WHILE YOU SUPPORT YOUR FAMILY
WE SUPPORT YOU
What We're About
Informal FINS (Families in Need of Services) is a legal prevention process designed for children and youth who exhibit high-risk behaviors.
The goal is to provide supportive services without requiring court involvement.
Process Overview
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Parents or guardians
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Schools
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Law enforcement
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Community agencies
What Happens After a Referral?
If a referral is accepted based on one of the FINS grounds and venue being met, then the family will be contacted to move further along in the intake process.
Who Can Refer
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Child who is truant (5 or more unexcused absences/tardies), or has willfully and repeatedly violated lawful school rules. RS 17:233
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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.
Informal FINS 10 Grounds Article 730
01
Individual & Family Counseling
Confidential counseling sessions to help youth and families manage conflict and build healthier relationships.
02
Case Management
03
Crisis Intervention
04
Family Mediation
05
Short Term Shelter for Youth
06
School Attendance & Behavioral Support
Our Services
New Orleans FINS
By The Numbers
Empowering Families Though Early Interventions
10%
TRUANCY STATS
In the Spring of 2023 school year, approximately 10% of New Orleans Public Schools students (~4,000 students) were chronically absent.
1,150
REFERRALS
Between 2006–2008:
~1,150 referrals for 1,028 youth, with 58% for ungovernable behavior and 61% referred by schools.
+19%
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
As of 2024, NOPD report show a 19% increase in both domestic violence incidents and domestic disturbance calls compared to 2023.
+7,000
FAMILIES SERVED ANNUALLY
Over 7,000 familes have been connected to voluntary services through FINS across 41 judicial districts and 3 city courts each year.
Our Purpose
Guiding Families
At FINS, our purpose is to support families through early, compassionate intervention that strengthens relationships and addresses challenges before they escalate. Click here to meet the staff.
Prevent
juvenile delinquency and child abuse
Improve
family functioning
Reduce
the need for formal court interventions
Identify
service gaps and develop local solutions
Promote
accountability through collaborative problem-solving amongst families, schools, and service providers
Empower
families to build long-term stability through early intervention & community engagement
Upcoming Events
Resource Corner
View our upcoming events and resources.