Four candidates interviewing for new child-welfare post

Adrienne Packer

Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2001 | 10:36 a.m.

Four out-of-state candidates are interviewing with county and state officials this week for director of a new Clark County child-welfare system that will integrate state and local services by 2004.

Lawmakers during the past legislative session voted to transfer foster care and adoption services to Clark and Washoe counties, with the state overseeing those programs in the rural areas.

"It's not simply moving people over from the state to the county, and the system works the same way," said Joy Salmon, the child welfare integration manager. "Our intent is to provide a more efficient and timely response to families and children."

The new director is crucial to ensuring a smooth transition, Salmon said.

More than 50 applications submitted to the county were narrowed down to nine and, earlier this month, to four. Salmon said the four finalists, whom she declined to name, will be interviewed during the next two weeks.

The last stage of the interviewing process before the director is named in November will include presentations to state and county representatives and other stakeholders, such as school officials and welfare administrators.

Salmon said the county accepted applications from both local and out-of-state candidates.

"We wanted the best candidate we could bring in, local or national," Salmon said. "It just happened to be a person from out of state."

County Manager Thom Reilly will make the final recommendation to the Clark County Commission.

The transition includes transferring 145 state employees to the county. The first phase of the shift will occur next year, and the transfers will be staggered thereafter.

The greatest source of contention thus far in relation to the transition has revolved around the fate of benefits such as longevity pay, sick leave and vacations.

Salmon said the new system is expected to better serve abused and neglected children.