Lutheran Services Florida offers both residential and non-residential, crisis counseling programs for troubled youth and their families at locations in Broward County, Ft. Myers and in the Panhandle (see left column).  The centers provide individual and family counseling services.  Helping families resolve conflict and remain together is the goal of the programs.

 

CINS/FINS

The counseling services provided are part of a state-sponsored program called a Child in Need of Services (CINS), defined by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) as a child who has been found by the court to be a runaway, habitually (often) truant, or ungovernable (does not obey you).  A Family in Need of Services (FINS) is the term used for a family that has a child who is displaying any of the problem behaviors above.  For a complete description of the CINS/FINS programs sponsored by the Department of Juvenile Justice, click here.

 

SCREENING & ASSESSMENT

Screening is the beginning of gathering information about you and your child that helps decide if your are eligible to receive CINS/FINS services.  You will be asked questions.  You are not eligible for/cannot get services if your child is currently under supervision for delinquency (Department of Juvenile Justice) or dependency (Department of Children and Families).  Assessment is the further review and evaluation of the information you give to help you and your child to get the right services.

LSF is a designated SAFE PLACE agency and, as such, serves as a partner with local businesses and schools to help youth in trouble.  Project SAFE PLACE is a national network of voluntary community sites where youth in need of help can go for safe refuge.  LSF is the designated SAFE PLACE provider in areas with LSF shelters.


PROGRAM

• Adolescents 10-17 years of age referred by self, County Sheriff's Office, or any community agency

• The Family Intervention Program

• In-home intervention

• Family Preservation

• Adolescent

• CINS/FINS

• Truancy

• Counseling