Family to Family funds are restored

Monday, May 7, 2001 | 10:36 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- One of former Gov. Bob Miller's pet programs -- the Family to Family Connection -- is back at full strength.

A legislative subcommittee has rejected Gov. Kenny Guinn's suggestion to downsize the program and transfer some of its functions to another area.

Guinn had cut the budget to $627,489 per year. But the subcommittee restored it Thursday to more than $2.2 million, where it has been for the past two years. Most of the money goes to support baby centers, where new parents can get help in coping with infants' problems.

Last fiscal year an estimated 24,900 families visited centers or attended classes on parenting skills, toddler safety and health tips.

Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, said there has been strong support from the community to retain these programs.

The governor had suggested that some of the services be transferred to Family Resource Centers, which operate 40 centers that provide at-risk families with an array of services.

During a hearing on the program in February there were complaints that eight rural baby centers would be forced to share $12,000 and would probably have to close their doors.

Despite a $121.5 million shortfall in state revenues, Giunchigliani said the subcommittee was able to make changes in the budget to provide the money for Family to Family.

She said Guinn's proposal to create a special grants management unit in the state Department of Human Resources was rejected, and the money was redirected back to Family to Family.

In addition, the subcommittee voted to increase the money going to community training centers that offer services to the mentally retarded.

The extra money, said Giunchigliani would permit raises of 3 percent to the workers in these centers next year and 1.44 percent the following year.