Go to main contentsGo to main menu
Thursday, September 17, 2026 at 8:08 AM

Nevada awarded $1.5 million in federal funds to invest in juvenile justice services

  • 01/04/2022 05:48 AM
Nevada awarded $1.5 million in federal funds to invest in juvenile justice services

The Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) has recently received more than $1.5 million to serve youth at risk of delinquency or those who commit low-level crimes.  

The funding was awarded from the Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) FY 2021 Delinquency Prevention Grants Program and will be used to target unfunded or underfunded services in Nevada’s lowest-income counties.  

DCFS’s Juvenile Justice Programs Office (JJPO) applied for these funds to support programs and efforts in Carson, Storey, Clark, Churchill, Elko, Lyon, and Washoe counties.  

Delinquency Prevention Grant funds can be used to support programs for individuals ages 17 and younger who are at risk of delinquency or commit low-level crimes and/or status offenses. The goal of delinquency prevention is to divert youth from deeper involvement in the juvenile justice system by addressing needs upon referral or entry into the system.  

Projects anticipated as part of this award include:  

Funds for mental health and sex offender assessments in rural counties (Carson, Storey, Churchill, Elko, Lyon, and Washoe). Many juveniles referred to the juvenile justice system are without insurance, so these assessments are funded with state or county funds.  

Funds for a Prevention Before Apprehension (PBA) project in Las Vegas. PBA is a proactive educational outreach program that involves officers in plain clothes teaming with Clark County School District (CCSD) social workers to provide delinquency prevention education to parents and youth.  

There is no single cause that drives youth to commit acts of delinquency, but some factors are poverty, lack of supervision, substance abuse, and mental health disorders. Services and/or funds to address these needs are effective in preventing deeper system involvement.  

“We are focusing on front-end services, or services to prevent juveniles from committing additional crimes,” JJPO Chief Leslie Bittleston stated. “It is more efficient to provide front end services than to house a youth in county juvenile detention facility or state youth facility.”  

Delinquency is a term used specifically for juveniles aged 17 and below, who commit crimes. There are two types of crimes that a juvenile can commit:  

• A status offense: This is an offense for an individual aged 17 or below, but not for someone 18 or older. Examples of status offenses include runaway, truancy, and curfew.  

• A delinquent offense: This is an offense committed by a youth aged 17 and below that would also be a crime if committed by someone ages 18 and above.  

Funds are available from October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2026. DCFS will collect and report the number of youths served and the outcome of the services annually to OJJDP. 

Upload date: 01/04/2022 05:48 AM
Share
Rate

Comment

Comments

COMMENTS
Comment author: Christopher Walsh Comment text: Could you look into the strong recurring smell around Fernley? It smells like sewage and it can be bad enough that people don’t want to be outside or open their windows. It would be helpful to get an investigative journalist help the Fernley residents get a clear answer from the City, NDEP, and any involved facilities. I was really disappointed that the smell was not disclosed by my realtor when I moved here. I enjoy Fernley and am seeing the improvements that are being made. With Appreciation Comment publication date: 9/12/26, 2:49 PM Comment source: Sewage spill near City of Fernley Municipal Well 9 Comment author: Alicia Euresti Comment text: We are all so blessed to have Pastor Matt and Mrs. Regina in this town. They have become a major part of pur family and our children adore them. Thank you both for all you do for qll of us. We love you!!!! Comment publication date: 9/6/26, 9:24 PM Comment source: Fascinating Fernley: Meet Your Neighbors at Living Faith Food Pantry Comment author: R Conley Comment text: Is the deputy receiving any additional training or reinforcing prior training? Comment publication date: 9/5/26, 10:08 AM Comment source: Inmate escapes from Fernley substation Comment author: Kayla Allen Comment text: Suzie was a wonderful woman. I was pleased to call her my "godmother" as she helped me to become a better version of myself. I think about her a lot. Comment publication date: 7/10/26, 8:31 PM Comment source: Susanne Lynn Foster Comment author: Sheena Nash Comment text: After the trivia night is over, I would love for you to print the questions. I grew up in Fernley and would be interested to see how many answers I know. The coin is beautiful. Congrats on 25 years as a city! Comment publication date: 6/22/26, 1:38 PM Comment source: City of Fernley planning 25th anniversary celebration with three days of community events C Comment author: Carl C. Hagen Comment text: Maybe there is more to this story than what is reported, but it seems to me that the businesses that are causing this problem ought to be paying for this, or at least a major portion of it. Why does the County have to pay the whole bill? Just my opinion. Comment publication date: 5/7/26, 10:26 AM Comment source: Storey County, Tesla partner to extend I-80 Patrick on-ramp
The-Fernley-Reporter