§ 62E.525 — Commitment of child to Division of Child and Family Services: Consideration of assessments and screenings in determination of placement of child; development of length of stay matrix and release criteria for state facility for detention of children; individualized case plan for child committed to custody; reentry planning meeting before release from facility

1. The Division of Child and Family Services shall consider, without limitation, the results of a validated risk assessment, a validated mental health screening and, if applicable, a full mental health assessment conducted pursuant to NRS 62E.506 to make decisions concerning the placement of the child. The Division may consider the results of a risk and needs assessment of the child that was conducted by a local department of juvenile services if the assessment was conducted within the immediately preceding 6 months and no significant changes have occurred relating to the child’s case.
2. The Division of Child and Family Services shall develop a length of stay matrix and establish release criteria for a state facility for the detention of children that are based on a child’s risk of reoffending, as determined by the risk assessment for the child, the seriousness of the act for which the child was adjudicated delinquent and the child’s progress in meeting treatment goals. In making release and discharge decisions, the Division shall use the matrix and release criteria developed pursuant to this subsection.
3. The Division of Child and Family Services shall develop a written individualized case plan for each child committed to the custody of the Division pursuant to NRS 62E.520 . In developing such a case plan, the Division must use, without limitation:
(a) The results of the risk assessment, mental health screening and any full mental health assessment conducted pursuant to NRS 62E.506 ;
(b) The trauma, if any, experienced by the child;
(c) The education level of the child;
(d) The seriousness of the offense committed by the child;
(e) The child’s progress in meeting treatment goals; and
(f) Any relevant information provided by the family of the child.
4. A case plan developed pursuant to subsection 3 must:
(a) Address the risks the child presents and the service needs of the child based on the results of the risk assessment, mental health screening and any full mental health assessment conducted pursuant to NRS 62E.506 ;
(b) Specify the level of supervision and services that the child needs;
(c) Provide referrals to treatment providers that may address the child’s risks and needs;
(d) Be developed in consultation with the child’s family or guardian, as appropriate;
(e) Specify the responsibilities of each person or agency involved with the child; and
(f) Provide for the full reentry of the child into the community.
5. In addition to the requirements of subsection 4, if a child is committed to a state facility for the detention of children, the child’s case plan must:
(a) Include a comprehensive plan for complete reentry of the child into the community; and
(b) Be reviewed at least once every 3 months by the Division of Child and Family Services.
6. A reentry plan developed pursuant to subsection 5 must include, without limitation:
(a) A detailed description of the education, counseling and treatment provided to the child;
(b) A proposed plan for the continued education, counseling and treatment of the child upon his or her release;
(c) A proposed plan for the provision of any supervision or services necessary for the transition of the child; and
(d) A proposed plan for any engagement of the child’s family or guardian.
7. The Division of Child and Family Services must update a child’s case plan at least once every 6 months, or when significant changes in the child’s treatment occur, by conducting another risk assessment and mental health screening using the tools selected by the Commission pursuant to NRS 62B.610 .
8. A reentry planning meeting must be held at least 30 days before a child’s scheduled release from a state facility for the detention of children. As appropriate, based on the child’s case plan, the meeting should be attended by:
(a) The child;
(b) A family member or the guardian of the child;
(c) The child’s youth parole counselor;
(d) The superintendent of the state facility for the detention of children; and
(e) Any treatment providers of the child.

Legislative History

(Added to NRS by 2017, 4389 )