Adolescent Arrests rates 10-15 years

adolescent arrests by gender

Males

Females

Violent Index Crimes include murder, non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Property Index Crimes are burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft. A distinction is made between violent and property crimes because their arrest trends generally differ.

A juvenile arrest is to be counted on each separate occasion a juvenile is taken into custody, notified, or cited by a law enforcement official for appearance before a court or other authority. A juvenile arrest is to be recorded in the jurisdiction where the arrest occurs (which may not be the jurisdiction where the crime occurred), and only the most serious offense that was committed during a crime incident or multiple crime incidents is counted. It is important to note that many persons who commit crimes are never arrested, a single arrest can involve multiple crime incidents, and more than one person can be arrested for the same crime incident.

The adolescent arrest rates are calculated by dividing the number of reported adolescent arrests for Violent and Property Index Crimes (or, for adolescents not treated by the law as adults, arrests for acts which would constitute violent or property index crimes if committed by adults) by an estimate of the population of young people of the same age group in that county.

The State Central Register receives reports concerning alleged incidents of abuse and maltreatment in families and certain publicly licensed settings. A report becomes "indicated" when there is some credible evidence that a child has experienced abuse or maltreatment. This indicator presents the number of indicated reports in a given calendar year and the percentage of reports that are indicated in a given year. The percentage is determined by dividing the total number of indicated reports by the total number of reports. Reports can include more than one child and more than one type of abuse or maltreatment; therefore, this indicator is report-oriented, not child-oriented.

In those situations where, in order to protect the child, CPS finds it necessary to remove the child from the home, or CPS finds that families are not complying with the rehabilitative services deemed necessary to maintain a child safely at home, the law instructs CPS to seek the authority of the court to sanction the removal of the child or to mandate the services.These proceedings are initiated by filing a petition in Family Court charging neglect or abuse.

The rate of children in indicated reports of child abuse and maltreatment that result in petitions to Family Court is determined by dividing the number of unique children in indicated reports with petitions filed in Family Court in a given year by the total number of unique children in indicated reports of child abuse and maltreatment in that year.

The rate for children removed is calculated by dividing the total number of children with a removal date at or before the initial court hearing by the total number of children with abuse and neglect petitions filed in that year.

The rate of children removed at or before petition filing date is calculated by dividing the number of children with a removal date equal to or less than the petition date in a given year by the total number of children with abuse and neglect petitions filed in that year.

The rate of children removed at the initial court hearing is calculated by dividing the number of children removed at the initial court hearing by the total number of children with abuse and neglect petitions filed in that year.

The profiles show the number and percent of children (i.e., persons less than 18 years old), who received public assistance in New York State at the end of the respective years.

Children were counted as receiving public assistance at the end of the year if they received aid under the State’s Family Assistance (FA) program or the State’s Safety Net (SN) program. A federally subsidized program, FA is the state's primary public assistance program for families with children. SN, a state funded general assistance program, provides public assistance for single adults, childless couples, and a relatively small number of families with children who are not eligible for aid under FA. Prior to and including 1997, children were counted as receiving public assistance if they received aid under either the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program or the Home Relief (HR) program, programs that predated the FA and SN programs discussed above.

The juvenile delinquency original petitions filed result in various dispositions, as described below.

Petitions resulting in Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal (ACD)-- this is an adjournment of a proceeding for a specified duration,typically six months in a juvenile delinquency case, in anticipation of the ultimate dismissal of the petition. A respondent given an ACD is expected to behave lawfully and in cooperation of adults and service providers for the six month adjournment, and, if at the end of this time the respondent has followed the direction of the Court's order, the petition is dismissed and the respondent will not face adjudication. If, however, the respondent violates the conditions of the ACD, the matter is brought back into Court for resumed proceedings. This is calculated by dividing the total number of juvenile delinquency original petitions having an ACD outcome by the total number of juvenile delinquency original petitions filed.

Petitions resulting in Conditional Discharge-- For a child to be adjudicated a juvenile delinquent, the court must determine that the child's behavior or actions warrant the intervention of court ordered supervision, treatment or confinement. A conditional discharge is one dispositional outcome that the court may order upon adjudication, and is generally considered to be one of the least serious consequences that a juvenile delinquent can face. A conditional discharge is the recommendation that the respondent will be allowed to live at home without court supervision but with certain specific conditions regarding the child's behavior that must be followed. For example, a respondent may be ordered to refrain from contact with a certain individual or to avoid contact with law enforcement. The conditions of the discharge last for up to one year, at which point the case is dismissed if the conditions are met. This is calculated by dividing the total number of juvenile delinquency original petitions with conditional discharges by the total number of juvenile delinquency original petitions.

Petitions resulting in Placements In some cases, the court may determine that a respondent who has been adjudicated a juvenile delinquent exhibits treatment needs that can only be met by placing the child out of his or her home for a designated period of time. Juvenile delinquents are typically placed for up to one year, although in more serious circumstances, the court can place the respondent away from home for up to two years. When placement is warranted, custody of the respondent is transferred to a social service agency, either the local Department of Social Services, or as in New York City, the Administration for Children's Services, or sometimes in more serious cases, the Office of Children and Family Services. These agencies are bound by state law to identify and obtain the 'least restrictive environment' necessary for a respondent to receive appropriate treatment. There are numerous levels of restrictiveness that a respondent may be placed in, depending on the child's individual treatment needs and future goals. These levels can range from a group home setting affording a relatively high degree of earned freedom, to a community-based residential facility with a dorm-like setting, to a locked facility akin to a more restrictive environment. All respondents requiring placement are monitored by the custodial agency, which determines treatment progress and returns the case to the court's attention when necessary. This is calculated by dividing the total number of juvenile delinquency original petitions resulting in placement divided by the total number of juvenile delinquency original petitions filed.

Petitions resulting in Probation/Supervision When a respondent is adjudicated a juvenile delinquent, the court may determine that the respondent is in need of court supervision to ensure that the respondent obeys certain expectations and conditions of behavior. In these cases, the court can direct the respondent to complete a term of probation, lasting up to two years, during which the respondent lives at home but is monitored by the Probation Department. Depending on the treatment needs of the respondent, the court may order the respondent to participate in Intensive Probation, which provides additional support in terms of contact and monitoring. The Probation Department keeps the court apprised of the status of the probationer's case. This is calculated by dividing the total number of juvenile delinquency original petitions with probation orders by the total number of juvenile delinquency original petitions filed.

Petitions resulting in Withdrawal/Dismissal Withdrawals and dismissals generally occur when it has been deemed that there is not enough credible evidence to substantiate the allegations of the petition, that there are extenuating circumstances that mitigate the allegation, or if further investigation has exonerated the respondent. These dispositions can also occur if during the course of the court process, the respondent shows significant initiative and improvement in following court directives and improving behavior. This is calculated by dividing the total number of juvenile delinquency original petitions with a disposition of withdrawn/dismissed by the total number of juvenile delinquency original petitions filed.

Petitions resulting in Other dispositions Although petitions are most commonly disposed through a withdrawal, dismissal, adjournment in contemplation of dismissal, order of supervision, or placement, there are still many circumstances by which cases can be resolved. These miscellaneous outcomes are grouped together as 'other' and include transfers to other courts, transfers to other proceedings, suspended judgments, extensions of placement or extensions of probation. This is calculated by dividing the total number of juvenile delinquency original petitions classified in this other category by the total number of juvenile delinquency original petitions filed.

This indicator represents respondents who are placed as an outcome of being adjudicated a juvenile offender resulting from a designated felony petition. Juvenile offenders have been found guilty of more serious offenses than juvenile delinquents , and thus, are subject to harsher consequences in terms of court outcomes. Due to a felony finding, a juvenile offender can face a maximum stay in placement with a New York State Office of Children and Family Services-operated secure facility up to the age of eighteen, dependent on the severity of the felony committed. This indicator is presented separately because in most designated felony cases, the typical result of a felony finding is placement rather than a less restrictive alternative. This is calculated by dividing the total number of juvenile delinquency placements with felony findings by the total number of juvenile delinquency placements.

This indicator presents the rate of juvenile delinquency placements per 1,000 county residents between the ages of 10 and 17 years of age in the general population. The rate allows a cross-county comparison to be made regarding the incidence of residential placements as a result of juvenile delinquency petitions. It is calculated by dividing the total number of juvenile delinquency placements by an estimate of the number of youth ages 10 through 17 years in the general population, then multiplying by 1,000.

