Letter: Former foster youths are being helped efficiently

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2004 | 8:49 a.m.

This is in response to the Jan. 15 article by Timothy Pratt regarding the Assembly Bill 94 money for former foster youths. I felt Mr. Pratt's article implied that there has been a lot of foot-dragging and that funds are just sitting. Let me shed some light.

The bill was passed by the 2001 Legislature. It authorized county recorders to charge additional fees for various services and to deposit those additional fees with the state treasurer for credit to an account to assist persons formerly in foster care. By May 2002 the fund had grown to about $600,000. In July 2002, I discussed a plan to distribute the money with the administrator of the Division of Child and Family Services.

Another meeting was held in August 2002 after we had chosen a committee to oversee disbursement. We had to decide how the funds would be spent and who would be the fiscal agent.

We had to start by locating the eligible youths -- not an easy job. By March 2003 we started disbursing funds. We knew going into this that it would be a work in progress. We now know the funds are more than anticipated, so we are looking at providing health care insurance to these youths, using federal matching funds. Those not yet 21 would be eligible for this benefit, but we are thinking of extending that age to 23 or even 24.

This entire process could have been done a little faster, maybe by two or three months but no more. This was a good bill and it is serving a population that really needs it. It is working and so is the committee overseeing it.

DONNA COLEMAN

Editor's note: Donna Coleman is president of the Children's Advocacy Alliance, a nonprofit group based in Southern Nevada that works to protect children who have been the victims of abuse or neglect.