CARSON CITY — Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Director, Romaine Gilliland, and the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) Administrator, Amber Howell, announced today that the federal Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children’s Bureau has determined DCFS to be in substantial compliance with federal eligibility requirements for the period under review. The review team determined that 78 of the 80 cases (97.5%) met eligibility requirements for the period under review. Since Nevada is in substantial compliance with the federal requirements, a secondary review is not required.
“I applaud both DCFS staff as well as staff from Clark County Department of Family Services and Washoe County Department of Social Services for continuing to improve services to the children and families of Nevada that we serve,” said Howell. “We consider every federal review as an opportunity to demonstrate improved outcomes for children and take pride in the positive feedback received from the Children’s Bureau.”
“DCFS has shown remarkable and sustained momentum towards improving its title IV-E foster care eligibility programs since the previous primary review conducted in March 2011,” said Gilliland.
The purpose of the primary title IV-E foster care eligibility review was to (1) determine whether Nevada was in compliance with the eligibility requirements as outlined in statute and regulations at section 472 of the Social Security Act and 45 CFS 1356.71; and (2) to validate the basis of DCFS’ claims to ensure that appropriate payments were made on behalf of eligible children. Sample cases were reviewed by a team comprised of federal and state staff to determine the level of compliance in meeting the federal eligibility requirements for the six-month period under review of April 1, 2013 to September 30, 2013. The statistical sample of 100 cases (80 cases plus 20 oversample cases) was drawn from state data submitted to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) for the above period. Eighty cases were reviewed.
“We commend the state for its excellent efforts to improve its title IV-E foster care eligibility program,” commented Joo Yeun Chang, Associate Commissioner, Children’s Bureau. “I thank you and your staff for the excellent effort that was made to prepare for and participate with us in this review.”
The next title IV-E foster care eligibility review will be held in three years. For more information about DCFS, including foster care, go to www.dcfs.state.nv.us.
SOURCE: DHHS.
