Quality of Life Indicators

secure families data

substantiated reports of child abuse & neglect
domestic violence - updated 5/6/08

According to the Washoe County Department of Health and Human Services 2005-06 report, Nevada statutes require the Department to investigate reports of suspected child abuse or neglect immediately if the victim is under age five and up to three days if the victim is age six or older. Regardless of age, however, social workers respond immediately if the circumstances indicate that the alleged victim is in imminent danger. While the number of alleged abuse and/or neglect referrals has increased over the last five years, the percentage of children who have a second substantiated abuse incident within the 12 months following the initial substantiation declined in 2005-06.

The goal of the Washoe County Department of Social Services Adoption Program is the adoption of children who are without permanent families.  The goal of Washoe County is to, in a speedy manner, move children to a permanent adoptive home upon a judicial determination that reunification with the family of origin is not in the child’s best interest. Of the children exiting foster care to adoption, 25 % did so in less than 24 months. 

The Washoe County Department of Social Services is required by law to investigate reports of child abuse or neglect reported to the Department. As of 2001, counties with a population of over 100,000 became responsible for providing foster care and adoption services to their residents. These services were previously provided by the State of Nevada through the Division of Child and Family Services.
The Department’s goal is to ensure the safety of children in our community who are reported as abused or neglected and to protect them from further harm. Protection comes in a variety of forms, including voluntary services or legal intervention. Sometimes it is necessary to remove children from their homes to ensure their protection. When removal occurs, every reasonable effort is made to place children with an appropriate family member. If family members cannot provide a safe environment, alternative permanent placements are utilized.

substantiated reports of child abuse & neglect

The substantiation rate for child abuse reports has remained fairly consistent in recent years. Washoe County’s Human Services has developed programs to identify and assist families at risk of abuse and neglect. These targeted resources and services have helped many families and have brought the child abuse and neglect rates down in Washoe County. 

domestic violence - updated 5/6/08

TMT has tracked slightly different data in the past.  Although the number of shelter beds is important, it does not change significantly from year to year.  The numbers of client contacts reported by the Committee to Aid Abused Women (CAAW), as well as Safe Embrace, shows how widespread domestic violence is in our community.  CAAW reported that 70.6% of the total child shelter population for FY2006-07 were child shelter residents under the age of 5.  State statistics show that many men are victims of abuse.  Part of this is a reflection of the fact that when police respond to a domestic violence incidence, if both partners are injured, they must arrest and hold both for the mandatory “cooling off” period.  Victims of domestic violence cross racial and ethnic, socio--economic and gender lines.