State of Nevada, Dept. of Health and Human Services, Division of Child and Family Services

The Finance Committee meeting agenda included an opening item with roll call, two public comment periods for items on and off the agenda, and a detailed technical review and recommendation session regarding the foundational financial policies and internal controls. During the technical review, the committee planned to evaluate the proposed policies for compliance with the Nevada Department of Education Chart of Accounts and NRS 332 procurement standards. The committee could recommend adoption, mandate revisions, or request a third-party compliance review.

The meeting began with the confirmation of quorum and opening remarks setting a collaborative focus for 2023 to positively impact youth and adults needing behavioral health support. The discussion then moved to public comment, which included an update regarding Children's Week at the Legislature in March. The commission approved the minutes from the October 10, 2022 special meeting, excluding two commissioners who were not present. The main agenda item involved an update on recent concerns regarding seclusion and restraint reports from Never Give Up, following organizational restructuring effective January 1st. The presenter detailed investments in training and structural improvements, emphasizing a focus on quality metrics, patient-centered reintegration, and discharge planning, including successful placement for children in rural areas. Specific progress on the Sanctuary Model implementation was shared, noting that over 90 percent of staff are trained, leading to positive outcomes such as a 53 percent decrease in the use of physical restraints compared to the previous three months.

The meeting commenced with roll call and confirmation of quorum. Public comment was heard from one individual regarding recommendations for funding notices for community members affected by the opioid epidemic. The committee then proceeded to approve the minutes from the May 18th meeting. The primary focus was a presentation on the scoring methodology developed using an objective tool to prioritize recommendations based on impact, urgency, feasibility, and alignment with legislative targets (overdose prevention, addressing healthcare disparities, and youth substance use prevention). The discussion covered how the committee's recommendations fit into this scoring assessment.

The meeting commenced with roll call to establish quorum. Key discussion points included an update on committee member changes, welcoming new members Jamie Ross and Malika Toston, and a reflection on the committee's role in guiding litigation funds from opioid settlements to support community recovery. The chair announced an upcoming cross-sector task force meeting on June 26th to develop strategies for addressing opioid-related overdose batches. The committee also discussed the future meeting schedule, aiming for every other month or every three months through 2024, to review fund distribution effectiveness. A significant portion of the meeting involved an update from the fund representative regarding recent major settlements (Walmart, CVS, Teva), the release of a Notice of Funding Opportunity with six target areas (e.g., behavioral health treatment, youth services, medication for opioid use disorder), and initial funding decisions for specific targets including treatment availability and support for criminal justice systems. Further discussions covered the procurement of handheld Mass Spectrometers, funding for a pharmacist conference, MOUD treatment in jails, and support for various recovery and prevention programs, including naloxone distribution and xylazine test strip procurement.

The subcommittee meeting commenced with roll call confirming quorum. Discussions included a period for public comment, which concluded with no submissions received. The primary agenda items involved the approval of previous minutes from August 20, 2024, and September 17, 2024. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to an update and discussion regarding Agenda Item Number Five, which featured a presentation by the Lived Experience Advisory Board (LEEB) on their Workforce Development initiative in Northern Nevada, focusing on multidisciplinary integration and vertical integration of services to stabilize clients and prevent recidivism. The committee also discussed Agenda Item Number Six concerning progress on the Strategic Plan and Action Plan, including addressing duplication among champion reports and determining the most efficient path forward for finalizing and elevating the plan, possibly by submitting current drafts to the larger Interagency Council.