Audit Unveils Troubling Findings at Child Mental Health Centers
In a recent audit conducted in January, seven child mental health centers in Nevada were found to be failing to meet state standards, raising concerns about the well-being of the minors under their care. The audit revealed a range of issues, from children self-medicating to unsanitary conditions and inadequate patient evaluations.
Nevada Homes for Youth, Aurora Center for Healing, Shannon West Homeless Youth Center (SWHYC), and four Advanced Foster Care Homes managed by the Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) were among the facilities that failed to meet state standards, posing numerous health, safety, and civil rights concerns.
At Nevada Homes for Youth, spoiled food and food wrappers were discovered in a child’s room. Shannon West Homeless Youth Center failed to assess minors for victimization or sexual abuse. These findings were just the tip of the iceberg, highlighting systemic problems within these facilities.
Legislative Response and Public Outcry
Following the release of the audit in mid-September, several lawmakers expressed frustration over the revealed issues, particularly since many of the centers had a history of complaints. State Senator Dina Neal voiced her concern, drawing a parallel between the conditions at these centers and a poorly maintained restaurant, questioning why children would be allowed to return to such establishments without immediate action.
Between July 2022 and June 2023, the state received a total of 1,261 complaints related to 34 centers across Nevada. The severity of the situation was underscored by the fact that 101 minors had to be relocated out of state due to the inadequate services provided by Nevada centers.
Enforcement Actions and Accountability
In May 2023, the Aurora Center for Healing faced a ban on admissions following an inspection, leading to the DCFS’s decision to cease sending children to the facility. Similarly, Advanced Foster Care Homes reported the closure of one of its foster homes due to licensing issues by the end of 2023.
The audit also highlighted the failure of Shannon West Homeless Youth Center to comply with the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), which mandates zero tolerance for sexual abuse and harassment. A disturbing incident in September 2023 involving a minor alleging inappropriate touching by an adult at the center underscored the urgency of addressing these compliance gaps.
While the Shannon West Homeless Youth Center defended its position, arguing that as a program for independent living and emergency shelter, it did not fall under the PREA’s purview, the need for enhanced safeguards and oversight was evident.
Oversight and Regulatory Gaps
The lack of comprehensive employee screening for child abuse or neglect and the absence of specific training requirements for handling children in most licensed health centers raised concerns about the oversight mechanisms in place. The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Quality and Compliance for Healthcare, which oversees licensing and supervision, was called into question for its regulatory framework.
Marla McDade Williams, a spokesperson for the DCFS, emphasized the division’s role in placing children in care while highlighting the ultimate responsibility of the Office of Quality and Compliance for Healthcare in ensuring adherence to standards.
In response to the audit findings, the Aurora Center for Healing stated its commitment to working closely with state agencies to meet regulatory requirements. However, Nevada Homes for Youth and Advanced Foster Care Homes remained silent on the matter, failing to address the concerns raised by the audit.
As the state grapples with the fallout from the audit, calls for increased accountability, transparency, and reform within the child mental health system have grown louder. The well-being of vulnerable minors must be prioritized, and swift action is needed to address the systemic failures that have been brought to light.
