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Nevada

Context Data | Outcomes Data | Federal Comment

Nevada [ Context Data ]

A. Key Context Statistics


General Population
(Census Bureau)

1999

2000

2001

2002

Total children under 18 years

491,476

543,372

551,467

572,590

Race/ethnicity (%)1, 2

 

 

 

 

Alaska Native/American Indian1.71.21.21.2
AsianN/A443.9
Asian/Pacific Islander4.8N/AN/AN/A
Black8.3887.9
Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific IslanderN/AN/A0.40.4
Hispanic23.628.62929.6
White61.65453.953.5
Two or more racesN/A4.13.53.5
OtherN/A0.200

% Child population in poverty

17

12.4

9.1

12.1



Child Welfare Summary

1999

2000

2002

2002

Child maltreatment victims38,2385,7754,9395,008
Children in foster care on 9/30--1,6152,9593,018
Children adopted123231244253


1The convention for the data tables is the following: N/A in the data table means that the category was not applicable for the specific year. A dash (-) means that there is "no value" or the category is a true zero (that is, no children were reported as being in that category). A zero (0) means that there is a value for the category, but the value is less than 0.1 percent.Back
2The multiple and overlapping race categories in this and subsequent race tables are due to changes in the Census Bureau categories beginning in 2000. Because the reporting of these categories is a relatively new process for States, changes in percentages over time may be due to data quality issues.Back
3A child victim is a child who is the subject of a substantiated or indicated maltreatment report. Children with more than one report of substantiated or indicated maltreatment may be counted more than once.Back

B. Child Maltreatment Data (NCANDS)


 

Number

Rate

Maltreatment Information Overview

1999

2000

2001

2002

1999

2000

2001

2002

Children subject of an investigated report alleging child maltreatment 27,68220,43722,52922,49156.3 per 1,00037.6 per 1,00040.8 per 1,00039.3 per 1,000
Child maltreatment victims8,2385,7754,9395,00816.8 per 1,00010.6 per 1,0009.0 per 1,0008.8 per 1,000
Child fatalities73431.4 per 100,0000.6 per 100,0000.7 per 100,0000.5 per 100,000


Age of Child Victims (%)

1999

2000

2001

2002

Under 1 Year12.311.112.513.1
1-5 years36.736.133.336.6
6-10 years29.328.728.125
11-15 years18.61920.719
16+ years3.13.33.63.7
Unknown / Missing data01.91.92.5
Total %100100100100

Number

8,238

5,775

4,939

5,008



Race/Ethnicity of Child Victims (%)

1999

2000

2001

2002

Alaska Native/American Indian1.31.221.7
Asian/Pacific Islander10.70.71
Black20.223.718.618.7
Hispanic7.24.54.64.6
White65.366.270.270
Two or more races4.9------
Total %4107.2100100100

Number

8,238

5,775

4,939

5,008



Maltreatment Type of Child Victims (%)

1999

2000

2001

2002

Emotional Abuse3.73.54.72.5
Medical Neglect2.21.91.82
Neglect22.142.834.852.6
Physical Abuse14.61816.317.6
Sexual Abuse2.84.54.54.9
Unknown / Missing data0------
Other54.751.245.620.5
Total %5100121.9107.7100

Number

8,238

5,775

4,939

5,008



4Percentages may total more than 100 percent because Hispanics may be counted both by Hispanic ethnicity and by race.Back
5Percentages may total more than 100 percent because children could have been victims of more than one type of maltreatment.Back

C. Children in Foster Care (AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database)


Number of Children

In Care on 10/1

Entered Care

Exited Care

In Care on 9/30

Total Served

FY1999 (10/1/98 - 9/30/99)----------
FY2000 (10/1/99 - 9/30/00)1,3296733871,6152,002
FY2001 (10/1/00 - 9/30/01)2,6743,3383,0532,9596,012
FY2002 (10/1/01 - 9/30/02)2,9223,1743,0783,0186,096

Median Length of Stay (Months)

 

FY1999 (10/1/98 - 9/30/99)--N/A----N/A
FY2000 (10/1/99 - 9/30/00)16.7N/A13.317N/A
FY2001 (10/1/00 - 9/30/01)20.6N/A0.220.3N/A
FY2002 (10/1/01 - 9/30/02)20.4N/A0.320.6N/A


Age of Children in Foster Care (%)

