Nevada Department of Health and Human Services Director Mike Willden today announced that the State of Nevada will receive $2.9 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration of Child and Family Services (DCFS). “This grant will expand and enhance Nevada’s efforts to provide greater support to children affected by methamphetamine use in their families,” Willden said.
The funds will be spread over five years with the goals of enhancing existing service capacity in Clark County by increasing timely access to appropriate substance abuse treatment and integrating child welfare and substance abuse treatment agencies to improve safety, permanency and well- being of children and families affected by methamphetamine abuse and child maltreatment.
“Methamphetamine abuse in Nevada continues to be a huge problem that directly impacts abuse and neglect of children whose caregivers are addicted to the substance,” stated Amber Howell, Administrator for the Division of Child and Family Services. “With these funds, Nevada will be better able to continue aggressive efforts to treat mothers who have substance abuse problems and enhance services to children and their families.”
The federal dollars came as a result of the strategies developed in a collaborative effort with the state Health Division, Nevada Attorney General’s Office, Court Improvement Project, Eighth Judicial District Court, Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Agency, Clark County Department of Family Services and WestCare.
Howell added, “I would like to express my appreciation to our federal partners for granting Nevada this funding and would also like to convey my gratitude to the following individuals for their contribution to the application process: : Chris Lovass-Nagy, Project Director, Division of Child and Family Services; Andrew Ziser, Project Coordinator; Debbie Tanaka, Division of Child and Family Services; Heather Shoop, Kevin Morss, and Amy Roukie, WestCare; Steve Roll and Michael Lea, Eighth Judicial Courts; and Betsey Fedor, Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Agency.”
