LSF's CINS/FINS Program

Receives Exceptional Rating

From Florida Department of Juvenile Justice

27 March 2009 - TLW

Lutheran Services Florida's program for Children in Need of Services/Families in Need of Services (CINS/FINS) in Fort Myers has received an "exceptional rating" from the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).  The rating recognizes the LSF program for exceeding the department's quality assurance standards.

"It is truly a great accomplishment to be the only CINS/FINS non-residential program in the state of Florida to receive an exceptional rating from DJJ," said LSF's Southwest Region Director Patricia Leonard.  "All of us at LSF are very grateful for the outstanding work that this staff does."

The CINS/FINS program assists youth and families with youth who are exhibiting significant behavioral problems, such as disobedience, substance abuse, habitual truancy or running away.  (For a description of the program see http://www.djj.state.fl.us/Prevention/CINSFINS.html).   LSF has been operating a CINS/FINS program in Ft. Myers since 1992.

"DJJ visits each program they fund on an annual basis to review and audit the program performance and adherence to quality assurance standards," explained John P. Mojica, LSF's Clinical Services Manager for the CINS/FINS program.  He went on to say that the exceptional rating was given for "going above and beyond Standard 2" of DJJ's quality assurance standards, whose goal is to "provide an array of screening, intake, and assessment services designed to preserve the unity and integrity of the family and to emphasize parental responsibility for the behavior of their youth."  (See http://www.djj.state.fl.us/QA/standards09/cinsfins09.html for DJJ Quality Assurance Standards.)

"LSF has the best CINS/FINS staff in the state of Florida, and this exceptional rating is evidence to that," said Mojica.  "They are the hardest working staff I have ever worked with. They are very dedicated to their clients and understand the concept of team work." 

LSF operates CINS/FINS programs in Pensacola and Lauderdale Lakes in addition to Ft. Myers.  The LSF CINS/FINS staff in Ft. Myers includes:  Counselors Lauren Swindle, Larry Barnhill, Carolina Ferrer, Scarlett Olivares, Shelia Houser and Jackie Seaton, Administrative Staff Annette Matheson, Marilyn Reimuth, and Courtney Pilotto and Managers JP Mojica and Alex Olivares.

Pictured above right: The staff of LSF's Ft. Myers CINS/FINS program celebrates their singular exceptional rating in the state, from l-r, Alvita Hill, Alex Olivares, Larry Barnhill, Scarlett Olivares, Jackie Seaton, Courtney Pilotto, Marilyn Reimuth, and JP Mojica.

Pictured below left:  The office of LSF's Ft. Myers CINS/FINS program.

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