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Joint subcommittee defers decision on Unity child-welfare system replacement, cites ARPA timing risk
Summary
The Human Services Joint Subcommittee unanimously deferred a funding decision on replacing Nevada's Unity child-welfare information system, directing staff to research alternatives after members raised concerns that ARPA deadlines may prevent full expenditure by Dec. 31, 2026.
The Human Services Joint Subcommittee unanimously voted to defer a decision on continuing funding for the Division of Child and Family Services’ Unity system replacement, citing concern that available American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds may not be fully spent before the federal December 31, 2026 deadline.
The subcommittee’s discussion focused on whether the state can realistically expend roughly $18.4 million in ARPA funds previously authorized for the Unity replacement project. Daniel Miller of the Legislative Counsel Bureau’s fiscal analysis division outlined the governor’s recommendation and agency projections, describing authorized ARPA authority of about $16.1 million and federal Title IV‑E authority of about $21.5 million over the 2025–27 biennium and noting the agency’s estimate that an additional $5.4 million in general fund would be required in FY 2027 to fully fund the project as currently scoped.
Marta McDade Williams, administrator for the Division of Child and Family Services, told the subcommittee the division completed a needs assessment in the prior four weeks and has contracted a vendor from a master services agreement to assist in drafting a request for proposals. She said the RFP is anticipated to be released in late summer or September, with vendor selection and system development expected to begin in early 2026.
Committee members questioned whether the project timeline allows full expenditure of ARPA funds by the federal deadline and whether “off‑the‑shelf” options might deliver improvements faster. Assemblymember Monroe Moreno and other members expressed concern that only about $1.9 million of the $18.4 million had been expended to date and said the projected implementation schedule extending into late 2027 risks reversion of federal funds. McDade Williams said other states follow similar procurement paths and reiterated that fully compliant CCWIS (Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System) solutions generally require customization.
After debate about timeline, customization risks and alternative uses for ARPA funds, Assemblymember Mosca moved and Senator Dondero Loop seconded a motion to defer the funding decision to the full committee so fiscal staff could research other potential solutions. The motion carried unanimously.
The subcommittee also discussed two options for action if the full committee later chose to continue the project: (1) recommend general fund appropriations of $5.4 million in FY 2027, place those funds in the restricted IFC contingency account and direct the division to seek the funding after providing updated projections, and (2) issue a letter of intent requiring semiannual reporting on project status to the Interim Finance Committee. The subcommittee did not approve either option at this meeting.
The discussion made clear members’ concerns about timeline risk, the complexity and cost of customization, and the need to ensure ARPA funds are expended before federal deadlines or redirected to other approved projects.
The subcommittee recessed for one minute after the vote and then continued with other budget closings.
