A recent audit in Nevada revealed that seven child care facilities failed to meet state standards, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of the children in their care. The audit identified issues such as children self-administering medication, dirty living conditions, and a lack of proper assessments for potential abuse.
Among the facilities that were found to be non-compliant were Nevada Homes for Youth, Aurora Center for Healing, Shannon West Homeless Youth Center, and four Advanced Foster Care Homes operated by Nevada’s Division of Child and Family Services. These facilities were reported to have health, safety, and civil rights violations, including rotten food in children’s rooms and failure to assess for sexual victimization.
While these seven facilities fell short of the standards, the audit found that the majority of child care facilities in the state did not have significant issues. However, many legislators expressed frustration with the recurring problems in some of these facilities, especially considering that they have been evaluated multiple times in the past.
Over the past five years, Nevada Homes for Youth was visited four times, while Advanced Foster Care Homes and Shannon West Homeless Youth Center were visited twice. The state received over 1,200 complaints regarding 34 facilities in a one-year period, leading to 101 children being placed out-of-state due to inadequate services.
Some facilities, such as Aurora Center for Healing, faced bans on admissions following inspections, and the state decided to no longer place children in certain facilities. The audit also highlighted issues such as non-compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act at Shannon West Homeless Youth Center.
The audit shed light on the lack of employee screening for child abuse or neglect in licensed health facilities, excluding state-operated psychiatric hospitals. Marla McDade Williams from DCFS emphasized the need for multiple parties to be involved in overseeing these facilities to ensure compliance with regulations.
While some facilities responded to the audit’s findings by stating their commitment to compliance, others did not provide comments. The audit serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining high standards in child care facilities to protect the well-being of vulnerable children.
In conclusion, the audit report serves as a wake-up call for the state to address the issues identified in child care facilities and to ensure that the safety and welfare of children are prioritized. It is crucial for all parties involved to work together to create a safe and supportive environment for children in need of care and protection.