The Youth in Crisis Act allows certain parties to file a petition in the Superior Court for Juvenile Matters alleging that a youth’s acts or omissions have made him or her a youth in crisis.  If a Youth in Crisis (YIC) petition is granted, the court can order the Department to provide services to the youth against the youth’s will.

 Legal References: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 46b-150f and 150g.

A youth in crisis is a child who is sixteen (16) to seventeen (17) years of age, and who, within the last two (2) years  

• has without just cause run away from his/her lawful place of abode

•  is beyond the control of his/her parent, guardian, or custodian, or

• has had four (4) unexcused absences from school in one (1) month or ten (10) in one (1) year.

The following facts shall be set forth in the petition (Form JD-JM 144) to establish court jurisdiction:

• acts or omissions that cause the petitioner to believe the youth is in crisis, and 

• the facts establishing that the youth has run away from the home without just cause, and/or  

• the facts establishing that the youth is beyond the control of his/her parent, guardian, or custodian, and/or 

• the facts that establish that the youth has had four (4) unexcused absences from school in one (1) month or ten (10) unexcused absences in one (1) year. 

The following are parties who may petition the court: 

• parent

• foster parent

• a representative of the youth

• DCF Social Worker, if the Department has legal custody of the child

• any child-caring institution or agency approved or licensed by DCF

• youth services bureau

• police officer

• probation officer

• superintendent of schools

• selectman or town manager

• municipal welfare department.

The DCF Social Worker shall consult with the Social Work Supervisor and the Principal Attorney or Staff Attorney regarding the viability and grounds regarding the filing of a YIC petition. 

The YIC petition shall be served on the youth and the youth’s parents, guardians and/or custodians. 

If the judge makes a finding of youth in crisis, the following are some, but not all, of the possible court orders:

• prohibiting the youth from driving a motor vehicle for a period of time

• requiring the youth to perform work or community service

• requiring the youth to attend an educational program, or

• requiring the youth to participate in mental health services. 

The Department shall provide temporary services, which may include placement, to the youth unless or until the youth’s parent refuses to agree to those services, if a police officer refers the youth to the Department or transports him or her to a DCF area office or facility.