Families In Need of Services (FINS) is a legislatively created juvenile court proceeding enacted into law upon passage of the Louisiana Children’s Code in 1991.

PURPOSE

FINS goals are to reduce formal juvenile court involvement whenever possible while generating appropriate community services to benefit the child and improve family relations.

When Should F.I.N.S. Assistance Be Requested?

• a child is ungovernable;
• a child is truant or has willfully and repeatedly violated lawful school rules;
• a child is a runaway;
• a child has repeatedly possessed or consumed intoxicating beverages or has misrepresented or deceived their age for the purpose of purchasing or receiving such beverages from any person or has repeatedly loitered around any place where such beverages are the principal commodities sold or handled;
• a child under ten years of age has committed any act which if committed by an adult would be a crime under any federal, state or local law;
• a caretaker has caused, encouraged or contributed to a child’s behaviors enumerated in this above, or to the commission of delinquent acts;
• a caretaker, after notice, has willfully failed to attend a meeting with the child’s teacher, school principal or other appropriate school employee to discuss the child’s truancy, repeated violation of school rules, or other serious educational problems; or
• a child has committed an offense applicable only to children.

Referrals are accepted by the FINS Division from parents, law enforcement, schools or concerned adults.

To get a FINS referral form click HERE.

If you’re a DCFS employee submitting a FINS referral, click HERE.

Any school board employees submitting a FINS Referral, click HERE.