Child-welfare appointment weighed

Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2001 | 9:16 a.m.

Clark County could take a significant step forward with plans for a new, integrated child welfare system if the appointment of Susan Klein-Rothschild, a nationally recognized expert in the field, is approved by the County Commissioners today.

Clark County Manager Thom Reilly put his appointment of Klein-Rothschild as director of Child Welfare Services on today's County Commission meeting agenda. If the appointment is approved, Klein-Rothschild will assume her post in January.

One of four finalists for the job from a field of more than 50 applicants, Klein-Rothschild previously headed Colorado's state child welfare program. She has been a national consultant on child welfare for the last seven years.

During the past legislative session lawmakers approved the transfer of state-controlled foster care and adoption services to Clark and Washoe counties. The state will continue to supervise the programs in rural areas.

Under the prior system, authorities in the two counties were involved in getting at-risk children out of bad homes. The children were then transferred to the state Division of Child and Family Services for foster care and adoption, which caused delays.

Joy Salmon, the child welfare integration manager for Clark County, said in an earlier interview that the new director would be crucial to ensuring a smooth transition, which includes tranferring 145 state employees to the county.