In Care On: 10/1/98

In Care On: 10/1/99

In Care On: 10/1/00

In Care On: 10/1/01

Entered Care During FY: 1999

Entered Care During FY: 2000

Entered Care During FY: 2001

Entered Care During FY: 2002

Exited Care During FY: 1999

Exited Care During FY: 2000

Exited Care During FY:2001

Exited Care During FY: 2002

In Care On: 9/30/99

In Care On: 9/30/00

In Care On: 9/30/01

In Care On: 9/30/02

Under 1 Year--5.75.55.4--19.215.415.7--4.710.910.7--4.55.55
1-5 years--31.232.331.3--3633.432.8--33.135.533.9--34.731.331.1
6-10 years--27.82626--23.824.523.8--31.524.726.3--26.72624.3
11-15 years--26.623.823--17.120.220.2--2420.520.3--23.22322.7
16-18 years--7.91112--3.75.56.8--5.76.97.3--10.212.113.2
19+ years--0.50.81.4----0----10.60.6--0.41.43.1
Unknown / Missing data--0.40.60.7--0.310.7----11--0.30.70.6
Total %--100100100--100100100--100100100--100100100

Number

--

1,329

2,674

2,922

--

673

3,338

3,174

--

387

3,053

3,078

--

1,615

2,959

3,018



Race/Ethnicity of Children in Foster Care (%)

In Care On: 10/1/98

In Care On: 10/1/99

In Care On: 10/1/00

In Care On: 10/1/01

Entered Care During FY: 1999

Entered Care During FY: 2000

Entered Care During FY: 2001

Entered Care During FY: 2002

Exited Care During FY: 1999

Exited Care During FY: 2000

Exited Care During FY:2001

Exited Care During FY: 2002

In Care On: 9/30/99

In Care On: 9/30/00

In Care On: 9/30/01

In Care On: 9/30/02

Alaska Native/American Indian--1.40.30.3--0.60.80.2--2.60.90.5--0.80.30
AsianN/A1.10.60.6N/A11.21N/A2.61.21N/A0.70.70.6
Asian/Pacific Islander--N/AN/AN/A--N/AN/AN/A--N/AN/AN/A--N/AN/AN/A
Black--20.92320.4--15.621.319.5--6.523.520.3--22.220.619.5
Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific IslanderN/A1.111N/A10.81N/A0.30.80.9N/A1.211.1
Hispanic--10.38.911.3--10.118.921.7--12.117.621.5--9.811.211.9
White--5759.857--60.249.349.2--63.851.149.9--56.756.956.1
Two or more racesN/A2.82.94.9N/A3.14.24.3N/A1.32.44N/A3.34.95.2
Unknown / Missing data--5.43.64.4--8.33.43.1--10.92.61.9--5.34.45.6
Total %--100100100--100100100--100100100--100100100

Number

--

1,329

2,674

2,922

--

673

3,338

3,174

--

387

3,053

3,078

--

1,615

2,959

3,018



D. Children Waiting to be Adopted (AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database:  Fiscal Year Data)6


Overview

9/30/99

9/30/00

9/30/01

9/30/02

Children waiting to be adopted--68593536
Children whose parents' rights have been terminated (TPR)--67----


Age of Waiting Children (%)

1999

2000

2001

2002

Under 1 Year--1.55.97.5
1-5 years--35.345.940.7
6-10 years--32.431.531.9
11-15 years--23.515.218.1
16+ years--7.40.81.5
Unknown / Missing data----0.70.4
Total %--100100100

Number

--

68

593

536



Race/Ethnicity of Waiting Children (%)

1999

2000

2001

2002

Alaska Native/American Indian--1.5----
AsianN/A1.50.70.6
Asian/Pacific Islander--N/AN/AN/A
Black--22.122.321.1
Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific IslanderN/A1.51.31.7
Hispanic--5.97.49.3
White--66.260.958.8
Two or more racesN/A1.55.76.5
Unknown / Missing data----1.72.1
Total %--100100100

Number

--

68

593

536



6Waiting children are children who have a goal of adoption and/or whose parents' rights have been terminated (TPR). Children 16 years and older with TPR, but with a goal of emancipation have been excluded from the waiting children and TPR populations.Back

E. Children Adopted (AFCARS Annual Adoption Database)


Age of Adopted Children (%)

1999

2000

2001

2002

Under 1 Year3.330.80.8
1-5 years56.159.760.747.8
6-10 years27.62625.834
11-15 years139.511.916.2
16+ years--1.70.81.2
Total %100100100100

