N.Y. Times: Children In Peril

Children are being hit hard by the current economic downturn (Op-Ed)...

Children in Peril

Official statistics are not yet readily available, but there is little doubt that poverty and family homelessness are rising, that the quality of public education in many communities is deteriorating and that legions of children are losing access to health care as their parents join the vastly expanding ranks of the unemployed.

N.Y. Times: Too Old for Foster Care

Too Old for Foster Care, and Facing the Recession in New York

Even in boom times, young people who become too old for the foster-care system often struggle to make it on their own, lacking families, job skills or adequate educations. Now, the recession has made the challenges of life after foster care even more formidable, especially for those seeking federal housing vouchers, which are contingent on having an income.

Octuplet Mom: Future Child Welfare Case?

The case of the "Octomom" seems destined for the child welfare system (in California)...

Chaos and clashes undermine help for octuplet mom (AP)

The constant tit-for-tat surrounding Suleman has kept the story alive two months after she made medical history as the mother of the world's longest-living set of octuplets. But it appears to have won her few friends.

Suleman has characterized herself as naive and too trusting of others, but those who have been close to her see it differently.

"They have a unique way of using people," former publicist Joann Killeen said of Suleman and her parents. "Manipulating people, getting what they want and moving on."

No friends or relatives have come forward to publicly vouch for her. She's told psychologists who examined her for a work-related injury and news media that she's been too busy having children to maintain adult relationships.

Suleman, who has no siblings, has sparred bitterly with her mother on the Internet, and her father has questioned her mental stability.

Perhaps most notable is the absence of a father to her 14 children, who were all conceived through in vitro fertilization. Suleman has taken a vow of celibacy, saying she doesn't believe she should date until her babies graduate high school.

Public fascination with Suleman began to sour before she ever left the hospital, as her identity was leaked and details of her life began trickling out: She had six other children at home and had been jobless since 1999, living on disability payments, food stamps and student loans while birthing her brood.

Nevada Ranks Poorly in Homeless Youth Report

Nevada Ranks Poorly in Homeless Youth Report
(KLAS-TV, 3/10)

Being without a home is not easy on anyone, but homelessness can be even more difficult for children. A new report shows just how many children have experienced homelessness in this country, and the numbers are shocking.

One in 50 kids have experienced homelessness. The report also says that most states don't have adequate services for the children. Researchers say the problem is getting worse.

Whitney Elementary has one of the highest populations of homeless students in the Clark County School District. This new report says more than 10,000 children in Nevada are without a home.

Read the Report

L.A. Times: Computers in Child Welfare

How computers call the shots for L.A. County children in peril
(Los Angeles Times, 3/8)

The process starts with a tip to Los Angeles County’s child abuse hotline. Over the course of a typical week, the Department of Children and Family Services receives 3,000 calls.

Those that meet the legal threshold -- as determined by the computer and verified by a worker -- are routed to investigators like Winzer. The process is usually inaccessible to outsiders because of child confidentiality rules, but over four days The Times had the rare opportunity to witness it.

KLAS-TV: Child Care Cuts

Child Services Hoping for More Money
(KLAS-TV, 3/4)

Nearly 4,000 low-income Nevada families, in which both parents work, currently get state assistance to help pay their child care costs. But budget cuts have now eliminated those funds for more than 100 of the poorest working families. Hundreds more remain on a waiting list.

Without that child care assistance, many of Nevada's poorest working parents might be forced to quit working or leave their children in an unsafe situation while they try to hang on to their jobs.

"It comes down to a choice of do I buy groceries or do I pay for child care?" said Debbie Altman.

AP: Child Services Cuts Debated

Child Services Cuts Debated
(AP, via KLAS-TV, 2/17)

Representatives from Washoe and Clark counties, Nevada's largest, told legislators at a joint Senate-Assembly budget hearing that they're anticipating a ripple effect in the need for services because of the economic downturn.

The Tax Debate Begins

The serious debate on taxes has finally begun. This in-depth article in the Sun is an indication...

A tax system by default, not by plan
At first, Nevada expected little revenue from gaming. Here’s how that changed over time.
(Las Vegas Sun, 1/25)

Taxes in Nevada will have to rise. There is simply no choice, other than abandoning all functions of government (like child welfare and juvenile justice). I believe that the debate will end with a state income tax, but it will be a painful process getting there. There will be endless posturing and beating around the bush by politicians, but it has to happen.

Here is my newsletter on taxes a year ago.

R-J: Crisis Coming for Family Services

JOHN L. SMITH: Real scandal is yet to come for Family Services when ax falls
(Las Vegas Review-Journal, 1/13)

It's no secret DFS serves more clients with fewer dollars than many counties. Example: Allegheny County, Pa., with its 1.3 million population, sets a high standard nationally by spending $179 per citizen for its child welfare budget. Clark County, by contrast, spends about $50, Morton says.

Although the growth of the community has slowed, the local economy has foundered. And the rampant abuse of methamphetamine continues to devastate families and add stress to the DFS. As low-income families grow increasingly desperate, still more pressure is applied to the DFS net.

Now comes the really bad news: Without relief, DFS will take a devastating hit at the upcoming Legislature.

Photo source

Head of Child Haven Sacked

KLAS-TV: Head of Child Haven Removed (1/6)

I have known Lou Palma for several years and regard him as decent and dedicated. To get fired by the County (vs. merely demoted), the offense has to be pretty significant. I can't imagine a mere accounting lapse would be enough. There must be something else going on (perhaps some other political issue or dissatisfaction with his work performance).

Here is the newspaper story the following day...

Review-Journal: Fired head of children's shelter critical of audit (1/8)