Nevada helps eligible young adults stay in child welfare support

Nevada allows eligible young adults to participate in the Extended Young Adult Support Services Program. People ages 18–20 qualify if they had a foster care placement order or a court case that could lead to foster care on their 18th birthday. They also qualify if they left the Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program or an adoption assistance program after reaching 16 and no longer receive care from their guardian or adoptive parent. Participants must sign a written agreement and make a good faith effort to meet their support plan’s goals. They must attend school, participate in an activity that supports employment, or work at least 80 hours a month. A documented medical or cognitive condition can excuse these activity requirements. The law took effect July 1, 2025.

Child welfare agencies must help young adults maintain eligibility unless they opt out of the program. The eligibility-help duty applies to the child welfare agency that served the young adult before their 18th birthday. Participation still requires a written agreement and meeting the program’s other eligibility requirements. For eligible participants, agencies must develop a plan with the young adult, arrange housing and support services, and help the young adult meet the plan’s goals. Agencies must discuss participation at least 120 days before a child in their custody turns 18. A young adult who leaves or opts out may request participation again before turning 21.

Participation cannot end until the court approves a transition plan and the young adult obtains the required documents. These safeguards cover young adults leaving the program. Agencies must help them prepare their transition plans and obtain the required documents. The transition plan and documents must meet the federal requirements named in the law. An agency seeking to end participation must notify the young adult and their attorney. The young adult has 15 days after receiving notice to request an informal review. If the review does not resolve the issue, the young adult or their attorney may request a court hearing.

Courts must review participants’ support plans and the agency’s efforts at least every six months. Reviews cover program participants and whether their child welfare agencies have made reasonable efforts to help them meet their goals. A court may assign the hearing to a panel of at least three people. At least one member must have no responsibility for managing the young adult’s case or providing their services. The young adult does not have to attend unless the court or panel requires it. The first hearing must occur within 180 days after the participant enters into the written agreement. Hearings follow at least every six months.

With the young adult’s consent, a child welfare agency may ask a court to end and immediately resume its authority over their case. This option covers young adults ages 18–20 who had a foster care placement order on their 18th birthday and were ineligible for the specified federal funding before that birthday. The agency must act on behalf of the young adult and have their consent. The purpose is to establish eligibility for federal foster care funding. Permission to request this process does not guarantee funding.