Number

123

231

244

253



Race/Ethnicity of Adopted Children (%)

1999

2000

2001

2002

Alaska Native/American Indian0.81.30.80.4
AsianN/A1.322.4
Asian/Pacific Islander--N/AN/AN/A
Black17.122.52326.1
Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific IslanderN/A----1.2
Hispanic6.512.612.39.1
White74.860.261.956.1
Two or more racesN/A----4.7
Unknown / Missing data0.82.2----
Total %100100100100

Number

123

231

244

253



Back to Top


Nevada [ Outcomes Data ]

1. Reduce Recurrence of Child Abuse and/or Neglect (NCANDS)

1.1 Recurrence of Maltreatment Within 6 Months (%)

1999

2000

2001

2002

Children without a recurrence--------
Children with one or more recurrences--------
Total %--------

Number

--

--

--

--



Graph of the Recurrence of Maltreatment Within 6 Months

2. Reduce the Incidence of Child Abuse and/or Neglect in Foster Care (NCANDS, AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database Jan-Sept)

2.1 Maltreatment in Foster Care (%)

1999

2000

2001

2002

Children maltreated while in foster care--------
Children not maltreated while in foster care--------
Total %--------

Number

--

--

--

--



Graph of the Occurance of Maltreatment in Foster Care

3. Increase Permanency for Children in Foster Care (AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database:  Fiscal Year Data)

3.1 Exits from Foster Care (%)

1999

2000

2001

2002

Adoption----7.17
Guardianship--0.321.9
Reunification--3871.868.8
Other--5.42.42.6
Missing data--56.316.619.6
Total %--100100100

Number

 

387

3,053

3,078



Percent Exits from Foster Care

1999200020012002
Graph of Exits from Foster Care in 1999Graph of Exits from Foster Care in 2000Graph of Exits from Foster Care in 2001Graph of Exits from Foster Care in 2002
 

3.2 Exits of Disabled Children (%)

1999

2000

2001

2002

Adoption----33.311.4
Guardianship--9.1--2.3
Reunification--45.542.956.8
Other----14.39.1
Missing data--45.59.520.5
Total %--100100100

Number

 

11

21

44



3.3 Exits of Children Over Age 12 at Entry (%)

1999

2000

2001

2002

Adoption------0.4
Guardianship--2.20.80.8
Reunification--26.778.275.3
Other--6.73.85.8
Missing data--64.417.217.7
Total %--100100100

Number

 

45

495

515



3.4 Exits to Emancipation (%)

1999

2000

2001

2002

Children age 12 or younger at entry--5067.539.5
Children older than 12 at entry--5032.560.5
Missing data--------
Total %--100100100

Number

 

2

40

38



3.5 Exits by Race/Ethnicity (%)

Alaska Native/A.I.

Asian

Asian/Pacific Islander

Black

Native Hawaiian/ Other P.I.

 

1999

2000

2001

2002

1999

2000

2001

2002

1999

2000

2001

2002

1999

2000

2001

2002

1999

2000

2001

2002

Adoption--------N/A--5.63.2--N/AN/AN/A----6.76.7N/A--4.27.4
Guardianship--------N/A----3.2--N/AN/AN/A----2.12.1N/A------
Reunification----88.566.7N/A1083.364.5--N/AN/AN/A--43.22.1N/A--87.585.2
Other--------N/A--------N/AN/AN/A--5613.513.3N/A------
Missing data--10011.533.3N/A9011.129N/A1008.37.4
Total %--100100100N/A100100100--N/AN/AN/A--100100100N/A100100100

Number

--

10

26

15

N/A

10

36

31

--

N/A

N/A

N/A

--

25

716

625

N/A

1

24

27

 

 

Hispanic

White

Unable to Determine

Two or More Races

Missing Data

 

1999

2000

2001

2002

1999

2000

2001

2002

1999

2000

2001

2002

1999

2000

2001

2002

1999

2000

2001

2002

Adoption----2.23.2----9.49----6.21.7N/A--2.78.9--------
Guardianship----0.71.7--0.42.62----2.56.8N/A--------------
Reunification--51.179.976.7--41.767.963.2--16.74547.5N/A4083.869.9--------
Other--8.50.61.1--4.52.83--4.83.816.9N/A601.42.4--------
Missing data--40.416.517.4--53.417.322.8--78.642.527.1N/A--12.218.7--------
Total %--100100100--100100100--100100100N/A100100100--------

