IN THE SPRING OF 1975, THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE ELIMINATED THE CATEGORY OF CHILDREN IN NEED OF SUPERVISION (CINS) FROM THE STATUTES. THE IMPACT OF THIS REMOVAL IS ANALYZED FROM TWO MAJOR PERSPECTIVES: IMPACT ON STATE SERVICE SYSTEMS, PERTAINING TO BOTH THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM; AND IMPACT ON THE STATUS OFFENDER IN TERMS OF CHARACTERISTICS OR REFERRAL AND PROCESSING. THE INTENT OF THE LEGISLATION HAS BEEN ACHIEVED, AS EVIDENCED BY THE VAST MAJORITY OF CHILDREN NOW PLACED IN FOSTER CARE HOMES OR SERVED THROUGH THE PROTECTIVE SERVICES PROGRAM. WHETHER THESE CHANGES HAVE RESULTED IN AN IMPROVEMENT OF SERVICES TO THE CHILDREN IS STILL A MATTER OF DEBATE. INSOFAR AS CHILDREN WHO HAVE NOT COMMITTED DELINQUENT ACTS ARE NOW HANDLED OUTSIDE THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, AVOIDING THE DELETERIOUS EFFECTS OF BEING UNJUSTLY LABELLED 'DELINQUENT', PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE. HOWEVER, IF IMPROVED SERVICE IS DEFINED BY SUCH MEASURES AS INCREASED COUNSELOR INVOLVEMENT, MORE APPROPRIATE COUNSELING, PROGRAM PLACEMENT, AND PRACTICES MORE COMPATIBLE WITH PROTECTIVE RATHER THAN PUNITIVE PURPOSE, THEN THE ISSUE REMAINS UNRESOLVED, AND MORE EVALUATION IS NEEDED. ALSO, DELINQUENCY POPULATIONS HAVE NOT DECLINED SINCE JULY 1975 WHEN THE LEGISLATION WAS PASSED, LEADING TO SIGNIFICANT POLICY IMPLICATIONS. (MJW)