In some cases, a violation of petition can result in a respondent being placed residentially. In the case of a respondent failing to respond to less serious court intervention, such as intensive supervision services and probation recommendations, the probation officer may file a violation petition recommending to the court that the Probation Department has exhausted its resources and that the respondent is in need of residential treatment. The court will then review the report of the probation officer and may then place the respondent in the custody of the State or local Department of Social Services for residential placement. This is calculated by dividing the total number of juvenile delinquency violation petitions with placement outcomes by the total number of juvenile delinquency violations petitions filed.

The petitions filed result in various dispositions, as described below.

Petitions resulting in Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal (ACD) This is an adjournment of a proceeding for a specified duration,typically six months in a Person in Need of Supervision (PINS) case, in anticipation of the ultimate dismissal of the petition. A respondent given an ACD is expected to behave lawfully and in cooperation of adults and service providers for the six month adjournment, and, if at the end of this time the respondent has followed the direction of the court's order, the petition is dismissed and the respondent will not face adjudication. If, however, the respondent violates the conditions of the ACD, the matter is brought back into court for resumed proceedings. This is calculated by dividing the total number of PINS petitions having an ACD outcome by the total number of original PINS petitions filed.

Petitions resulting in Placements In some cases, the court may determine that a respondent who has been adjudicated a PINS exhibits treatment needs that can only be met by placing the child out of his or her home for a designated period of time. PINS respondents can only be placed for up to one year, although the original term of placement can be modified by a request to the court, if appropriate. When placement is warranted, custody of the respondent is transferred to a social service agency, either the local Department of Social Services, or as in New York City, the Administration for Children's Services. PINS respondents can only be placed in a non-secure type of placement, meaning that they cannot be placed in locked group homes or residential facilities. Among the non-secure placement options, there is still some variation in the level of restrictiveness available and PINS respondents are placed according to their individual treatment needs. All respondents requiring placement are monitored by the custodial agency, which determines treatment progress and returns the case to the court's attention when necessary. This indicator is calculated by dividing the total number of PINS petitions resulting in placement divided by the total number of PINS petitions filed.

Petitions resulting in Probation/Supervision When a respondent is adjudicated a PINS, the court may determine that the respondent is in need of court supervision to ensure that the respondent obeys certain expectations and conditions of behavior. In these cases, the court can direct the respondent to complete an Order of Probation, lasting up to one year, during which the respondent lives at home but is monitored by the Probation Department. Depending on the treatment needs of the respondent, the court may order the respondent to participate in Intensive Probation, which provides additional support in terms of contact and monitoring. The Probation Department keeps the court apprised of the status of the probationer's case. This is calculated by dividing the total number of PINS petitions resulting in probation orders by the total number of PINS petitions filed.

Petitions resulting in Withdrawal/Dismissal Sometimes a PINS case is disposed at the initial appearance, resolving the petition and ending the court proceeding. Most times when this occurs, the petition is either withdrawn by the prosecuting agency or dismissed by the judge. Withdrawals and dismissals generally occur when it has been deemed that there is not enough credible evidence to substantiate the allegations of the petition, that there are extenuating circumstances that mitigate the allegation, or if further investigation has exonerated the respondent. This is calculated by dividing the total number of of withdrawn/dismissed PINS petitions by the total number of PINS petitions filed.

Petitions resulting in Other dispositions Although PINS petitions are most commonly disposed through a withdrawal, dismissal, adjournment in contemplation of dismissal, order of supervision, or placement, there are still many circumstances by which cases can be resolved. These miscellaneous outcomes are grouped together here, and include transfers to other courts, transfers to other proceedings, suspended judgments, extensions of placement, or extensions of probation. This indicator is calculated by dividing the total number of PINS miscellaneous petitions by the total number of PINS petitions filed.

The Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS) placement rate allows for a cross-county and regional comparison regarding the incidence of residential placements as a result of PINS petitions and is calculated by dividing the number of PINS petitions resulting in placements by a population estimate of the number of youth ages 10 to 17 years in the general population then multiplying that by 1,000.

In some cases, a violation petition can result in a respondent being placed residentially. In the case of a respondent failing to respond to less serious court interventions such as intensive supervision services and probation recommendations, the probation officer may file a violation petition recommending to the court that the Probation Department has exhausted its resources and that the respondent is in need of residential treatment. The court will then review the report of the probation officer and may then place the respondent in the custody of the State or local Department of Social Services for residential placement. This indicator is calculated as the total number of violation petitions resulting in placement by the total number of PINS violation petitions.

A number of indicators measure the amount of time spent in the court process.

Median days from petition to disposition for PINS original petitions -- This indicator measures the total median days it takes Family Courts to process Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS) petitions from filing date to case disposition and final outcome. This time frame includes the entire court process and provides an overview of the median length of time it takes a PINS petition to become resolved through the Family Court system. The petitions represented here here do not exclude petitions that were withdrawn or dismissed at the first appearance. This indicator is calculated by finding the median number of days per case between the petition filing date and the disposition date.

Median days from petition to disposition for PINS cases involving detention -- A respondent is typically remanded to detention in two week increments, which corresponds with the usual length of time until the next court appearance. A respondent cannot legally remain in detention for 14 days or longer without a court review, so the next appearance date on the petition also serves as this review, and at that point the court will decide to either release the respondent from the detention center or continue to remand him/her until the next court appearance. The median number of days from petition to disposition is calculated for cases where the respondent spent time in detention while awaiting the outcome of the court process.

Median days from petition to disposition for PINS violation petitions -- Violation petitions may or may not result in the respondent being remanded to detention, depending on the severity of the infraction. This indicator is calculated by finding the median number of days between the violation petition filing date and the disposition date for these cases.

An adjournment is an order to postpone or suspend court proceedings until a later date, and for Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS) original petitions, adjournments can take place for a number of reasons. They may allow extra time for a respondent to undergo recommended assessments or evaluations, for a probation officer to complete an initial investigation of the child's situation and family circumstances, or to ensure that the child has had adequate time to discuss the PINS matter with his/her law guardian. For each case, adjournments are calculated by counting the number of appearances, excluding the initial appearance that took place up to the date of the case's disposition. The average is calculated by summing the number of appearances and dividing by the number of cases.

A Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS) petition can be filed on any child exhibiting problematic PINS behaviors prior to the age of eighteen. This indicator presents the average age at which New York State juveniles became the respondent of a PINS petition.

Sometimes Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS) petitions are resolved or disposed at the initial court appearance. This can take place for a number of reasons, for example, the petition may be withdrawn by the prosecuting attorney and dismissed by the court, the respondent may accept the terms of a conditional discharge, probation, or an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal, or the petition could be settled or transferred to another jurisdiction or the respondent could receive a suspended judgment. For whatever reason the case is disposed, the number of cases resolved or disposed at the initial court appearance are counted as the number of cases in which the initial appearance date is the same as the disposition date. The indicator is the number of these cases divided by the total number of PINS original petitions filed.

A juvenile delinquent is a person over the age of seven and less than sixteen who has committed an act that would constitute a crime if committed by an adult; therefore, all juvenile delinquency petitions are filed on children ranging from seven to fifteen years of age. This indicator presents the average age at which New York State juveniles became the respondent of a juvenile delinquency original petition, and is calculated by finding the mean age of all the respondents at the point of filing.

A number of indicators measure the amount of time spent in the court process.

Days from Petition to Disposition -- this indicator measures the median days it takes Family Courts to process Juvenile Delinquency petitions, from filing date to case disposition and final outcome. This time frame includes the entire court process and provides an overview of the median length of time it takes a juvenile delinquency original petition to become resolved through the Family Court system. The petitions counted in this number do not exclude petitions that were withdrawn or dismissed at the first appearance. This indicator is calculated by finding the median number of days from the petition filing date to the disposition date.

Days from Petition to Fact Finding -- this indicator measures the length of time between the filing of a juvenile delinquency petition and the Fact Finding hearing. The Fact Finding hearing is the juvenile delinquent's version of a criminal trial, except there is no jury present for this proceeding. During the hearing, the prosecuting agency attempts to prove that the allegations in the petition are true by presenting witnesses and other evidence. The respondents' attorneys may cross-examine these witnesses, and also present witnesses of their own to attempt to discredit the validity of the allegations. Once all the witnesses and evidence have been introduced and heard, the judge determines whether the prosecuting agency has proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the respondent has committed the acts alleged in the petition. If the judge decides that the burden of proof has not been met, the case is dismissed. If the judge does not make a finding that the acts alleged in the petition are true, the case will be moved on to a dispositional hearing to determine what outcome is appropriate for the respondent. This indicator is calculated by finding the median number of days between the petition filing date and the fact finding date.