Number

--

47

538

661

--

247

1,559

1,537

--

42

80

59

N/A

5

74

123

--

--

--

--



4. Reduce Time to Reunification Without Increasing Re-entry (AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database:  Fiscal Year Data)

4.1 Time to Reunification (%)

1999

2000

2001

2002

Less than 12 mos.--60.594.190.9
At least 12 mos., but less than 24 mos.--27.93.64.6
At least 24 mos., but less than 36 mos.--5.41.31.5
At least 36 mos., but less than 48 mos.--1.40.50.5
48 or more mos.--4.80.52.5
Missing data------0
Total %100100100

Number

 

147

2,193

2,119



Graph of Time to Reunification



4.2 Children Who Entered Foster Care (%)

1999

2000

2001

2002

Children entering care for the first time--78.68485.4
Children re-entering care within 12 mos. of a prior episode--2.596.9
Children re-entering care more than 12 mos. after a prior episode--1.53.45.7
Missing data--17.43.62
Total %100100100

Number

 

673

3,338

3,174



Graph of Re-entries Into Foster Care

5. Reduce Time in Foster Care to Adoption (AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database:  Fiscal Year Data)

5.1 Time to Adoption (%)

1999

2000

2001

2002

Less than 12 mos.----1810.6
At least 12 mos., but less than 24 mos.----18.418.5
At least 24 mos., but less than 36 mos.----23.522.2
At least 36 mos., but less than 48 mos.----13.416.7
48 or more mos.----26.731.9
Missing data--------
Total %--100100

Number

--

 

217

216



Graph of Time to Adoption

6. Increase Placement Stability (AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database)

6.1 Number of Placements by Time in Care (%)

Year

Children With 2 or Fewer Placements

Children With 2 or Fewer Placements

Missing Data

Total %

Number

Less than 12 mos.1999------0--
200036.31.362.4100760
200197.42.6--1003,531
200294.95.1--1003,415
At least 12 mos., but less than 24 mos.1999------0--
20006.53.390.2100510
200189.610.4--100826
200281.118.9--100885
At least 24 mos., but less than 36 mos.1999------0--
20005.31.693.1100245
200194.85.2--100503
200276.423.6--100543
At least 36 mos., but less than 48 mos.1999------0--
200042.993.1100173
200194.65.4--100313
200289.210.8--100352
48 or more mos.1999------0--
20005.18.986100314
200195.84.2--100834
200287.212.8--100894
Missing data1999------0--
2000------0--
2001100----1005
2002100----1007


Graph of Children Experiencing 2 or Fewer Placements

7. Reduce Placements of Young Children in Group Homes or Institutions (AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database)

7.1 Most Recent Placement Settings of Children Who Entered Care During the Fiscal Year and Were Age 12 or Younger at the Time of This Placement (%)

1999

2000

2001

2002

Group homes--0.9----
Institutions--5.793.892.6
Other settings--93.46.17.2
Missing data----0.10.2
Total %100100100

Number

 

212

2,140

1,947



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Nevada [ Federal Comment ]

The following discussion focuses on Nevada’s performance with regard to each of the outcomes assessed in the Child Welfare Outcomes Annual Reports to Congress. The Nevada Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) was completed in fiscal year (FY) 2004, and compliance with the national standards was based on data from 2002. The final report for that review is available from the Child Welfare Monitoring Documents Library. A discussion of the implications of CFSR findings for Nevada’s performance on the Report to Congress Outcomes is provided below.

The Federal Comment includes an examination of State performance in 2002 and the percent change in performance from 1999 to 2002. A difference in percent change from 1999 to 2002 that was less than 5.0 in either direction was considered to represent “no change in performance.” With the exception of outcome measure 2.1, the data presented in the Report to Congress are rounded to one decimal. However, the percent change in performance was calculated using data rounded to two decimals. Measure 2.1 is rounded to two decimals because the national standard is less than one percent. Key findings of the analyses of national data pertaining to State variation in performance on the outcome measures are incorporated into a State’s Federal Comment when relevant.

