Children in Need of Services (CINS) & Families in Need of Services (FINS)

The goal of both the residential and community counseling CINS / FINS Program is to reduce juvenile crime, while assisting, supporting, and strengthening the youth and families in Hillsborough County.

Program components

The Hillsborough County CINS / FINS Program has two components: residential and community counseling services, designed to help families whose youth exhibit risk factors that make them more susceptible to becoming involved with Juvenile Delinquency or Dependency system. Services in both the CINS / FINS Residential and community counseling Programs are provided free of charge and additional referral options are available to all youth and families served in the program. Bi-lingual services are available in both the CINS / FINS Residential and community counseling Program.  

Youth served

We serve young people who are experiencing:

• Ungovernable behaviors including truancy or school failures, non-compliance with parents
• Tobacco, alcohol, or drug abuse
• Anxiety or Depression
• Behavioral problems including running away from home, poor peer relations, attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity, and oppositional defiant behavior
• Grief or loss
• Family issues
• Homelessness
• Domestic Violence
• Probation Respite

(CINS / FINS) Residential Program

This is a short-term residential respite program which offers a youth ages 10 to 17 an average length of stay of 14 days. Youth receive:

• A psychosocial assessment
• Individual, group and family counseling, to learn more appropriate behavior and participate in family life
• A physical health screening
• Educational support and tutoring services
• Recreational services
• Volunteer work/community service
• Linkages to community services for aftercare
• Behavioral incentives and recognition opportunities
• 30 and 60 day follow-up

(CINS / FINS) Community Counseling

Trained counselors provide individual and family therapy to youth ages 6 to 17 at sites throughout Hillsborough County with flexible daytime and evening hours. Families receive:

• A psychosocial assessment
• Individual, group and family counseling
• Linkages to community services for aftercare
• 30 and 60 day follow-up

(CINS / FINS) Case Staffing Committee

The Case Staffing Committee allows parents to seek services for their children. In cases where voluntary services are not used, the parent can file a Seven-Day Letter which is a formal document to request their child's case be brought to the attention of a judge for assistance. 

Screening for services

• CINS Residential Program Services Screening is available 24 hours a day. Call (813) 264-3807 Ext. 53159 or (813) 272-6606.
• CINS Community Counseling Screening Services contact Lynne Tierney at (813) 264-3807 Ext. 53108