Bill to shift child welfare services OK’d

Thursday, May 31, 2001 | 10:09 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A bill that starts to shift some of the child welfare services of the state to Clark and Washoe counties was approved by the Assembly Ways and Means Committee Wednesday.

Gov. Kenny Guinn had included $20.8 million in his budget for the consolidation but the legislative budget subcommittees reduced it by $9.5 million. Part of the savings came in delaying the start-up for six months.

Over the next two years, the state will transfer its adoption and foster parent programs to the two major counties.

Assembly Bill 343 requires the state Division of Child and Family Services and the two counties to approach the Legislative Interim Finance Committee over the next two fiscal years to get money as the programs are implemented.

And there will be a six-member oversight committee to monitor the progress.

The bill, said Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, has assurances that the two counties will not be financially hurt by taking over the programs.

"We're beginning to do something that is best for children," she said.

The state division will still maintain jurisdiction over "high end kids" -- those with severe emotional problems. Giunchigliani said a consultant would be hired in the interim to draft a plan to also transfer these children to the two major counties.

The shift will take four to six years, she said.

The state division will continue to provide the programs for children in rural Nevada.