Nevada officials reported a drop in institutional placements for children with behavioral health disabilities, alongside new services and higher service rates statewide.
State officials report changes
The Associated Press / The Nevada Independent reports that Nevada state officials announced a “dramatic drop” in the number of children with behavioral health disabilities placed in institutional settings. The source says officials also announced other changes involving the state’s behavioral health system.
According to The Associated Press / The Nevada Independent, those changes include the launch of new services and increases in service rates. The source describes the developments as progress in Nevada’s efforts to comply with federal disabilities law.
The report does not present the announcement as the end of Nevada’s work. Instead, The Associated Press / The Nevada Independent says state officials described the changes as part of continuing improvements to the system.
Federal disabilities-law efforts
The Associated Press / The Nevada Independent reports that the changes follow concerns raised by the U.S. Department of Justice. According to the source, the department called out deficiencies in Nevada’s compliance with federal disabilities law four years earlier.
The source links the reported decrease in institutional placements to Nevada’s move toward a community-based mental healthcare model. The Associated Press / The Nevada Independent says state officials presented the new services and rate increases alongside that model.
The report identifies children with behavioral health disabilities as the group affected by the reported placement changes. It also distinguishes institutional settings from the community-based mental healthcare approach described by state officials.
Nevada Medicaid administrator comments
The Associated Press / The Nevada Independent identifies Ann Jensen as the administrator of Nevada Medicaid. Jensen described the reported decrease in placements and the new community-based mental healthcare model as a “big win” that should be celebrated, according to the source.
Jensen also said the changes are only the first of many improvements that still need to happen, The Associated Press / The Nevada Independent reports. She said the development reflects many small parts of the system continuing to improve each day.
The source presents Jensen’s comments as part of the state’s announcement of progress, while also noting her view that additional work remains necessary.
What this means for Nevada patients
For Nevada patients and families trying to find treatment locally, The Associated Press / The Nevada Independent’s report provides state-level context on changes involving children’s behavioral health services. The directory lists 54 published clinics in Nevada.
General information only; not medical advice.
More Nevada reporting on youth & families.
This report is educational and is not medical advice. Coverage, availability and eligibility can change; verify details with the named source or your care team.