Days from Fact Finding to Disposition -- this indicator measures the length of time between the resolution of the Fact Finding hearing and the outcome of the Dispositional hearing. This time can vary depending on the outcome of the Fact Finding hearing. Typically, after a Fact Finding hearing, the judge will order the Probation Department to complete an investigation report describing the respondent's behavior at home, school and in the community, and include a social and familial history. However, if the judge orders any extra reports to be completed, such as a psychological evaluation or a comprehensive assessment of functioning, the time between fact finding and disposition can possibly take longer than usual. Also, if the outcome of the fact finding hearing is a recommendation of placement, the availability of a bed at an appropriate facility can be a factor in how long it takes to complete a disposition. This indicator is calculated by finding the median number of days between the fact finding date and the disposition date.

Days from Petition to Disposition for Detention Cases -- A respondent is typically remanded to detention in two week increments, which corresponds to the usual length of time until the next court appearance. A juvenile cannot legally remain in detention for 14 days or longer without a court review, so the next appearance date on the petition also serves as this review, and at the point the court will decide to either release the juvenile from the detention center or continue the remand until the next court appearance. Median days spent in detention includes only case in which the respondent spent time in detention while awaiting the outcome of the court process. This is calculated by finding the median number of days between the petition filing and the disposition date for youth remanded to detention.

Days from filing Violation Petition to Disposition -- This measures the length of time that passes between the filing of a violation petition and the date of the petition's resolution at court. Violation petitions may or may not result in the respondent being remanded to detention, depending on the severity of the infraction. This is calculated as the median number of days between the violation petition filing date and the disposition date.

An adjournment is an order to postpone or suspend court proceedings until a later date. Juvenile delinquent original petition adjournments can take place for a number of reasons. They may allow extra time for a respondent to undergo recommended assessments or evaluations, for a probation officer to complete an initial investigation of the child's situation and family circumstances, or to ensure that the child has had adequate time to discuss the delinquency matter with their law guardian. For each case, adjournments are calculated by counting the number of appearances except the initial appearance that took place up to the date of the case's disposition. The total number of adjournments is divided by the number of cases.

There are certain very serious, violent acts that, by their nature, if committed by a 13-, 14- or 15-year old, enable the courts to treat the child as an adult in Criminal Court. A designated felony petition, filed by the District Attorney's Office, removes this type of case out of the Criminal Court and into Family Court, initiating a designated felony proceeding. If the allegations in the E-petition are found to be true, the respondent may then be adjudicated as a juvenile offender, and is subject to more serious penalties than a juvenile delinquent. This percent of original petitions that involve designated felonies (i.e., E-petitions) is calculated by dividing the total number of juvenile delinquency original petitions by the number of designated felony petitions.

Sometimes a juvenile delinquency petition is resolved or disposed at the initial appearance. This can take place for a number of reasons. For example the petition may be withdrawn by the prosecuting attorney and dismissed by the court; the respondent may accept the terms of a conditional discharge or an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal; the petition could be settled or transferred to another jurisdiction; or the respondent could receive a suspended judgment.

Cases disposed at initial appearance are those cases where the initial appearance date is the same as the disposition date. The percent of disposed cases is calculated by dividing the total number of cases disposed at the initial appearance by the total number of juvenile delinquency original petitions filed.

A respondent facing a juvenile delinquency charge may be placed in either a secure or non-secure detention facility at different points, either before or after adjudication or disposition during the progression of the case through the court process. This indicator only includes the cases in which the remand to detention occurred between the petition filing date and the date of case disposition. Cases in which a juvenile is taken to detention based on a decision by law enforcement prior to the initial appearance are not counted, and neither are cases in which a respondent is remanded to detention post-disposition, such as during a wait for a court-mandated placement to become available. This indicator is calculated by dividing the number of cases involving detention by the total number of juvenile delinquency original petitions filed.

New York State's Family Court Act asserts that detention should be used in delinquency cases only in response to two types of risk: (1) risk of failure to appear in court and (2) risk of re-arrest pending a court return date. Article 3, Section 320.5 states, "The court shall not direct detention unless it finds and states the facts and reasons for so finding that unless the respondent is detained: (a) there is a substantial probability that he/she will not appear in court on the return date; or (b) there is a serious risk that he/she may, before the return date, commit an act which, if committed by an adult, would constitute a crime."

The key distinction between secure and non-secure facilities is the level of restriction. Secure facilities are locked while non-secure facilities are not. Non-secure facilities are often termed 'staff-secure' as opposed to 'hardware-secure.'

Across the state, there are nine secure juvenile detention facilities located in seven jurisdictions: Albany, Erie, Monroe, Nassau, Onondaga, Westchester, and New York City. Counties that do not have their won secure option rely on out-of-county detention facilities. In addition, there are approximately 50 non-secure detention facilities across the state. Some counties have one or two non-secure facilities, often group homes that provide beds solely to the county. These facilities are typically privately run and staffed.

The number of unique individuals admitted to secure or non-secure juvenile detention facilities refers to an actual count of youth who were detained at any point in the calendar year, including those whose stay extended into the next year. If some youth were admitted more than once, the number of unique individuals may be smaller than the total number of admissions.

JD non-secure unique admissions rate This is calculated based on the number of unique admission of JD youth residents in each county to non-secure juvenile detention facilities in a given year (not necessarily in the same county) per 1,000 county residents between the ages of 10 and 17 years.

JD secure unique admissions rate This is calculated based on the number of unique admission of JD youth residents in each county to secure juvenile detention facilities in a given year (not necessarily in the same county) per 1,000 county residents between the ages of 10 and 17 years.

JD non-secure admissions rate This is calculated based on the total number of admissions of JD youth residents in each county to non-secure juvenile detention facilities in a given year (not necessarily in the same county) per 1,000 county residents between the ages of 10 and 17 years.

JD secure admissions rate This is calculated based on the total number of admissions of JD youth residents in each county to secure juvenile detention facilities in a given year (not necessarily in the same county) per 1,000 county residents between the ages of 10 and 17 years.

While juvenile delinquency jurisdiction in New York State ends at age 16, meaning that the young person must be under 16 at the time of arrest, it is not uncommon for JD youth to be 16 years or older during the latter parts of their case proceedings.

New York State's Family Court Act asserts that detention should be used in delinquency cases only in response to two types of risk: (1) risk of failure to appear in court and (2) risk of re-arrest pending a court return date. Article 3, Section 320.5 states, "The court shall not direct detention unless it finds and states the facts and reasons for so finding that unless the respondent is detained: (a) there is a substantial probability that he/she will not appear in court on the return date; or (b) there is a serious risk that he/she may, before the return date, commit an act which, if committed by an adult, would constitute a crime."

The key distinction between secure and non-secure facilities is the level of restriction. Secure facilities are locked while non-secure facilities are not. Non-secure facilities are often termed 'staff-secure' as opposed to 'hardware-secure.'

Across the state, there are nine secure juvenile detention facilities located in seven jurisdictions: Albany, Erie, Monroe, Nassau, Onondaga, Westchester, and New York City. Counties that do not have their won secure option rely on out-of-county detention facilities. In addition, there are approximately 50 non-secure detention facilities across the state. Some counties have one or two non-secure facilities, often group homes that provide beds solely to the county. These facilities are typically privately run and staffed.

Age and gender indicators present the number and percentage of JD youth of particular age category or gender that are admitted to secure or non-secure detention facilities in a given year. These figures are based upon the number of total admissions, not unique individuals.

This indicator is calculated by dividing the total number of youth in a given age category (13 years and under; 14 to 15 years; 16 years and older) who are admitted to secure detention by the total number of admissions, not the total number of unique individuals.

JD non-secure detention admissions by age This indicator is calculated by dividing the total number of youth in a given age category (13 years and under; 14 to 15 years; 16 years and older) who are admitted to non-secure detention by the total number of admissions, not the total number of unique individuals.

JD secure detention admissions by gender This indicator is calculated by dividing the total number of youth in a given gender category (male; female) who are admitted to secure detention by the total number of admissions, not the total number of unique individuals.

