Funding secured for state volunteers

Tuesday, July 9, 2002 | 9:43 a.m.

The Nevada Commission for National and Community Service has secured $1.5 million for Nevada's AmeriCorps program.

The 35 percent increase in funding will go into four main service areas: public safety, education, human and environmental services.

With the increase, the BEST Coalition of Clark County (Bringing Everyone's Strengths Together) will begin operation with 20 part-time members working with issues such as youth violence, discrimination and drug and alcohol abuse issues.

The Great Basin Institute/Nevada Conservation Corps will also double the amount of AmeriCorps volunteers in Northern and Southern Nevada in meeting environmental concerns.

Some of the new funding will also go to the Great Basin Primary Care Association/Statewide Patient Advocate Program to improve access to mental and physical health for needy citizens, and to the Family Resource Centers of Northeastern Nevada to improve health care for children birth to age 8.

Programs such as the Parasol Foundation/Together For a Better Community in Incline Village, the Boys and Girls Clubs and the U.S Veterans Initiative will continue to be funded by the commission for work in the community.