Where I Stand — Mike O’Callaghan: Let’s hear from Washoe

Friday, Jan. 28, 2000 | 9:39 a.m.

Mike O'Callaghan is the Las Vegas Sun executive editor.

WHY DOES A STATE ADMINISTRATOR consider the Washoe County children's services the best in Nevada and the only agency in the state to meet the Child Welfare League of America's standard for accreditation? Because he is dealing with facts and is telling it the way it is.

Susan Voyles, a Reno Gazette-Journal writer, last fall quoted Stephen Shaw, head of the Nevada Division of Children and Family Services, who made this observation of children's services in Nevada counties. Voyles did an outstanding job of reviewing what has and is taking place in Washoe County.

Probably the reasons the Washoe County services have become the best in the state is because of Mailin Stafford, a grand jury report, Michael Capello and Charles McGee.

Mailin Stafford, a 3-year-old, was beaten to death by her stepfather. Mailin's death helped trigger a grand jury investigation, which reported in late 1995. Voyles writes:

" 'Family reunification at any cost must cease,' the grand jury said.

"After a yearlong probe, the grand jury concluded the death of 3-year-old Mailin Stafford could have been avoided had she not been returned to her family after abuse had been reported. Her stepfather beat her to death.

"In all, the 1995 report singled out the deaths of 11 children in 3 1/2 years that resulted in district attorney's office prosecutions for criminal neglect or abuse. Of those, nine involved families that the department had been investigating.

"Since the report, the Children's Protective Services division has made reforms in operations, and the Washoe County Commission has supported doubling its budget and staff."

Then came the appointment of Capello and the leadership and support of District Court Judge Charles McGee. McGee, during recent years, has become the premier legal spokesman for the children of Nevada. His has been the strongest voice since Las Vegas Judge David Zenoff sat on the District Court and later the Supreme Court. McGee has, like Zenoff, ruled with a rare combination of heart and law, which has been followed with action.

So all is well and good in Washoe County? Well, not really, according to McGee and Capello. In 1998 the state Division of Children and Family Services reported 22 cases of neglect and abuse statewide involving foster parents. In Washoe County, according to McGee, two children died, two were badly injured and one was raped in that county's foster homes. The judge told Voyles, "one is way too many." And under his leadership, services for children will continue to improve.

So what's happening in Nevada's most populous county, Clark? Unlike Washoe County, there has been lacking strong leadership, so a group of citizens called the Children's Advocacy Alliance has taken up the cause and brought together several groups to promote better child care. Many of these same people asked the 1997 Nevada Legislature to keep the Southern Nevada Children's Home in Boulder City open. They were cast aside by legislators with ignorant comments like, "The kids are better off in foster care."

Unlike legislators, the Children's Advocacy Alliance continues fighting for children and will be back before the 2001 Legislature and Clark County Commission with ideas worthy of implementation. Eventually the group has to make Clark County politicians look inwardly and consider integrating its services with the state. Also, Clark County must consider better staffing and budgeting to bring down the caseload of welfare and protective service workers as Washoe County has done.

According to testimony given to the 1999 Legislature, during fiscal year 1998 Washoe County received 5,967 reports of abuse and neglect. During the same period of time 35,263 cases were reported in Clark County. More funding and attention should result in better screening and training of foster parents and closer oversight of the homes.

The Children's Advocacy Alliance, led by President Toni Isola-Bayer, Donna Husted, Gard Jameson, Sue Kreeger, Tammy McKennon, Frank McKoy and Cynthia Musgrove, have a message we would rather hear than one like the people of Reno heard from a grand jury in 1995. We have a choice.