Outcome 1. Reduce recurrence of child abuse and/or neglect
Nevada’s performance on outcome 1 cannot be assessed as part of the Federal Comment section because the State did not provide sufficient data to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) to calculate this outcome at that time. To ensure data consistency across States, only data submitted through NCANDS are presented for this outcome in the Report to Congress. However, the State provided 2002 data for this outcome for its CFSR using an alternative source. According to the alternative source, 7.6 percent of the children who were the subject of a substantiated or indicated maltreatment report in the first 6 months of the year experienced an additional substantiated or indicated maltreatment report within 6 months of the first report. The national standard for this measure is 6.1 percent or fewer.

Information from the CFSR Final Report indicates that repeat maltreatment was identified as an area needing improvement for the State. According to the CFSR Final Report, stakeholders expressed concern that maltreatment allegations on open child welfare cases frequently are not subjected to a formal investigation or assessment, and that many reports are not being substantiated when there is evidence to warrant substantiation. Stakeholders also expressed concern that there are no standard guidelines in the State for substantiating maltreatment reports.

Outcome 2. Reduce the incidence of child abuse and/or neglect in foster care
Nevada’s performance on outcome 2 cannot be evaluated as part of the Federal Comment section because the State did not provide data to NCANDS for calculating this outcome at that time. In order to ensure data consistency across States, only data submitted through the NCANDS system are presented for this outcome in the Report to Congress. However, the State provided 2002 data for this outcome for its CFSR using an alternative source. According to the alternative source, 0.17 percent of children in foster care for the first 6 months of 2002 were maltreated by foster parents or facility staff members. The national standard for this measure is 0.57 percent or fewer.

Outcome 3. Increase permanency for children in foster care
Nevada’s performance on the measures assessing outcome 3 cannot be assessed because of the large percentage of children exiting foster care in FY 2002, as well as in prior years, who did not have “reason for discharge” information.

Outcome 4. Reduce time to reunification without increasing re-entry
In FY 2002, the percentage of all reunifications in Nevada occurring within 12 months of a child’s entry into foster care was 90.9. Performance on this measure cannot be interpreted because almost 20 percent of the children reported as exiting foster care in FY 2002 did not have “reason for discharge” information. Information from the CFSR Final Report indicates that stakeholders in the State believe that reunifications occur in a timely manner.

Nevada’s performance in FY 2002 with regard to the percent of re-entries into foster care within 12 months of a discharge from a prior foster care episode was 6.9 percent, which is less than both the national standard (8.6 percent or less) and the national median (9.9 percent). Change in performance on this measure from FY 1999 to FY 2002 cannot be assessed because data are not available for FY 1999. Information from the CFSR Final Report indicates that the State’s success in preventing re-entry into foster care may be attributed to the common practice of the agency to maintain custody of the child for up to 6 months after physical reunification occurs in order to support the reintegration of the family and to ensure that the family has continued access to services.

Outcome 5. Reduce time in foster care to adoption
In FY 2002, the percentage of all finalized adoptions occurring within 24 months of a child’s entry into foster care was 29.1. However, performance on this measure cannot be interpreted because almost 20 percent of the children reported as exiting foster care in FY 2002 did not have “reason for discharge” information.

Information from the CFSR Final Report identifies the following as potential barriers to timely adoptions: (1) agency delays in completing the necessary paperwork due to workload issues; (2) a lack of procedures in the State for approaching foster parents about the possibility of adoption; (3) a reluctance on the part of the agency to file for termination of parental rights if no adoptive home has been identified; (4) a lack of understanding of concurrent planning in some areas of the State; and (5) the high caseloads carried by State adoption workers.

Outcome 6. Increase placement stability
In FY 2002, the percentage of children who experienced no more than 2 placement settings during their first 12 months in foster care was 94.9, which is more than both the national standard (86.7 percent or more) and the national median (84.1 percent). Nevada’s performance on this measure cannot be assessed due to potential data quality issues (i.e., fluctuations in performance from 36.3 percent in FY 2000 to 94.9 percent in FY 2002). Information from the CFSR Final Report suggests that the primary barrier to placement stability is the use of shelter placements as the first placements for children or when there is a placement disruption.

Outcome 7. Reduce placements of young children in group homes and institutions
Nevada reported that in FY 2002, 92.6 percent of the children age 12 or younger were placed in a group home or institution, which is the highest percentage in the nation and more than 10 times the national median of 8.6 percent. Although it is believed that this percentage may reflect an error in data reporting, the CFSR Final Report suggests that shelter placements frequently are used as first placements for children, regardless of the age of the child.

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