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Children in Need of Services (CHINS)
What is CHINS?
- Habitually truant from school
- Habitually disobedient of the reasonable commands of his or her parent/guardian/legal parent/guardian/legal parent/guardian/legal custodi
- Runaway
- Committed an offense applicable only to a child
- Wanders or loiters about the streets, highway, or any public place, between the hours of 12:00 A.M and 5:00 A.M. Disobeys the terms of supervision contained in a court order which has been directed to such child, who has been adjudicated a CHINS
- Patronized any bar where alcoholic beverages are being sold, unaccompanied by his or her parent parent/guardian/legal custodian, or who possesses alcoholic beverages
- Committed a delinquent act and is in need of supervision but not in need of treatment o rehabilitation
Who can file a CHINS Complaint?
A complaint is an initial pleading describing the circumstances believed to require the court’s intervention It can be filed by the child’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian, or by a DFCS employee, a school official, a law enforcement officer, or an attorney.
What services are provided?
- Gathering information to assess the family's needs and crisis counseling
- Making referrals to public and private providers for such services as counseling, substance abuse assessments, and parent training, afterschool tutoring and summer enrichment programs
- Staffing with the Richmond County Juvenile Court CHINS Coordinator
- Making recommendations and reporting progress to the court
How do I contact the CHINS Office?
All complaints can be filed at the CHINS offices located at
Tubman Learning Center-3rd floor-1740 Walton Way-Augusta, Georgia 30904 and Richmond County Municipal Building-Suite 610- 535 Telfair Street-Augusta, Georgia 30901
CHINS Coordinator-Dr. Audrey R. Amistad
[email protected] 706-796-4965 Ext. 5204