Nevada Children's Home Case Files
Access Policy
Case files document the intake, care and release of young children in the Northern and Southern Nevada Children's Homes. Files do not exist for every child cared for over the history of the Home. Most files date from the 1950s-closing of the home; occasionally there are older files. The case files are usually divided into two separate groups of documents: official records and personal records.
The official records that are permanent records of state government, include:
1. Case summary information and historical sheets,
2. Psychological and psychiatric reports,
3. Case reports from social workers,
4. Juvenile court and probation documents, and
5. Correspondence dealing with care in the home.
Sometimes permanent records for whole families are in one folder.
The personal records may include:
1. Correspondence (original and copies) to and from family, friends and the home;
2. Vital records (original and copies) including birth certificates, marriage certificates, social security cards;
3. Church records including baptism, confirmation, first communion and other certificates;
4. School records;
5. Medical and dental records;
6. Photos, greeting cards, awards, certificates and original drawings.
These are sometimes separated in an envelope, sometimes not. Sometimes personal records for whole families are in one envelope.
Access and copying
Former Children's Home residents may look at everything in their own files except the juvenile court and probation documents. These are only accessible through the juvenile court system. The copies in the files exist because the staff at the home needed to have that information to provide proper care for the individual.
Family members of former residents may look at everything in the file except the juvenile court and probation documents; medical and dental records; case reports from social workers; and the psychological and psychiatric reports. Medical files and psychiatric reports are restricted under NRS 629.021-061 and social worker reports are restricted under NRS 49.251-254.
Family members with power of attorney may see everything except juvenile court and probation records.
All official records can be photocopied except juvenile court and probation documents.
Personal files will be given to the individual or to a family member with power of attorney upon completion of Receipt for Personal Items in the Records of the Nevada Children's Homes form.
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