- Youth willfully does not attend school regularly
- Often disobeys parents, guardians, or other authority figures despite appropriate parental attempts to intervene
- AWOL (Runaway) whereabouts unknown for over 24 hours
- Substance abuse without treatment cooperation.
Persons In Need of Supervision (PINS)
Family Services Team (FST)
More information:
- Secure Detention
- What if my child (under 16) is arrested?
- Youth Services/Detention Family Court Location
- What if a Law Enforcement Officer issues my child an Appearance ticket?
- Juvenile Delinquency Services Team
- Family Services Team (PINS)
- What if my child (under 18) runs away from home?
- Non-Secure Detention
- Are you worried about your child's behavior?
- Links to Community Services
- Maps
478 Main Street
2nd Floor
(Also Pearl Street Entrance)
(716) 858-8349
Children’s Services Intake and Persons In Need of Supervision (PINS) Diversion Services.
The Family Services Team assesses each youth’s risks/strengths and the family’s needs, to determine optimal linkage to community based services.
The Family Service Team may be able to assist you if:
The Family Services Team assesses each youth's risks/strengths and the family's needs, to determine optimal linkage to community based services or services within the Erie County Department of Social Services.
The goal of the Family Service Team is to assist families in stabilizing their own home environments and preventing youth from penetrating the Juvenile Justice System if possible and appropriate.
What is PINS?
Persons In Need of Supervision is a term used to describe youth with serious behavioral problems who come to the attention of the Juvenile Justice System, whereby an adjudication of PINS is made in Court.
Who is a PINS Diversion Eligible Youth?
Youth under the age of 18 who show a pattern of ungovernable behavior, such as running away, curfew violations, alcohol and/or drug abuse, violent or destructive behavior, or severe school truancy.
As defined by law, a PINS is “a youth less than 18 years of age who does not attend school; or is incorrigible, ungovernable, or habitually disobedient and beyond the control of a parent or other person legally responsible for such child’s care; or a youth who violates the provision of 221.05 of the penal law (unlawful possession of marijuana).”
Who can bring a complaint?
Most PINS behavioral complaints are made by parents, or, in the case of severe truancy problems, by school districts.
