October 15, 2008

Performance Audit of Nevada's Child Welfare System: Final Report for the Legislative Counsel Bureau Audit Division Pursuant to A.B. 629

Assembly Bill 629 of the 2007 Nevada Legislature mandated that a performance audit of Nevada's child welfare agencies be conducted. This legislation was passed in response to documented concerns regarding the appropriate provision of services by the agencies, including inconsistent data and multiple safety issues. The audit included case reviews (including Unified Nevada Information Technology for Youth (UNITY) reviews and site visits); management and administrator interviews; caseworker focus groups and surveys; and law and policy analysis.

This report describes the research team's methods for data collection for each component, findings, and a conclusion including recommendations for improvement. During the course of the audit, 195 cases were reviewed among the three child welfare agencies in the State, 25 supervisors were interviewed, and 68 social workers participated in focus groups. In addition, 283 components of each agency's policies and procedures were reviewed. The report concludes that the agencies are not neglectful of their duties or commitments to keep children safe in the community, however, severe changes need to be implemented to provide better service to families. The agencies are not consistent in practice, documentation, or in implementing policies and procedures that are dictated by the law, and there is a lack of incorporation of best practice recommendations. Recommendations for improving services are discussed and 31 tables are provided.