Foster care (also known as out-of-home care) is a temporary service provided by each state for children who cannot live with their families. Children in foster care may live with relatives or with unrelated foster parents. Foster care can also refer to placement settings such as group homes, residential care facilities, emergency shelters, and supervised independent living.
In Nevada, foster care is regulated by the Nevada Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) under the Department of Health and Human Services. The state provides temporary out-of-home care for children who are unable to live with their families due to safety concerns, abuse, neglect, or other family issues. Children in foster care may be placed with relatives, known as kinship care, or with licensed foster parents. There are also other placement options such as group homes, residential care facilities, emergency shelters, and supervised independent living programs for older youth. The goal of foster care in Nevada is to provide a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for children while working towards family reunification, permanency through adoption, or another permanent living arrangement. State statutes and regulations outline the requirements for foster care providers, the rights of children in foster care, and the processes for placement, case management, and exiting the foster care system.