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Counties say placements, mental‑health beds and staff shortages hamper juvenile services, with girls overrepresented in some treatment placements
Summary
Washoe and Clark county juvenile services reported declining referrals but increased complexity and a disproportionate share of females in residential treatment centers; both counties pointed to limited in-state inpatient beds, evaluator shortages, and staffing vacancies as barriers to timely placement.
Elizabeth Flores, director of Washoe County Juvenile Services, and John Munoz, director of Clark County Juvenile Justice Services, told the committee that counties face placement and workforce constraints even as diversion rates rise.
Flores presented Washoe County data showing 2,643 referrals in 2025, an average daily population of 26, and an average length of stay of 14 days (37 days for youth staying more than three days). She emphasized that females accounted for under 30% of referrals but about 46% of residential-treatment-center placements in 2025, noting an overrepresentation of girls in RTCs and a high share of commercial sexually exploited children (CSEC) among female referrals.
Munoz described Clark County’s continuum and the county’s new gender-responsive Pivot Point residential program for girls. He said Clark has seen a 78.6% increase in female out-of-home placements over three years, and identified staffing vacancies (more than 50 open positions across juvenile services in Clark) and aging facilities as operational challenges.
Both directors said counties are expanding evidence-based interventions where possible (Multisystemic Therapy and reentry planning) and partnering with schools and community providers. They asked the committee to consider funding, recruitment and program growth to reduce wait times and avoid prolonged detention stays while placements are located.
Why it matters: Counties manage day-to-day juvenile housing and placement. Increased complexity of youth needs, more girls in RTCs and limited inpatient options place pressure on county budgets and system capacity. Lawmakers asked for follow-up details and indicated interest in program support and workforce strategies.
What’s next: Counties will provide further data on gender trends and placement availability; committee staff will consider whether statutory or budget actions are needed to support county capacity.