JD non-secure detention admissions by gender This indicator is calculated by dividing the total number of youth in a given gender category (male; female) who are admitted to non-secure detention by the total number of admissions, not the total number of unique individuals.

New York's Family Court Act asserts that detention should be used in delinquency cases only in response to two types of risk: (1) risk of failure to appear in court and (2) risk of re-arrest pending a court return date. Article 3, Section 320.5 states, "The court shall not direct detention unless it finds and states the facts and reasons for so finding that unless the respondent is detained: (a) there is a substantial probability that he/she will not appear in court on the return date; or (b) there is a serious risk that he/she may, before the return date, commit an act which, if committed by an adult, would constitute a crime."

The key distinction between secure and non-secure facilities is the level of restriction. Secure facilities are locked while non-secure facilities are not. Non-secure facilities are often termed 'staff-secure' as opposed to 'hardware-secure.'

Across the state, there are nine secure juvenile detention facilities located in seven jurisdictions: Albany, Erie, Monroe, Nassau, Onondaga, Westchester, and New York City. Counties that do not have their own secure option rely on out-of-county detention facilities. In addition, there are approximately 50 non-secure detention facilities across the state. Some counties have one or two non-secure facilities, often group homes that provide beds solely to the county. These facilities are typically privately run and staffed.

JD secure admissions by police This indicator is calculated by dividing the total number of JD police admissions to secure juvenile detention facilities in a given year by the total number of secure admissions to juvenile detention facilities in the same year.

JD non-secure admissions by police This indicator is calculated by dividing the total number of JD police admissions to non-secure juvenile detention facilities in a given year by the total number of non-secure admissions to juvenile detention facilities in the same year.

JD secure police admissions with a warrant This indicator is calculated by dividing the total number of JD police admissions with a warrant to secure juvenile detention facilities in a given year by the total number of secure admissions to juvenile detention facilities in the same year.

JD non-secure police admissions with a warrant This indicator is calculated by dividing the total number of JD police admissions with a warrant to non-secure juvenile detention facilities in a given year by the total number of non-secure admissions to juvenile detention facilities in the same year.

JD secure admissions by court remand This indicator is calculated by dividing the total number of JD admissions by court remand to secure juvenile detention facilities in a given year by the total number of secure admissions to juvenile detention facilities in the same year.

JD non-secure admissions by court remand This indicator is calculated by dividing the total number of JD admissions by court remand to non-secure juvenile detention facilities in a given year by the total number of non-secure admissions to juvenile detention facilities in the same year.

A young person charged as a juvenile delinquent (JD) may be placed in a secure or non-secure juvenile detention facility pending his/her adjudication. Pre-adjudication detention primarily occurs during court hours as a result of a judicial order, or after court hours if the arresting officer recommends immediate detention and the detention facility authorizes the stay. A youth admitted to detention in the latter scenario, by an arresting officer, must appear in Family Court on the next business day and a detention hearing must be held within 72 hours of admission. While less common, a youth may additionally be ordered to detention post-disposition, in response to a violation of probation or as a waiting period for a court-mandated placement to become available.

New York State's Family Court Act asserts that detention should be used in delinquency cases only in response to two types of risk: (1) risk of failure to appear in court and (2) risk of re-arrest pending a court return date. Article 3, Section 320.5 states, "The court shall not direct detention unless it finds and states the facts and reasons for so finding that unless the respondent is detained: (a) there is a substantial probability that he/she will not appear in court on the return date; or (b) there is a serious risk that he/she may, before the return date, commit an act which, if committed by an adult, would constitute a crime."

The key distinction between secure and non-secure facilities is the level of restriction. Secure facilities are locked while non-secure facilities are not. Non-secure facilities are often termed 'staff-secure' as opposed to 'hardware-secure.'

Across the state, there are nine secure juvenile detention facilities located in seven jurisdictions: Albany, Erie, Monroe, Nassau, Onondaga, Westchester, and New York City. Counties that do not have their own secure option rely on out-of-county detention facilities. In addition, there are approximately 50 non-secure detention facilities across the state. Some counties have one or two non-secure facilities, often group homes that provide beds solely to the county. These facilities are typically privately run and staffed.

JD secure admissions with a felony charge This indicator is calculated by dividing the total number of JD admissions to secure juvenile detention facilities with a felony charge in a given year by the total number of secure admissions to juvenile detention facilities in the same year.

JD non-secure admissions with a felony charge This indicator is calculated by dividing the total number of JD admissions to non-secure juvenile detention facilities with a felony charge in a given year by the total number of non-secure admissions to juvenile detention facilities in the same year.

JD secure admissions with misdemeanor charge This indicator is calculated by dividing the total number of JD admissions to secure juvenile detention facilities with a misdemeanor charge in a given year by the total number of secure admissions to juvenile detention facilities in the same year.

JD non-secure admissions with misdemeanor charge This indicator is calculated by dividing the total number of JD admissions to non-secure juvenile detention facilities with a misdemeanor charge in a given year by the total number of non-secure admissions to juvenile detention facilities in the same year.

A young person charged as a juvenile delinquent (JD) may be placed in a secure or non-secure juvenile detention facility pending his/her adjudication. Pre-adjudication detention primarily occurs during court hours as a result of a judicial order, or after court hours if the arresting officer recommends immediate detention and the detention facility authorizes the stay. A youth admitted to detention in the latter scenario, by an arresting officer, must appear in Family Court on the next business day and a detention hearing must be held within 72 hours of admission. While less common, a youth may additionally be ordered to detention post-disposition, in response to a violation of probation or as a waiting period for a court-mandated placement to become available.

New York's Family Court Act asserts that detention should be used in delinquency cases only in response to two types of risk: (1) risk of failure to appear in court and (2) risk of re-arrest pending a court return date. Article 3, Section 320.5 states, "The court shall not direct detention unless it finds and states the facts and reasons for so finding that unless the respondent is detained: (a) there is a substantial probability that he/she will not appear in court on the return date; or (b) there is a serious risk that he/she may, before the return date, commit an act which, if committed by an adult, would constitute a crime."

The key distinction between secure and non-secure facilities is the level of restriction. Secure facilities are locked while non-secure facilities are not. Non-secure facilities are often termed 'staff-secure' as opposed to 'hardware-secure.'

Across the state, there are nine secure juvenile detention facilities located in seven jurisdictions: Albany, Erie, Monroe, Nassau, Onondaga, Westchester, and New York City. Counties that do not have their own secure option rely on out-of-county detention facilities. In addition, there are approximately 50 non-secure detention facilities across the state. Some counties have one or two non-secure facilities, often group homes that provide beds solely to the county. These facilities are typically privately run and staffed.

Ethnicity and race indicators present the number and percentage of JD youth of particular ethnicity or race that are admitted to secure or non-secure detention facilities in a given year. These figures are based upon the number of total admissions, not unique individuals.

Ethnicity and race indicators present the number and percentage of JD youth of particular ethnicity or race that are admitted to secure or non-secure juvenile detention facilities during a given year. These figures are based on the number of total admissions, not the total number of unique individuals.

JD non-secure detention admissions by ethnicity This indicator is calculated by dividing the total number of youth in a given ethnic category (Hispanic; Non-Hispanic) who are admitted to non-secure detention by the total number of admissions, not the total number of unique individuals.

JD secure detention admissions by ethnicity This indicator is calculated by dividing the total number of youth in a given ethnic category (Hispanic; Non-Hispanic) who are admitted to secure detention by the total number of admissions, not the total number of unique individuals.

JD non-secure detention admissions by raceThis indicator is calculated by dividing the total number of youth in a given race (Black or African American; White; American Indian; Asian; and Other/Unknown) who are admitted to non-secure detention by the total number of admissions, not the total number of unique individuals.

JD secure detention admissions by race This indicator is calculated by dividing the total number of youth in a given race (Black or African American; White; American Indian; Asian; and Other/Unknown) who are admitted to non-secure detention by the total number of admissions, not the total number of unique individuals.

A young person charged as a juvenile delinquent (JD) may be placed in a secure or non-secure juvenile detention facility pending his/her adjudication. Pre-adjudication detention primarily occurs during court hours as a result of a judicial order, or after court hours if the arresting officer recommends immediate detention and the detention facility authorizes the stay. A youth admitted to detention in the latter scenario, by an arresting officer, must appear in Family Court on the next business day and a detention hearing must be held within 72 hours of admission. While less common, a youth may additionally be ordered to detention post-disposition, in response to a violation of probation or as a waiting period for a court-mandated placement to become available.

