The Crisis in the Children’s Mental Health Care System in Nevada and the Role of Occupational Licensing Boards

Abstract

Introduction

Occupational licensure has a function in society to ensure that public health and safety are protected from bad actors. Additionally, licensing boards have the gatekeeping role in assuring those public health and safety ideals. Nevada ranks as the worst state to live in for children with mental or behavioral health care needs. This paper explores the role of licensing boards in the children’s mental health crisis.

Methods

Policy Surveillance methodology is applied to compare the statutory and regulatory structure of occupational licensing boards for social workers in select states. Social Workers are one of the many behavioral health care professionals that support the mental and behavioral health care needs of children. Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Nevada are compared for purposes of determining if substantial differences exist in the statutory and regulatory structure.

Results

Statutory and regulatory differences among boards of social workers do exist between the top three ranked states for quality of life for children living with mental or behavioral health care need and Nevada. Geographic mobility, board composition, licensure types, hours under supervision, and qualification of supervisors are key elements that drive these differences.

Conclusion

Social workers are not the only profession that support the needs of children living with mental or behavioral health care needs and their families. Additional research is necessary for other occupational licensing boards within Nevada. No single recommendation can bring Nevada out of its last place ranking, but systematic changes need to be part of the array of options in a statewide effort.

Full paper available on ResearchGate: The Crisis in the Children’s Mental Health Care System in Nevada and the Role of Occupational Licensing Boards