KIDSPEACE OPENS THERAPEUTIC FOSTER CARE AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS IN NEVADA
Community Services funded
through federal grant and MGM International
LAS VEGAS, NV June 14, 2010 –
KidsPeace Inc.,
the national children’s charity dedicated to serving the behavioral and mental
health needs of children, families and communities, announced today that it is
launching a Nevada Foster Care and Community Programs initiative, based in Las
Vegas. The 128-year-old
nonprofit currently provides foster care and community services in the states
of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Maryland, Maine, North Carolina, New York, New
Jersey, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
With offices located at 1785 E.
Sahara Ave., Suite 445, the center will hold an Open House for the community
Wednesday, June 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The KidsPeace therapeutic foster care model recruits
foster care families who are then trained and licensed with the expectation of
providing a home to children who have a mental health diagnosis. With a
population of 1.94 million people, this region of Nevada has the fastest-growing
need and insufficient resources to provide the services, according to the Clark
County Department of Family Services (DFS). The DFS estimates that there are approximately 2,300 Nevada
children ranging from toddlers to teens who need foster families. The federal
government estimates that $14 is saved in court and corrections system costs
annually for every $1 spent on therapeutic foster care.
“KidsPeace is proud to launch this effort here in
Nevada that will license qualified families to provide loving homes to children
with mental and behavioral issues,” said Nina Edwards, KidsPeace Nevada State
Manager. “This approach helps
foster children heal and eventually leads to permanent living situations with
birth families, other relatives, adoptive families or to independent living
situations when they age out of the system.”
The KidsPeace care model includes Rehabilitative
Mental Health interventions and Basic Skills Training (BST) services designed
to reduce cognitive and behavioral impairments. The program teaches young
people a variety of life skills including: basic living and self-care, social,communication, time
management, organizational and transitional living skills. There is also a component of parental
training in the program.
Initial startup funding for the new KidsPeace
program was provided through a $754,000 grant from the U.S. Department of
Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. In addition, a
$26,685 grant from MGM International is funding office, furniture and equipment
needs.
Joining Edwards in the Nevada offices are Charlene
Marteja, Family Resource Specialist, and a medical supervisor. In addition, a
family consultant and a secretary will be hired in the near future.
The Open House will include a ribbon cutting
ceremony and remarks by William Isemann, KidsPeace President & CEO. A training for Clark County community
providers will take place at 1:30 p.m.
Laura Boyd, PhD for the Foster Family-Based Treatment Association, will
present, “Public Policy and Therapeutic Foster Care – National Trends.”
To register for the Open House or for more
information about Nevada KidsPeace Foster Care and Community Programs, call
(702) 576-0533 or www.kidspeace.org