New York's Family Court Act asserts that detention should be used in delinquency cases only in response to two types of risk: (1) risk of failure to appear in court and (2) risk of re-arrest pending a court return date. Article 3, Section 320.5 states, "The court shall not direct detention unless it finds and states the facts and reasons for so finding that unless the respondent is detained: (a) there is a substantial probability that he/she will not appear in court on the return date; or (b) there is a serious risk that he/she may, before the return date, commit an act which, if committed by an adult, would constitute a crime."

The key distinction between secure and non-secure facilities is the level of restriction. Secure facilities are locked while non-secure facilities are not. Non-secure facilities are often termed 'staff-secure' as opposed to 'hardware-secure.'

Across the state, there are nine secure juvenile detention facilities located in seven jurisdictions: Albany, Erie, Monroe, Nassau, Onondaga, Westchester, and New York City. Counties that do not have their won secure option rely on out-of-county detention facilities. In addition, there are approximately non-secure detention facilities across the state. Some counties have one or two non-secure facilities, often group homes that provide beds solely to the county. These facilities are typically privately run and staffed.

JD secure admissions by violation of probation This indicator is calculated by dividing the total number of JD admissions on a violation of probation to secure juvenile detention facilities within a given year by the total number of JD admissions to secure juvenile detention facilities within the same year.

JD non-secure admissions by violation of probation This indicator is calculated by dividing the total number of JD admissions on a violation of probation to non-secure juvenile detention facilities within a given year by the total number of JD admissions to non-secure juvenile detention facilities within the same year.

A young person charged as a juvenile delinquent (JD) may be placed in a secure or non-secure juvenile detention facility pending his/her adjudication. Pre-adjudication detention primarily occurs during court hours as a result of a judicial order, or after court hours if the arresting officer recommends immediate detention and the detention facility authorizes the stay. A youth admitted to detention in the latter scenario, by an arresting officer, must appear in Family Court on the next business day and a detention hearing must be held within 72 hours of admission. While less common, a youth may additionally be ordered to detention post-disposition, in response to a violation of probation or as a waiting period for a court-mandated placement to become available.

New York's Family Court Act asserts that detention should be used in delinquency cases only in response to two types of risk: (1) risk of failure to appear in court and (2) risk of re-arrest pending a court return date. Article 3, Section 320.5 states, "The court shall not direct detention unless it finds and states the facts and reasons for so finding that unless the respondent is detained: (a) there is a substantial probability that he/she will not appear in court on the return date; or (b) there is a serious risk that he/she may, before the return date, commit an act which, if committed by an adult, would constitute a crime."

The key distinction between secure and non-secure facilities is the level of restriction. Secure facilities are locked while non-secure facilities are not. Non-secure facilities are often termed 'staff-secure' as opposed to 'hardware-secure.'

Across the state, there are nine secure juvenile detention facilities located in seven jurisdictions: Albany, Erie, Monroe, Nassau, Onondaga, Westchester, and New York City. Counties that do not have their won secure option rely on out-of-county detention facilities. In addition, there are approximately non-secure detention facilities across the state. Some counties have one or two non-secure facilities, often group homes that provide beds solely to the county. These facilities are typically privately run and staffed.

JD non-secure detention length of stay presents the median number of days in a given year youth stay in non-secure detention facilities.

JD secure detention length of stay presents the median number of days in a given year youth stay in secure detention facilities.

Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS), or status offenders, are youth who enter the juvenile justice system for non-criminal behavior, such as truancy, 'incorrigibility,' or running away. In New York State, PINS youth may only be held in non-secure facilities. Most counties have one or two non-secure facilities, often group homes that provide beds solely to the county. These facilities are typically privately run and staffed.

New York City does not use non-secure detention facilities for PINS cases; rather the city's Administration for Children's Services is responsible for PINS cases that are remanded prior to adjudication.

The number of unique individuals admitted to non-secure detention facilities refers to an actual count of PINS youth who were detained at any point in the calendar year, including those whose stay extended into the next calendar year. The youth are attributed to counties based on the court location in which the youth is involved. If some youth were admitted more than once, the number of unique individuals may be smaller than the number of total admissions.

PINS non-secure detention total admissions rates are calculated based on the total number of admissions of PINS residents in each county to a non-secure detention facility (not necessarily in the same county) per 1,000 county residents between the ages of 10 and 17 years.

PINS non-secure detention unique admissions rates are calculated based on the total number of unique admissions of PINS residents in each county to a non-secure detention facility (not necessarily in the same county) per 1,000 county residents between the ages of 10 and 17 years.

PINS jurisdiction in New York State ends at age 18.

Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS), or status offenders, are youth who enter the juvenile justice system for non-criminal behavior, such as truancy, 'incorrigibility,' or running away. In New York State, PINS youth may only be held in non-secure facilities. Most counties have one or two non-secure facilities, often group homes that provide beds solely to the county. These facilities are typically privately run and staffed.

New York City does not use non-secure detention facilities for PINS cases; rather the city's Administration for Children's Services is responsible for PINS cases that are remanded prior to adjudication.

Demographic indicators present the number and percentage of PINS youth of a particular demographic that are admitted to non-secure detention facilities in a given year. These figures are based upon the number of total admissions, not the number of unique individuals.

PINS non-secure admissions by age Indicators are calculated by dividing the total number of PINS youth of a particular age group (13 years and under; 14 to 15 years; 16 years and older) admitted to non-secure detention facilities during a given year by the total number of PINS non-secure detention admissions in the same year.

PINS non-secure admissions by gender Indicators are calculated by dividing the total number of PINS youth of a particular gender (females; males) admitted to non-secure detention facilities during a given year by the total number of PINS non-secure detention admissions in the same year.

Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS), or status offenders, are youth who enter the juvenile justice system for non-criminal behavior, such as truancy, incorrigibility, or running away. In New York State, PINS youth may only be held in non-secure facilities. Most counties have one or two non-secure facilities, often group homes that provide beds solely to the county. These facilities are typically privately run and staffed.

New York City does not use non-secure detention facilities for PINS cases; rather the city's Administration for Children's Services is responsible for PINS cases that are remanded prior to adjudication.

PINS non-secure detention admissions by authority present the number and percentage of PINS youth that are admitted to non-secure detention facilities in a given year. These figures are based upon the number of total admissions, not unique individuals.

PINS non-secure admissions by police This is calculated by dividing the number of PINS admissions by police to non-secure detention facilities in a given year by the total number of PINS non-secure detention admissions in the same year.

PINS non-secure police admissions with warrant This is calculated by dividing the number of PINS police admissions with warrants to non-secure detention facilities in a given year by the total number of PINS non-secure detention admissions in the same year.

PINS non-secure admissions by court remand This is calculated by dividing the number of PINS admissions by court remand to non-secure detention facilities in a given year by the total number of PINS non-secure detention admissions in the same year.

Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS), or status offenders, are youth who enter the juvenile justice system for non-criminal behavior, such as truancy, 'incorrigibility,' or running away. In New York State, PINS youth may only be held in non-secure facilities. Most counties have one or two non-secure facilities, often group homes that provide beds solely to the county. These facilities are typically privately run and staffed.

New York City does not use non-secure detention facilities for PINS cases; rather the city's Administration for Children's Services is responsible for PINS cases that are remanded prior to adjudication.

Demographic indicators present the number and percentage of PINS youth of a particular demographic that are admitted to non-secure detention facilities in a given year. These figures are based upon the number of total admissions, not the number of unique individuals.

PINS non-secure admissions by ethnicity Indicators are calculated by dividing the total number of PINS youth of a particular ethnic group (Hispanic; Non-Hispanic) admitted to non-secure detention facilities during a given year by the total number of PINS non-secure detention admissions in the same year.

PINS non-secure admissions by race Indicators are calculated by dividing the total number of PINS youth of a particular race category (Black or African-American; American Indian, Asian, White) admitted to non-secure detention facilities during a given year by the total number of PINS non-secure detention admissions in the same year.

Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS), or status offenders, are youth who enter the juvenile justice system for non-criminal behavior, such as truancy, incorrigibility, or running away. In New York State, PINS youth may only be held in non-secure facilities. Most counties have one or two non-secure facilities, often group homes that provide beds solely to the county. These facilities are typically privately run and staffed.

