Human services faces cuts under proposed budget

Tuesday, June 1, 1999 | 7:23 a.m.

Highlights of the $781.7 million budgeted for human services over the next two years:

TOTAL PERCENTAGE: Cuts the allocation for human services overall to 24 percent of the total state spending from 27 percent currently.

FAMILY TO FAMILY: Reduces funding from $8 million to $5 million for a program providing parenting education and other assistance to young families, started by Gov. Kenny Guinn's predecessor.

NEVADA CHECKUP: Reduces funding from current $5.59 million a year to $2.28 million in fiscal 2000 and $2.29 in fiscal 2001.

MENTAL HEALTH: Increases spending in the Division of Mental Health and Mental Retardation by 20 percent, from $130 million to $161.73 million. Proposed construction of a new mental health hospital in Sparks, at a cost of $10 million, put on hold until 2001.

CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES: From $$50.33 in fiscal 1999 to $54.2 million in fiscal 2000 and to $54 million in fiscal 2001. This includes $4.7 million for a new juvenile lockup. The Department of Child and Family Services oversees juvenile justice programs, child care services and youth community services.

WELFARE: Increases biennial funding to from $110 million to $111.5 million, for programs like welfare to work, assistance to the aged and blind and employment training.

HEALTH: Increases funding for the Health Division by 4 percent, from $26 million to $27 million, for programs like children's clinics, health aid to counties, immunization programs and emergency medical services.

OTHER: Marginally increases budgets for divisions including elderly services and health care financing and policy.