Nevada Children’s Center (NCC) offers fun and interactive solutions for parents and families who have children in need of playing their way to happiness.

Since it’s inception in 1991, the Center has had the privilege of serving children suffering from severe emotional and behavioral disorders, or the traumatic aftermath of abuse and neglect.

Nevada Children’s Center provides licensed social workers, degreed behavioral specialists, clinical assessments and therapeutic day treatment among other services. SUPERVISING PROFESSIONALS INCLUDE: Michelle Lisoskie, MD, Neuropsychologist Dr. Thomas Kinsora, and Garnette McCracken, LCSW. They can provide therapeutic, psychiatric, and neuropsych assessments and treatments.

Originally founded in 1991, the Nevada Children's Center began helping young victims of abuse, neglect, and severe behavioral mental disorders. Then called the Las Vegas Center for Children, organizing founder Dr. Herman van Betten spearheaded a movement with an elite founding board shortly after the death of his schizophrenic son.

At the time, scarce options existed for Las Vegas residents with young children suffering from mental afflictions. Behavioral modification or mental health treatment was limited to: hospitalization, California institutions, or lavish procedures afforded only by the wealthy. Dr. van Betten, devastated by the loss of his son, vowed to help families below the poverty line knowing they were unable to help their children at all.

In conjunction with the San Diego Children's Center, who generously supplied a working model and professional guidance, the Nevada Children's Center was founded in Las Vegas, Nevada.

By 1996 the Center had successfully treated over 2,000 children and expansion efforts filled board rooms and halls with great enthusiasm. The board voted to expand services and change the name from Las Vegas Center for Children to Nevada Children’s Center. On May 23, 1996, the IRS acknowledged the expansion with a continued non-profit 501(C)(3) designation and name change.

A decade later a new building was purchased at 5615 S. Pecos Road in Las Vegas, Nevada. The organization continued to thrive, until economic hardship shook the United States. Early into the millennium, the stock market and automotive industries plunged. The Nevada Children's Center, among many others, struggled to weather the storm. Despite what appeared to be insurmountable challenges, then acting President, Dr. Thomas Kinsora, a very reputable local neuropsychologist, recharted a course in 2009 emerging successfully with a miraculous rebound.

As the torch was passed from Dr. Kinsora to current president Carolyn Sparks, the board of directors decided it was time for another great change. With new administrative staff in place, an innovative and exciting Executive Director, and completely new brand the Nevada Children’s Center started anew. New staff, a fabulous marketing campaign, and great programming continue to make the Nevada Children’s Center, the ideal place for treating local children in the Las Vegas community.

Despite State threats to limit or eliminate day treatment facilities, the Nevada Children's Center will remain dedicated to its mission to treat children in need. After all, who can deny the outcomes, when smiling little faces fill the halls with laughter (and a few other emotions as well) to fill the hearts of the community with the joy of making a difference.

Today, having treated and healed abuse and neglect victims, behaviorally challenged children, and their families for over 20 years, you will still see Dr. Herman van Betten, now 80, on any given Tuesday, stopping by to assist with administrative or financial aspects of the operations. Join us in our mission today!