September 30, 2010

Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded more than $3.6 million in grant funding for various programs in Nevada.  A wide range of community health programs, government services, and non-profit organizations will receive this funding in order to better facilitate health, child welfare, judicial, and prevention services.
 
“I thank Secretary Sebelius for recognizing the need to keep these programs funded properly to continue serving Nevada’s youth, families and those in need,” Reid said.  “Sometimes Nevadans need a helping hand and programs like these go a long way in that effort.”
 
Following is a list and description of grants:
 
QUALITY MEDICAL CARE
 

• The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services was awarded $200,000 to fund the Money Follows the Person Planning program. The purpose of the program, established in 2005 and further expanded in 2010 by the Affordable Care Act, is to transform the long-term care of Medicaid recipients from institutions to home and community based services that are more “person-centric.” The funds will be used to improve the quality of HCBS as well as allow Medicaid recipients to receive adequate long-term care.
• Nevada’s Office of Minority Health’s Strengthening Public Health Infrastructure for Improved Health Outcomes program was given $200,000 to increase its performance. The funding will be used to increase management capacity of the office and guarantee public health goals are understood and met.
• The Orvis School of Nursing, located on UNR’s campus, received $235,270 for research on electrocardiographic evaluation of ischemia. Ischemia is a medical condition that deals with restriction of blood supply in individuals due to blood vessels. The study will focus on the invasive procedures used in ischemia cases and alternative procedures that may be used when handling such cases.

 
CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES
 

• The Clark County Department of Family Services was granted $389,637 for the further implementation of the Diligent Recruitment Program. This funding will be used to implement a recruitment program for resource families and identify sites that may be used for foster program guidance.
• The Washoe County Department of Social Services received $1,985,939 for programs that will find permanent homes for children in foster care in less than three years. The programs will focus on identifying barriers to permanent placement for children leaving the foster care system and strive to eliminate the barriers as well as secure additional investments from Federal, State and local sources.
• Tahoe Youth & Family received $121,162 to assist in funding the basic centers program.  This program allows access to a safe location for Nevada’s youth to spend time, providing visitors with games, movies, and internet access. The centers also educate the local youth on teen pregnancy, homelessness, gang involvement, and drug and alcohol use.
• The Judiciary Courts of Nevada have been granted $325,000 in assistance for the Adult Drug Courts. The courts have served as a model court to assist women who encounter child custody issues because of drug addiction problems. The funding will be used to further this program as well as the other courts under their jurisdiction, including the Juvenile Drug Court which focuses on minors will drug problems.

 
HOMELESS AND RUNAWAY PROGRAMS
 

• The Children’s Cabinet was granted $100,000 in support of the centers the organization offers local communities in Reno.  The funds will be used in providing services to homeless, runaway, and abducted youth. The centers provide youth with a secure environment to participate in a variety of activities including discussion groups and runaway mentoring programs.
• WestCare, Inc. received $100,000 to expand an Anti-Homelessness Youth Street Program that provides shelter and treatment to juveniles who have been victimized by sex and human trafficking, with a focus on those who have been forced into prostitution.