STATE OF NEVADA - Division of Child and Family Services

development of the brain for Indian children placed in non-Indian homes, the need for collaboration within Tribal child
serving systems, and current implementation strategies for ICWA. Judge Thorne closed the session with a challenge
for all Tribes to improve partnerships with State and county child welfare agencies. The Indian Child Welfare Track
was attended by tribal chairs, tribal council members, Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada, Washoe County Department of
Social Services, DCFS Rural Region, tribal social services agencies, attorneys, court appointed special advocates,
service providers, and other interested parties. There were more than 250 participants who were impacted by the
information provided during the sessions.
Systemic Factor G: Foster and Adoptive Home Licensing, Approval and Recruitment
Item 41: Standards for foster homes and institutions
Goal: The State will ensure that implemented standards for foster family homes and child care institutions are reasonably
in accord with recommended national standards.
The first objective under this goal is that the State would engage in necessary regulation development to ensure quality
standards for foster care and child care institutions, including the finalization of regulations related to NAC424 regarding
treatment homes and NRS 432A regarding child care institutions. A second objective is that the State, in collaboration
with the Child Welfare Agencies, will provide a mechanism for determining how effective foster family homes, child care
institutions and facilities are at meeting required standards, including reporting on meeting corrective action for those
homes or institutions that are not in compliance. A final objective, used to reach this goal is that the State will report on
the length of time it takes to license foster and adoptive homes and facilities, including the number of waivers granted.
For foster and adoptive homes, Nevada statutes in Chapter 424 – Foster Homes for Children provide a framework for the
licensing, license renewal, inspections, investigations of foster homes and background investigations for foster care
providers. Under NRS 424, the child welfare agencies have the responsibility for licensing foster homes, therefore the
DCFS – Rural Region, CCDFS and WCDSS have the responsibility for licensing foster homes. This responsibility also
includes monitoring and providing technical assistance to family foster and group foster homes. The purpose of licensing
is to reduce the risk of harm to children in care. The licensing process determines whether the applicant can provide
suitable care for children. To ensure that an acceptable level of care is maintained, licenses are renewed annually per
NRS 424 with a minimum of one visit made to each licensed home. FBI checks are conducted on all applicants and
household residents 18 years of age and older.
Family foster homes fall under NAC 424 regulations. The regulations incorporate definitions, general provisions, licensing
and organizational requirements, requirements for qualifications and training of personnel and adult residents,
requirements for initial training and ongoing annual training, specifications for facilities, ground and furnishings, and
operation of foster homes, including requirements for care, treatment and discipline of foster children. NAC 424
regulations pertaining to licensing also specify standards for accessibility, facility space, immunization records, health and
sanitation, menus, food preparation, nutrition, fire safety and fire drill records, staff/child ratios, safety factors including
pools and outdoor equipment, and transportation of children.
For addressing standards related to child care institutions, the Bureau of Services for Child Care created workgroups and
amended proposed regulations to ensure Nevada’s children were in a safe and nurturing environment when placed in outof-home
care. Child care institutions (educational, shelter care and residential) fall under NAC 432A regulations. The
regulations incorporate definitions, training requirements, general requirements, social workers, maintaining records and
ratios. Licensing Surveyors complete quarterly, semi-annual and annual inspections (surveys) of facilities, such as facility
files, indoor and outdoor deficiencies based on NRS 432A regulations. The regulations are based on fire, health, facility
space, advertising, immunization of records, staff qualifications and training records, menu, food preparation, nutrition, fire
drill records, staff/child ratios, safety factors including toys and outdoor equipment, transportation and discipline. Once
deficiencies are noted, licensing surveyors will work with providers to come into compliance with the NRS 432A
regulations. The proposed regulatory process is still in the progress working toward bringing the State of Nevada
standards closer to National Standards. During the last year’s Statewide Assessment and CFSR Process, stakeholders
commenting on this item were in general agreement that DCFS and the local counties have implemented appropriate
standards for foster family homes and child care institutions. Stakeholders reported that re-licensing occurs annually and
is done in a timely manner.
In the Nevada 2009 CFSR Report, this item was rated as a strength. This continues to be an area of strength for Nevada.
The number of foster homes in Nevada is increasing and the length of time to license homes is decreasing. Figure 17
Nevada APSR – SFY 2010
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