New York City does not use non-secure detention facilities for PINS cases; rather the city's Administration for Children's Services is responsible for PINS cases that are remanded prior to adjudication.

PINS non-secure detention admissions by authority present the number and percentage of PINS youth that are admitted to non-secure detention facilities in a given year. These figures are based upon the number of total admissions, not unique individuals.

This indicator is calculated by dividing the number of PINS admissions to non-secure detention facilities for truancy allegations in a given year by the total number of PINS non-secure detention admissions in the same year.

Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS), or status offenders, are youth who enter the juvenile justice system for non-criminal behavior, such as truancy, incorrigibility, or running away. In New York State, PINS youth may only be held in non-secure facilities. Most counties have one or two non-secure facilities, often group homes that provide beds solely to the county. These facilities are typically privately run and staffed.

New York City does not use non-secure detention facilities for PINS cases; rather the city's Administration for Children's Services is responsible for PINS cases that are remanded prior to adjudication.

This indicator is calculated by dividing the number of PINS admissions to non-secure detention facilities for violation of probation in a given year by the total number of PINS non-secure detention admissions in the same year.

Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS), or status offenders, are youth who enter the juvenile justice system for non-criminal behavior, such as truancy, 'incorrigibility,' or running away. In New York State, PINS youth may only be held in non-secure facilities. Most counties have one or two non-secure facilities, often group homes that provide beds solely to the county. These facilities are typically privately run and staffed.

New York City does not use non-secure detention facilities for PINS cases; rather the city's Administration for Children's Services is responsible for PINS cases that are remanded prior to adjudication.

PINS non-secure detention admissions by authority present the number and percentage of PINS youth that are admitted to non-secure detention facilities in a given year. These figures are based upon the number of total admissions, not unique individuals.

This indicator presents the median number of days PINS youth spend in non-secure detention facilities in a given year.

• Who collected the data?
• Why were the data collected?
• Were similar methods and definitions used to identify the occurrences?
• Were similar population sources/estimates used?
• If the rates are crude, what population characteristics need to be considered?
• Are the numbers large enough to portray reliable data?
• What time periods are being compared?
• Have policy shifts occurred that could influence the findings?
• Have resources targeted the indicator that could influence the findings?

Adoption Milestones presents four indicators that measure milestones in the multi-step adoption process for children in foster care on the adoption track:

• Goal Set presents the number of children with a goal set to adoption during the calendar year and the percentage of all children in foster care at any time during the calendar year.

• Freed for Adoption presents the number of children freed during the calendar year and the percentage of all children in foster care at any time during the calendar year.

• Placed for Adoption presents the number of children placed for adoption during the calendar year and the percentage of all children in foster care who had a goal of adoption on December 31 of given year or had a goal set to adoption, were freed, placed or discharged to adoption at any time during the calendar year.

• Discharged to Adoption presents the number of children discharged to adoption during the calendar year and the percentage of children in foster care at any time during the calendar year with a goal of adoption and status of free for adoption.

Note: Children with waivers are excluded from all indicators.

Children admitted to foster care are those children under age 18 years who enter placement outside their home as the result of a court order in a given calendar year. Responsibility for the care and custody of these children is transferred, by court order, from the child's parents to the Commissioner of the local Department of Social Services. Children and youth admitted to foster care provides the number of children admitted to foster care during a given calendar year and the rate per 1,000 children 0 through 17 years in the general population. Children and youth admitted to foster care by placement type, age groups and race/ethnicity presents the number of children entering foster care in a respective sub-category in a given year and the percentage per children and youth entering foster care in that given year.

Children admitted to foster care are those children under age 18 years who enter placement outside their home as the result of a court order in a given calendar year. Responsibility for the care and custody of these children is transferred, by court order, from the child's parents to the Commissioner of the local Department of Social Services. Children and youth admitted to foster care provides the number of children admitted to foster care during a given calendar year and the rate per 1,000 children 0 through 17 years in the general population. Children and youth admitted to foster care by placement type, age groups and race/ethnicity presents the number of children entering foster care in a respective sub-category in a given year and the percentage per children and youth entering foster care in that given year.

Children in foster care are children and youth who are in the care and custody of the Commissioner of the local Department of Social Services on December 31 of a given year. The foster care settings for this "24-hour substitute care for children placed away from their parents or guardians" (U.S. DHHS, 2005) include, but are not limited to:

• Home care: nonrelative foster family homes and pre-adoptive homes,
• Relative care: relative foster homes,
• Congregate care: group homes, emergency shelters, residential facilities, and
• Other care: Agency Operated Boarding Homes, Group Residences, Residential Treatment Facility (RTF) and Intermediate Care Facility (ICF).

Children and Youth in Foster Care presents a "point in time" number of children in the care and custody of the Commissioner of the local Department of Social Services on December 31 of a given year and the rate per 1,000 children 0 through 21 years in the general population.

Children and Youth in Foster Care by Placement Type also presents a "point in time" number of children in a respective type of care on December 31 of a given year and the percentage per children in foster care on December 31 of a given year.

Children in foster care are children and youth who are in the care and custody of the Commissioner of the local Department of Social Services on December 31 of a given year. The foster care settings for this "24-hour substitute care for children placed away from their parents or guardians" (U.S. DHHS, 2005) include, but are not limited to:

• Home care: nonrelative foster family homes and pre-adoptive homes,
• Relative care: relative foster homes,
• Congregate care: group homes, emergency shelters, residential facilities, and
• Other care: Agency Operated Boarding Homes, Group Residences, Residential Treatment Facility (RTF) and Intermediate Care Facility (ICF).

Children and Youth in Foster Care presents a "point in time" number of children in the care and custody of the Commissioner of the local Department of Social Services on December 31 of a given year and the rate per 1,000 children 0 through 21 years in the general population.

Children and Youth in Foster Care by Placement Type also presents a "point in time" number of children in a respective type of care on December 31 of a given year and the percentage per children in foster care on December 31 of a given year.

• Admitted under the age of 1
• Admitted between the ages of 1 and 13
• Admitted between the ages of 14 and 20 In Care Population
• Began spell in progress under the age of 1
• Began spell in progress between ages 1 and 13, have been in care for less than two years
• Began spell in progress between ages 1 and 13, have been in care for two or more years
• Began spell in progress between ages 14 and 20

• Admission population: Calendar year 2003 admissions observed through December 31, 2004 and calendar year 2004 admissions observed through December 31, 2005.
• In Care population: Children in care on January 1, 2003 observed through December 31, 2004 and children in care on January 1, 2004 observed through December 31, 2005. Target performances are calculated to include 10% improvements over the baseline.

The termination of parental rights (TPR) involves the ending of the legal parent-child relationship. Once the relationship has been terminated, the child is then legally free to be placed for adoption with the goal of securing a stable, permanent family environment that can meet the child's long-term parenting needs. According to the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, states are required to initiate hearings to terminate the rights of parents if a child has been in foster care for 15 of the past 22 months, unless compelling circumstances exist. There are four possible outcomes of TPR hearings: granted, dismissed or withdrawn, suspended for up to one year, or in a relatively few cases an 'other' outcome might apply.

The proportion for each of these outcomes is calculated by dividing the number of respective judgments in a calendar year by the total number of completed TPR judgments considered by the court during that year.

Two or fewer placements while in-care less than 1 year is a measure of stability for children in foster care. The percent of children in foster care for less than one year with two or fewer placement settings is calculated by dividing the unique count of children in foster care less than one year with two or fewer placements in a given fiscal year by the total number of children in foster care less than a year during that fiscal year multiplied by 100.

The percent of Regents diplomas is determined by dividing the number of Regents diplomas awarded by the total number of diplomas awarded and multiplying the result by 100.

Infants born with less than 37 weeks gestation are premature births. The premature birth rate is the number of premature births per 100 live births for which gestation is known. This rate is presented as a percentage for women of all ages and the age group 10 through 19 years.

Motor vehicle mortality is the number of deaths for youth aged 15 to 24 years. The numbers and rates per 100,000 ages 15 through 24 years are presented as three-year averages. Three-year averaging improves the reliability of the data in counties with small populations where slight variations in the number of youth motor vehicle crashes mortality can result in large fluctuations in their annual rates.

