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C.H.I.N.S.

Child in Need of Services

Information obtained from: Division For Children, Youth, and Families

Brochures available at the department

Is your family experiencing:
  • Repeated truancy from school by your child?
  • Repeated running away of your child?

There is help!

There are local and state programs to help support youth and families going through difficult times.

What can you do when you're concerned about these types of behaviors?
  • Some families seek support from relatives or friends.
  • Some families contact local community agencies or programs. 
    • These programs can help in many ways, for example by offering mediation, diversion, or mental health services.
What happens when you've tried these options and your family needs more support?
  • Some families get added support services through Juvenile Court and DCYF by filing a "CHINS" (Child in Need of Services) petition.

But here's the good news!

In the past, DCYF has offered these added support services to families ONLY when a "CHINS" petition was filed in Juvenile Court. NOW, these same support services are available to families WITHOUT Juvenile Court involvement.

DCYF Support Services For Families with Adolescents

If your family has tried to work out problem behaviors such as youth running away, truancy from school, or continued parent-child conflicts and is running out of options...

DCYF CAN HELP, Here's How:

Just call DCYF toll-free at: 1-800-894-5533 -and- offer added support services designed to strengthen your family's ability to get through difficult times.

Mission Statement

DCYF is committed to the support of families to ensure the protection of children and the communities in which they live. To accomplish this we will provide leadership and develop community collaboration in the creation of public policies and programs which strengthen and assist families. We are dedicated to providing services in the least intrusive manner possible while respecting the dignity of the families we serve.

State of New Hampshire
Department of Health and Human Services
Division for Children, Youth, and Families