The process by which the court transfers legal custody of a child from a parent or legal guardian to either the Department of Juvenile Justice or the Department of Social Services. Commitment is also a process by which children with mental health problems can be hospitalized either with their consent or over their objections.

A Court ordered placement in either a residential or day treatment facility.

Placement of a child/youth in the custody (children in a family with service needs and delinquent children) or guardianship (neglected, dependent, uncared for children/youth) of the Department of Children and Youth Services by an order of the court.

A court order giving guardianship of a juvenile who is at least eleven (11) years old to the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections. The term of commitment must be for a minimum of one year and may be extended for a period not to exceed the juvenile's twenty first (21st) birthday.

The commitment is a dispositional order of the court placing a child in the Department’s custody (family with service needs [FWSN] and delinquent children) or guardianship (neglected, dependent, uncared for children). In neglect/abuse cases, a commitment remains in effect until a judge modifies or revokes it or until termination of parental rights is ordered or until the child turns eighteen (18). In delinquency/FWSN cases, a commitment ends after a specified period of time, unless · extended by a new court order · revoked sooner by the court, or · the child turns eighteen (18).