Study of the PINS System in New York City: Results and Implications

• NCJ Number: 195289
• Author(s): Eric Weingartner; Andrea Weitz; Ajay Khashu; Robert Hope; Megan Golden
• Date Published: March 2002
• Length: 38 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: New York City Admin for Children's Services
• Corporate Author: Vera Institute of Justice
• Sale Source: Vera Institute of Justice; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Downloaded June 8, 2002

Annotation

This document presents the results of a study of 200 cases referred to the New York State Persons in Need of Supervision program.

Abstract

The article discusses the State of New York's Persons In Need of Supervision or PINS program which is designed to provide support services to families with children with behavioral problems. The PINS system includes referral to both community-based and foster care services. Prior to July 1, 2002 the PINS program was open only to children younger than 16. The article reviews the Vera Institute's study of the efficacy of PINS and the potential effects of the addition of 16 and 17 year olds to PINS eligibility. The data includes an intensive study of 200 PINS cases in Brooklyn and Queens. The authors found that in the vast majority of cases that resulted in foster care referral, the child was later returned home and was done so without referral for other behavior management services. The article includes discussion of the potential applications and programmatic tools available in the PINS system, the foster care system, and the limitations of foster care in addressing the behavior problems that lead families to seek PINS assistance. 18 figures, 47 notes