Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Governor seeks boost for program that helps disabled, but funding uncertain

Sun Coverage

CARSON CITY – Despite budget reductions, Gov. Brian Sandoval wants to increase the number of low-income families who receive state assistance to care for relatives with severe mental handicaps.

But the governor is betting the state will receive a $22 million settlement in arbitration with tobacco companies, and part of that money would go to the Family Preservation Program.

There are now 528 low-income families that receive an average grant of $374 a month to care for their relative. The governor is recommending that number be raised to 626 families by June 30, 2013.

The governor wants to use $1.2 million of the $22 million in the second year of the biennium to grow the program, which is aimed at keeping families intact and avoiding placing those with severe mental handicaps in a state institution.

The Assembly Ways and Means Committee on Saturday directed the state Division of Mental Health and Developmental Services to proceed with caution in adding families over the next two years due to the uncertainty of the state getting the tobacco settlement money.

The arbitration between the tobacco companies and several states has been ongoing since July 2010. It's unclear when it will be settled.

Assemblywoman April Mastroluca, D-Henderson, said the “safest” course was to follow the recommendation of the governor but warn the mental health division to proceed with caution because of uncertainty in the state getting money in the next two years.

Mike Willden, director of the state Department of Health and Human Services, told the committee that the $22 million is apportioned to many budgets in his agencies.

“We have a lot of holes in the budget,” he said.

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