Nevada

Nevada’s first jail-based competency treatment program launches in Washoe County

Published

2 months ago

February 24, 2026

Nevada’s first jail-based competency treatment program launches in Washoe County

In partnership with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), NaphCare, a leading correctional healthcare company, has launched the THRIVE Jail-Based Competency Treatment (JBCT) program at the Washoe County Detention Facility — the first program of its kind in Nevada.

The JBCT program delivers full competency restoration services within the detention facility to individuals whom the court has found incompetent to stand trial. By providing treatment on-site, the program prevents delays in the restoration process and reduces reliance on limited state forensic hospital beds.

The program builds on the facility’s innovative THRIVE Jail-Based Treatment Program (JBTP), which launched in September 2024 to begin intensive mental health treatment for individuals awaiting restoration at the state-operated forensic hospital. As a fully implemented JBCT program, THRIVE now provides comprehensive competency restoration services directly within the jail — something previously not permitted in Nevada. This advancement allows detained individuals to receive targeted treatment and evaluations needed to restore competency and move their legal cases forward.

“The THRIVE Jail-Based Competency Treatment program represents years of work by the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office to rethink how detention facilities respond to mental health,” said Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam. “This program reflects what can happen when public safety, healthcare professionals, and community partners come together with a shared goal. By expanding mental health treatment inside our facility, we’re helping individuals move forward in the legal process while supporting safer outcomes for our staff, our community, and those in our care suffering from mental health issues.”

THRIVE operates within a dedicated Jail-Based Mental Health Unit designed to increase patient participation, promote wellness, and maintain safety and security. Specially trained WCSO deputies assigned to the unit collaborate daily with NaphCare’s clinical team to create a structured, therapeutic environment focused on restoration and recovery.

Across the country, correctional facilities are experiencing a surge in court-ordered competency evaluations and restoration needs, driven by increasing numbers of individuals living with mental illness and disabilities in jail settings.

“The competency crisis has grown within correctional facilities nationwide as more justice-involved individuals are waiting for the specialized services they need to advance through the justice system,” said Dr. Caroline Parrott, NaphCare’s Vice President of Forensic Mental Health Programs and a clinical forensic psychologist.

Delays in restoration prolong detention, increase costs to taxpayers, and raise due process concerns, including the right to a speedy trial. The longer individuals wait for treatment, the longer it can take to restore competency — and in some cases, the likelihood of restoration decreases. Extended delays can also result in case dismissals, impacting victims and the broader justice system.

The JBCT program is the culmination of years of partnership and progress between NaphCare and WCSO. In March 2023, NaphCare partnered with WCSO to address lengthy delays in competency evaluations for detained individuals. With support from the Washoe County Competency Court, NaphCare began delivering high-quality, timely competency-to-stand-trial evaluations for all defendants housed at the Washoe County Detention Facility, eliminating unnecessary delays at the front end of the process.

Building on that success, NaphCare worked closely with WCSO and local and statewide stakeholders to develop and implement the THRIVE jail-based treatment model. In July 2025, Assembly Bill 467 amended Nevada Revised Statutes to authorize competency restoration treatment within jail settings for certain detained individuals, making the full JBCT program possible.

“Thanks to the efforts of Nevada’s legislators, the Governor’s office, and the support of key community and state stakeholders such as the Division of Public and Behavioral Health and WCSO,” said Dr. Parrott, “THRIVE is able to provide targeted competency restoration treatment so we can directly address barriers to competency head on. The result is faster rates of restoration without burdening the state system unnecessarily. This program is a valuable step forward for our patients and for the legal process in Washoe County.”

Individuals in the THRIVE JBCT program receive individualized mental health and medical treatment alongside specialized forensic services provided by a multidisciplinary team. In addition to the JBCT program, NaphCare continues to provide the Washoe County Forensic Evaluation Program for pre-commitment competency evaluations and specialized adult mental health evaluations, as well as comprehensive medical, mental health, dental, and pharmaceutical services, including Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and Opioid Treatment Programs (OTP).

The Washoe County Detention Facility is accredited by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) and was a 2024 recipient of the NCCHC Pinnacle Award, the highest distinction in correctional healthcare, recognizing accreditation across jail health services, mental health services, and opioid treatment programs.