The NYS Office of Children and Family Services has responsibility for providing residential and aftercare services to youth adjudicated in either the family or adult court. A placement refers to a court order placing a youth in the custody of OCFS. All youth placed with OCFS are either adjudicated as juvenile delinquents by the Family Court system or juvenile offenders (designated felons sentenced through the criminal courts). Juvenile delinquents (JD) are defined in Section 301.2 of the Family Court Act as persons over the age of 7, but under the age of 16, who have committed what would be crimes against persons (e.g., assault, robbery and sexual offenses) and against property (e.g., arson). Juvenile Offenders (between the age of 13 and 15 years) and Restrictive Juvenile Delinquents (JDs committing specific designated felony acts) have committed a serious crime that, if committed by an adult, would be a "designated felony." The list of designated felonies is similar to the Penal Law list of violent felonies (e.g., assault in the first degree, manslaughter in the first degree, and rape in the first degree).

OCFS placements is calculated as the number of youth placed with OCFS during a given calendar year divided by the estimate of youth, ages 10 to 17 years, in the general population. This is multiplied by 1,000.

Placements for youth up to and including 13 years of age is calculated by dividing the number of youth 13 years and younger in placement during a given year by the total number of youth in placement during that year.

Placements for youth ages 14 through 15 years is calculated by dividing the number of 14 and 15 year old youth in placement during a given year by the total number of youth in placement during that year.

Placements for youth ages 16 and older is calculated by dividing the number of youth 16 years and older who are in placement during a given year by the total number of youth in placement during that year.

OCFS placements by gender present the number and percentage of youth of a particular gender who were placed with OCFS in a given year.

Placements for females is calculated by dividing the number of youth in placement during a given year who are female by the total number of youth in placement during that year.

Placements for males is calculated by dividing the number of youth in placement during a given year who are male by the total number of youth in placement during that year.

The NYS Office of Children and Family Services has responsibility for providing residential and aftercare services to youth adjudicated in either the family or adult court. A placement refers to a court order placing a youth in the custody of OCFS. All youth placed with OCFS are either adjudicated as juvenile delinquents by the Family Court system or juvenile offenders (designated felons sentenced through the criminal courts). Juvenile delinquents (JD) are defined in Section 301.2 of the Family Court Act as persons over the age of 7, but under the age of 16, who have committed what would be crimes against persons (e.g., assault, robbery and sexual offenses) and against property (e.g., arson). Juvenile Offenders (between the age of 13 and 15 years) and Restrictive Juvenile Delinquents (JDs committing specific designated felony acts) have committed a serious crime that, if committed by an adult, would be a "designated felony." The list of designated felonies is similar to the Penal Law list of violent felonies (e.g., assault in the first degree, manslaughter in the first degree, and rape in the first degree).

OCFS placements by ethnicity present the number and percentage of youth of Hispanic/Latino ethnicity who were placed with OCFS in a given year.

Placements for Hispanic youth is calculated by dividing the number of Hispanic youth in placement during a given year by the total number of youth in placement during that year.

Placements for Non-Hispanic youth is calculated by dividing the number of Non-Hispanic youth in placement during a given year by the total number of youth in placement during that year.

OCFS placements by race presents the number and percentage of youth who identify with a particular race placed with OCFS in a given year.

Placements for youth who identify as African American is calculated by dividing the number of youth in placement during a given year who identify themselves as African American by the total number of youth in placement during that year.

Placements for youth who identify as American Indian is calculated by dividing the number of youth in placement during a given year who identify themselves as Native American by the total number of youth in placement during that year.

Placements for youth who identify as Asian is calculated by dividing the number of youth in placement during a given year who identify themselves as Asian by the total number of youth in placement during that year.

Placements for youth who identify as White is calculated by dividing the number of youth in placement during a given year who identify themselves as White by the total number of youth in placement during that year.

Placements for youth who identify as Other is calculated by dividing the number of youth in placement during a given year who identify themselves as 'other' (i.e., not one of the groups listed above) by the total number of youth in placement during that year.

OCFS Placements by Placement Type presents the number and percentage of court placements mandating that OCFS provide services or replacements where services are provided by Voluntary Agencies. Court placements either mandate OCFS to provide service to a youth or direct OCFS to "replace" a youth with a court-designated voluntary agency. A youth not placed for "replacement" may nevertheless be cooperatively admitted to a voluntary agency by mutual agreement between OCFS and the agency. More than one placement order may apply to a youth at any point in time. Thus, a single custody entry may be the result of more than one placement. There are three distinct types of placement orders by which courts assign custody to OCFS:

Court to OCFS This placement type mandates OCFS to directly supervise a youth, but permits OCFS to admit a youth to a cooperating voluntary agency by mutual agreement between OCFS and the agency.

Court to OCFS to Voluntary (Replacement) This placement type directs OCFS to retain custody, but to admit a youth to a program operated by a specific authorized agency, generally referred to as a voluntary agency. This type of placement is referred to as replacement.

Interstate Compact This entry to custody results from a reciprocal agreement between New York and other states in which youth adjudicated outside NY whose families reside in NY will be supervised by OCFS following any incarceration outside NY. At the same time, out-of-state youth adjudicated in NY can receive supervision in their home state under this agreement. It has been customary for all Interstate Compact youth to be admitted to Aftercare (non-residential program).

OCFS has two reception centers for youth entering the state’s juvenile rehabilitative system. The boys' reception center is located in the Bronx; the girls' reception center is located in Johnstown. Standardized assessment instruments are used to evaluate presenting issues and placement needs of the youth, including screening in the areas of mental health, substance abuse, education, sex offender, limited English proficiency and health. The assessment of youth is the first step in the planning process. All youth receive individualized treatment plans designed to address their unique needs. OCFS Placements by Service Needs presents the number and percentage of youth who were admitted to OCFS custody and screened during a given year and found to need the respective service.

OCFS placement with mental health service need is calculated by dividing the total number of youth in placement who require mental health services as indicated by screening assessment(s) by the total number of screened youth in placement.

OCFS placement with substance abuse service need is calculated by dividing the total number of youth in placement who require substance abuse services as indicated by screening assessment(s) by the total number of screened youth in placement.

Youth who are placed with the Office of Children and Family Services as juvenile delinquents (over age 7 and under age 16) have committed an act, which would have been a crime if committed by an adult. Juvenile Offender/Restrictive Juvenile Delinquents (between the age of 13 and 15 years) have committed a serious crime that, if committed by an adult, would be a "designated felony." The list of "designated felonies" is similar to the Penal Law list of violent felonies, which includes crimes such as: assault in the first degree, manslaughter in the first degree, and rape in the first degree.

Since an adjudicated offense is a product of a multi-stage process and is subject to many factors other than the actual crime committed, it is necessary to be cautious in interpreting "top adjudicated offense." For example, any changes in offense distributions over time may be the result of shifts in such factors as plea bargaining or prosecutorial practices, rather than any change in criminal behavior. To the extent that these practices exist, the offense for which a youth is adjudicated will under-represent the seriousness of the behavior which prompted the initial arrest.

The top adjudicated offenses present the number and percentage of the respective offense among youth admitted to OCFS custody in a given year and is calculated by dividing the number of youth in OCFS placement with a specific charge by the total number of youth in placement.

Late or no prenatal care is defined as pregnancy-related health care first received by the mother in the last three months (third trimester) of her pregnancy, or not at all during the pregnancy. The percent of late or no prenatal care births is calculated by dividing the number of births that received late or no prenatal care by the total number of births where the first month of prenatal care was known.

"White" refers to people having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa. It includes people who indicated their race or races as "White" or wrote in entries such as Irish, German, Italian, Lebanese, Near Easterner, Arab or Polish.

"Black or African American" refers to people having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa. It includes people who indicated their race or races as "Black, African American or Negro," or wrote in entries such as African American, Afro American, Nigerian or Haitian.

"American Indian and Alaska Native" refers to people having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South American (including Central America), and who maintain tribal affiliation or community attachment. It includes people who indicated their race or races by making this category or writing in their principal or enrolled tribe, such as Rosebud Sioux, Chippewa or Navajo.

"Asian" refers to people having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia or the Indian subcontinent. It includes people who indicated their race or races as "Asian Indian," "Chinese," "Filipino," "Korean," "Japanese," "Vietnamese," or "Other Asian," or wrote in entries such as Burmese, Hmong, Pakistani or Thai.

"Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander" refers to people having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands. It includes people who indicated their race or races as "Native Hawaiian,” "Guamanian or Chamorro," "Samoan" or "Other Pacific Islander," or wrote in entries such as Tahitian, Mariana Islander or Chuukese.

