A parent, custodian and/or guardian who has the legal right to custody of a child may schedule an appointment with a Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court intake officer to prepare a child in need of supervision or child in need of services petition.  An appointment can be scheduled by calling (703) 246-2495.

A child in need of services petition will be prepared and filed only after the intake officer determines that the petitioner and the child have made reasonable efforts to utilize or attempt to utilize treatment and services available in the community, and have exhausted all non-judicial remedies that are available to them.

A child in need of supervision petition will be prepared and filed only after an intake officer determines that (1) while subject to compulsory school attendance, the child is habitually and without justification absent from school (truant), (2) the child's behavior is a threat to his or her life or health, including running away from home, or (3) the child committed an offense prohibited by law that would not be a criminal act if committed by an adult.