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Nevada

Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada marks 85 years, now serving 4,500 daily

Published

2 hours ago

April 16, 2026

Press Room

Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada marks 85 years, now serving 4,500 daily

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada is marking 85 years of service on April 16th, a milestone that leaders say reflects both the organization’s growth and the region’s ongoing needs.

The nonprofit says it traces its early roots to Northern Nevada and later expanded into Southern Nevada to help people after the building of the Hoover Dam. Historical photos from the organization show its footprint widening over the decades as Las Vegas grew.

Today, Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada operates 16 programs and serves about 4,500 individuals every day, according to President and CEO Sara Ramirez, who adds the organization’s work is driven by three core values: families, food, and housing.

“No one promised us an easy life. If you have a solid family base around or support system around you, you’re more likely to overcome the crisis and not only overcome but overcome it quickly back to a state of normalcy,” Ramirez said.

On food security, Ramirez said, “Food is life and that is imperative regardless of whether your are a newborn child or a senior in our Meals on Wheels program.”

For housing stability, Ramirez noted the 400-bed men’s shelter and the St. Vincent Apartments, a 120-unit apartment complex on the Catholic Charities campus that provides a place to stay for people who are unhoused or facing housing instability.

The anniversary comes as Clark County awaits results from the annual point-in-time count, a census of people living without a permanent home that took place in January. The last census found nearly 8,000 people experiencing homelessness on a single night.

While the official count is still being tallied, Nicole Anderson, vice president of social services, described what she witnessed during the count.

“To go out in the community at 4, 5 in the morning, and intentionally look for people and see the areas they’re sleeping in; to see a young woman, under a blanket in a corner because that’s the only place she can stay warm, it’s heartbreaking,” Anderson said.

Anderson spoke with us in a classroom. “Clients work off these computers,” she said, describing the space where people can learn — or in some cases re-learn — employment skills, including how to interview, as they work to regain stability.

“They have to be ready, seeing them, make those changes and be confident again, and lean on these case managers and on each other, there’s a cool thing that happens naturally and organically,” Anderson said.

Ramirez also described what she called a growing trend of older people experiencing homelessness and shared what a daily meal can mean for someone struggling. “He had shared, Sara, my life is hard but for one hour every day, I can come to the dining hall, find a meal and find peace,” Ramirez said.

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Nevada

Enrollment period almost over for Nevada’s prepaid tuition program

Published

14 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Press Room

Enrollment period almost over for Nevada’s prepaid tuition program

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — The enrollment period for the Nevada prepaid tuition program is almost over.

Wednesday, April 15, is the final day to create an account for the current enrollment period.

It’s a chance for parents to jumpstart their children’s education by starting to save now.

Nevada State Treasurer Zach Conine joined us to talk more about how you can lock in future tuition at today’s rates.

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Visit nvigate.gov to learn more and to open your account.

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Nevada

Nevada designates Sunrise Hospital as Level 1 trauma center in Las Vegas

Published

1 day ago

April 14, 2026

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Nevada designates Sunrise Hospital as Level 1 trauma center in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center has been officially designated as a Level I Trauma Center by the State of Nevada, the highest level of trauma care available, the hospital announced Tuesday.

The designation is expected to strengthen the Las Vegas hospital’s ability to recruit and train leading physicians, advance trauma research and deliver the highest level of care for the community.

“We extend our sincere appreciation to Governor Lombardo for recognizing the need for this important designation and allowing us the ability to train and attract top-tier physicians in Nevada and engage in trauma research,” said Todd P. Sklamberg, CEO of Sunrise Hospital. “We also want to recognize our physicians, first responders, regulatory partners and the broader community for their continued support throughout this process.”

MORE: Sunrise Trauma sees rise e-bike, e-scooter injuries in early 2026, many brain-related

Level I Trauma Centers are equipped to deliver total care for every aspect of injury — from prevention through rehabilitation — and must meet rigorous standards established by state and national accrediting bodies.

The designation also affirms Sunrise Hospital’s commitment to clinical excellence, continuous research and education in trauma care.

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“Congratulations to Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center on this extraordinary milestone that will strengthen Nevada’s healthcare system and move our state forward,” Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo said. “Level I Trauma Center designation reflects the highest standard of care and ensures that communities in Southern Nevada have access to lifesaving services when they need them most. I am deeply grateful for the dedicated healthcare professionals and first responders whose commitment continues to elevate patient care across the state.”

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