"Some other Race" was included in Census 2000 for respondents who were unable to identify with the five Office of Management and Budget race categories. Respondents who provided write-in entries such as Moroccan, South African, Belizean, or a Hispanic origin (e.g., Mexican, Puerto Rican or Cuban) are included in the Some other race category.

Two or More Races: Individuals who chose more than one of the six race categories are referred to as the "Two or more races" population or as the group that reported more than one race. All respondents who indicated more than one race can be collapsed into the "Two or more races" category.

Juvenile delinquency intake outcomes are the case closing designations as reported by New York State’s 58 counties, including New York City, in the monthly DPCA DP30 data. There are four ways in which case closings can be classified:

Adjusted This is a case in which the satisfactory resolution of the complaint was derived without Family Court intervention. This is calculated as the number of closed juvenile delinquency intake closed cases that are classified as adjusted divided by the number of juvenile delinquency intake closed cases.

Referred to petition immediately This is a case where the adjustment process was not commenced and the case was excluded from any opportunity for adjustment and referred for petition. This is calculated as the number of closed juvenile delinquency intake closed cases that are classified as referred to petition immediately divided by the number of juvenile delinquency intake closed cases.

Referred for petition after diversion attempt This is a case in which the resolution of the complaint did not occur because, after the commencement of adjustment services, the potential petitioner wished to file a formal petition, or the adjustment process was incomplete or unsuccessful. This is calculated as the number of closed juvenile delinquency intake closed cases that are classified as terminated without adjustment and referred for petition divided by the number of juvenile delinquency intake closed cases.

Terminated with matter not pursued and not referred for petition This is a case in which a potential petitioner failed to pursue the complaint or withdrew the complaint, before commencement of adjustment attempts or during such attempts. This is not included as an indicator in KWIC.

Juvenile delinquency matters include a category called ‘designated felony acts’ which are acts, if done by an adult, would be one of several specific higher level offenses as delineated in Family Court Act section 302.1. A designated felony act is one of the following specified acts committed by a youth of a particular age that would be a crime, if committed by an adult:

1. Committed by a person thirteen, fourteen or fifteen years of age:

• PL § 125.27 Murder in the first degree
• PL § 125.25 Murder in the second degree
• PL § 135.25 Kidnapping in the first degree
• PL § 150.20 Arson in the first degree
• PL § 120.10 Assault in the first degree
• PL § 125.20 Manslaughter in the first degree
• PL § 130.35 Rape in the first degree
• PL § 130.50 Criminal sexual act in the first degree
• PL § 130.70 Aggravated sexual abuse in the first degree
• PL § 135.20 Kidnapping in the second degree — but only where the abduction involved the use or threat of use of deadly physical force
• PL § 150.15 Arson in the second degree
• PL § 160.15 Robbery in the first degree

2. Committed by a person thirteen, fourteen or fifteen years of age:

• An attempt to commit murder in the first or second degree
• An attempt to commit kidnapping in the first degree

3. Committed by a person fourteen or fifteen years of age:

• PL §140.30 Burglary in the first degree
• PL § 140.25 — subdivision 1 of Burglary in the second degree
• PL § 160.10 — subdivision 2 of Robbery in the second degree
• PL § 265.02 — subdivision 4 of Criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree - where such firearm is possessed on school grounds
• PL § 265.03 Criminal possession of a firearm in the second degree — where such machine gun or firearm is possessed on school grounds

4. Committed by a person fourteen or fifteen years of age where there has been a prior finding by the court that the person previously committed an act of assault in the second degree, robbery in the second degree or any other designated felony act specified in (1) and (2) above, regardless of the age of the person at the commission of the prior act:

• PL § 120.05 Assault in the second degree
• PL § 160.10 Robbery in the second degree

5. Any other crime, other then a misdemeanor, committed by a person at least 7 but less then 16 years of age, but only where there have been two prior findings by the court that such person has committed a prior felony.

This indicator is calculated as the number of juvenile delinquency intake closed cases among youth 10 through 15 years of age that were classified as designated felonies divided by the total number of juvenile delinquency intake closed cases. The rate does not include youth ages 7 through 9 years of age as fewer juvenile delinquency complaints are file for youth in this lower age category.

Article 3 of the New York State Family Court Act, which governs juvenile delinquency matters, defines 'juvenile delinquent' as a "person over seven and less than sixteen years of age, who, having committed an act that would constitute a crime if committed by an adult,

• is not criminally responsible for such conduct by reason of infancy, or
• is the defendant in an action order removed from Criminal Court to the Family Court pursuant to Article 725 of the criminal procedure law, as per Family Court Act section 301.2.”

If a peace officer or police officer takes a youth ages 7 through 15 years old into custody without a warrant for a crime, that officer may release the youth to the custody of the parent/guardian and may issue a Family Court appearance ticket to the child and the person to whose custody the youth is released. The officer may also either take the youth directly to Family Court or to a detention facility if Family Court is closed, if circumstances warrant.

The Family Court appearance ticket is a written notice directing the child and the parent/guardian to appear at the Probation Department. The Probation Department is responsible to provide intake services, including conferring with the youth, the parent, police, and the victim, and, with consent of the parties, attempting to adjust suitable cases in order to divert the matter from formal Family Court action. Intake services are intended to, without the need for formal court action, allow the youth opportunity to:

1. make reparation/restitution to the victim and the community; and
2. address the risks and needs underlying the offending behavior in order to reduce the risk of re-offending.

Intake services may be provided for up to 60 days, with a possible extension by the Family Court for an additional 60 days, at which time the matter must be closed. Closed cases are classified as either ‘Referred to petition immediately,’ ‘Terminated with matter not pursued and not referred for petition,’ ‘Adjusted,’ or ‘Terminated without adjustment and referred for petition.’

The rate for juvenile delinquency closed intakes is calculated by dividing the total number of juvenile delinquent youth ages 10 through 15 years with a closed case divided by the population estimate of all youth ages 10 through 15 years of age in the general population and this is multiplied by 1,000.

Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS) are youth less than 18 years of age for whom complaints were filed with local probation departments because of non-criminal misconduct, such as truancy from school, incorrigibility, ungovernability or habitual disobedience. PINS complainants are generally parents or school officials who are seeking intervention to control a juvenile's misconduct. Agencies or victims may also be complainants.

As with juvenile delinquency complaints, there are several case closing designation options for PINS cases. Only one, however, can result in a case being referred to Family Court for petition. The designation ‘ Terminated with no bar to petition’ is used for cases that have not been successfully diverted and the lead agency (Probation Department or Local Department of Social Services) determines that diversion efforts have been exhausted and that there is no substantial likelihood that the youth and family would benefit from continued services. For parent/guardian filed complaints, such closing designation requires documentation of the active participation of the parent(s)/guardian in diversion services.

The PINS court referral rate is calculated as the number of cases classified as terminated with no bar to petition for youth ages 10 to 17 years divided by the estimate of youth ages 10 to 17 years in the general population per 1,000 youth ages 10 to 17 years.

Suicide mortality is the number of self-inflicted deaths. The annual number of these deaths per 100,000 youth aged 10 to 19 years is the suicide mortality rate. Since suicide is a relatively rare event in many counties, the numbers and rates are presented as three-year averages. Three-year averaging improves the reliability of the data in counties with small populations where slight variations in the number of youth committing suicide can result in large fluctuations in their annual rates.

The unintentional injury rate is based on the number of hospitalizations for unintentional injuries per 100,000 children and youth ages birth through 19 years. This includes injuries caused by such occurrences as motor vehicle crashes, drowning, fires and falls.

The unintentional injury mortality rate is based on the number of deaths for unintentional injuries per 100,000 children and youth ages birth through 19 years. The numbers and rates are presented as three-year averages. Three-year averaging improves the reliability of the data in counties with small populations where slight variations in the number of deaths can result in large fluctuations in their annual rates.

The unintentional injury rate is based on the number of hospitalizations for unintentional injuries per 100,000 children and youth ages birth through 19 years. This includes injuries caused by such occurrences as motor vehicle crashes, drowning, fires and falls.

The unintentional injury mortality rate is based on the number of deaths for unintentional injuries per 100,000 children and youth ages birth through 19 years. The numbers and rates are presented as three-year averages. Three-year averaging improves the reliability of the data in counties with small populations where slight variations in the number of deaths can result in large fluctuations in their annual rates.