How Nevada made big strides to keep kids with behavioral health issues out of institutions
Summary
Nevada has reduced the number of children with behavioral health disabilities placed in institutions by more than half. This change follows a federal agreement to improve community-based care and provides more funding to support children’s mental health services in the state.Key Facts
- Since January 2025, institutional placements of youth with behavioral health disabilities dropped from 35% to 16%.
- The reduction is part of a five-year settlement between Nevada and the U.S. Department of Justice.
- The DOJ found Nevada was placing too many children in psychiatric hospitals, often out of state, instead of community settings.
- Nevada has invested over $100 million to improve behavioral healthcare for children through Medicaid.
- New funding raises payments for rural and in-home therapy and specialized foster care.
- Behavioral health disabilities include severe mental health crises and risks such as self-harm or aggression.
- The goal is to provide care in more family-like, community settings rather than institutions.
- Officials see this as a first step in ongoing improvements needed for children’s access to care.
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