What is the difference between PINS intake/diversion and PINS probation?
A. PINS diversion is the process by which a child voluntarily agrees to be monitored by a Probation Officer while agreeing to abide by certain “conditions of adjustment”. These conditions are a set of rules, agreed upon by the referral source (parent, school, etc…), the assigned PO and ultimately the child. The PO conducts a thorough assessment and provides the child with the opportunity to develop a case plan based on the child’s/family’s strengths and the child/family’s needs. Successful adjustment of a PINS diversion case depends on the level of cooperation by the child and his/her family. Community-based services are often recommended to children and their families in order to assist the child and family in completing the PINS diversion program successfully. It is those cases that are not successfully adjusted that get referred to Family Court. At that stage, the PINS referral becomes a PINS petition.
