adjudication
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A guilty finding for juvenile delinquents; the equivalent to a conviction for an adult accused of a crime.
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aftercare
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Programs and services mandated by OCFS for a child released from OCFS custody; the equivalent of parole in the adult criminal system.
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commitment facility
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An institution in which children may be held after they are found to have committed a criminal act; the equivalent to a prison in the adult correctional system.
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detention facility
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An institution in which children may be held while delinquency proceedings are underway; the equivalent to a jail in the adult correctional system.
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disposition
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The equivalent of sentencing in the adult criminal system.
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juvenile delinquent
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A child between the ages of seven and fifteen who is found to have committed an act that would be a crime if committed by an adult; delinquency cases are reviewed by the Family Court.
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limited secure facility
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A facility classified by OCFS as a restrictive environment in which children found to be juvenile delinquents are held.
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non-secure facility
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A facility classified by OCFS as the least restrictive environment in which children found to be juvenile delinquents are held.
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OCFS
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The New York State Office of Children and Family Services; a state agency whose Department of Rehabilitative Services administers juvenile placement facilities and programs and aftercare. Other departments of OCFS administer foster care, services for disabled adults, and other programs.
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OJJDP
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Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; a federal government agency which provides grants to state and local juvenile justice agencies, develops policy, and funds research and training on juvenile justice issues.
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PINS
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Person In Need of Supervision; under §712 of New Yorks Family Court Act, a child who is found to be truant or incorrigible, ungovernable, or habitually disobedient and beyond the lawful control of a parent or guardian, or who possesses marijuana. (See status offense).
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placement
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One of four dispositions (sentences) available for juvenile delinquents or juvenile offenders; similar to incarceration in the adult system, but juveniles can be placed in relatively home-like non-secure facilities.
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reception center
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A facility in which children remanded to OCFS custody are held for an initial period. Reception centers are charged with assessing childrens needs to determine where they should be placed.
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secure facility
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A facility classified by OCFS as the most restrictive environment in which children found to be juvenile offenders, and some children found to be juvenile delinquents, are held.
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status offense
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An act that is only illegal when committed by a child, such as truancy, disobedience of parents, and incorrigibility. In New York, status offenders are defined and processed as Persons in Need of Supervision. (See PINS).
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YDA
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Youth Division Aide; a staff person within an OCFS facility.
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YDC
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Youth Division Counselor; the head of a unit within an OCFS facility.
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