CourtHelp Legal Glossary

A paper signed by someone not involved in a case saying that the papers were given (served) to another person who is named on the papers.

The state agency that acts on the reports of child abuse and neglect. In NYC that agency is the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS).

See Human Resource Administration.

Office in the Administration of Children Services that gives legal services for cases brought by the Commissioner of Social Services.

This helps state and local child support enforcement agencies locate alleged fathers and parents that do not have custody of their children. The information is used to establish custody and visitation rights, establish and enforce child support payments, investigate parental kidnapping, and process adoption or foster care cases. A computerized national network and database run by the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). FPLS collects address and employer information, and information on child support cases in every state; compares them; and gives this information to the proper authorities in the states involved.

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), Division of Mental Hygiene Services (Division or DMH), is responsible for managing contracts and providers having to do with mental health services for adults, adolescents and children.

The New York City child welfare agency that investigates reports of child abuse and neglect.  It also ensures the safety and well-being of children.

The support agency that holds fingerprints and other arrest information in its database, called Computerized Criminal History (CCH).

The New York State agency that handles the placement of minors in institutions after juvenile delinquency findings.

Personal service can be made in three ways: 1. Delivering the paper to the person in his or her hand (Personal delivery). 2. Handing the papers to a responsible person to give to the person being served, and mailing copies to the person being served (Substituted delivery). 3. After two or three attempts, leaving a copy on the door (in Landlord tenant, also under the door) and mailing copies to the person being served (Conspicuous delivery).

A local agency that puts together a report about a criminal defendant's background so a Judge can decide to release or not release them from custody before trial.

Community based agency that helps families by giving support to keep youth at home or keep youth from entering foster care. These services include family therapy, after school programs, parenting programs, and day treatment programs.

Papers filed as proof that a person was served. May include affidavits of service and mailing receipts.

The temporary removal of a child during a PINS or neglect/abuse case. During that period, the child is under the control of the Administration of Children’s Services custody.

The delivery of legal papers in a case. Service officially tells a person that something is happening in a case. If a party is not properly served it can be a reason for a case to be dismissed. The papers must be delivered by a person 18 years old or older who is not part of the case. This person must then swear in an affidavit about the date and method of delivery.

After a court says that other ways of service won't work or have been unsuccessful it can allow service to start a case by putting a notice in a newspaper.

The delivery of court papers to the other side to start a case.

A meeting scheduled every three to six months where the youth’s foster care agency explains their permanency plan and talks about what services are available to them. Youth have the right to know about their SPR, attend their SPRs and can bring a supportive adult with them.

Attorneys who represent Social Services in a Child Support Enforcement case.

A unit in each state's child support agency that finds noncustodial parents to force child support payments, visitation, and custody orders or to establish paternity.

A business that collects and sells information on tenants, like if they pay their rent on time and if they have been defendants in eviction cases.

A practice where a lawyer and a client agree that the lawyer will do only some of the work in a case, but not the whole case (bundle). Also called “limited-scope representation.”