 12 to 17. PACE uses a comprehensive and holistic model that integrates social services, education, and career readiness in a safe, gender-responsive environment that reflects an understanding of the lives of girls and responds to their strengths and challenges.

Mission: PACE provides girls and young women an opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, training and advocacy.

Philosophy: PACE values all girls and young women, believing each one deserves an opportunity to find her voice, achieve her potential and celebrate a life defined by responsibility, dignity, serenity and grace.

PACE Center Contact List

Florida Youth Challenge Academy (FLYCA)

FLYCA is a 17 1/2 month voluntary program geared toward Florida's 16 to 18 year old at-risk youth. The program consists of a 5 1/2 month residential phase and a 12 month post-residential phase. The residential phase of the program takes place in a highly disciplined and motivational environment promoting structure and academics along with leadership, health, community service, life skills, job skills, physical fitness and citizenship. The post-residential phase takes place after graduation from the residential phase and is a time when the cadet uses the skills learned in the residential phase through their placement in either a job, further education, or the military. The cadet is matched with a mentor during the residential phase and this mentor helps to guide the cadet during the 12 month post-residential phase.

Mission: To provide a high disciplined and motivational environment, free from outside distractions, which fosters academics, leadership development, personal growth, self-esteem, and physical fitness for qualifying high school dropouts.

Outward Bound

Outward Bound helps teens and their families transition their lives in more meaningful and positive directions. Outward Bound emphasizes character development, academic achievement and social responsibility to reduce the risk of dropping out of school, substance abuse and future delinquency. Programs consist of 20-day wilderness expeditions and a 20 to 24-day follow up component that takes place in the students’ home and school environments. Parent involvement is required.

Mission: To inspire at-risk and committed delinquent youth to remain crime free and stay in school to reach their full potential in education, community, career and life, through attaining academic achievement, character development and social responsibility.